Chloe and Melvin watched in horror as CNN made another breaking news report this time from outside London.

"The whole world's being sucked into hell," Melvin whispered.

"For another attack to take place Nickel must have failed and Sheldon too," Chloe said as fresh tears started fill her eyes. "I can't believe this happened," she whispered. "I lost my whole family."

Melvin reached out and took her hand and gently squeezed it. "Chloe I hate to say this but I think you know which target is next."

Chloe looked up at him in horror. "Washington?" She asked in a whispered panic.

Melvin nodded his head yes. "Call Paul and tell him, as Secretary of Defense he should at least know who is responsible for all of this."

Chloe numbly made her way to the phone and dialled Paul's personal number. "Can I speak to the Secretary of Defense?" She asked trying to sound calm.

"He's not in," the female voice replied.

"This is Chloe Washington, CIA Director Nickel Washington's wife. This is a matter of National Security. I must speak to…" Chloe started in a firm tone, drawing looks from the attending medical staff.

"Sorry ma'am but he's out of the country with your husband," the voice replied.

Chloe turned to Melvin in silent horror.

"What?" Melvin asked with a frown.

"We are all in a lot of trouble," she said hanging up. "Nickel's ace was the Secretary of Defense."

"Damn it," Melvin cursed. "I guess now is a good time to start to panic."

Chloe turned back to the television screen and sighed heavily. "I don’t know what to do Mel," she whispered sadly. "For the first time in my life I am truly alone."

********

Nickel watched in horror as the room before him exploded into a bright light and he was hurled backward into the wall he felt his body slam roughly and then crumple to the floor in a bruised and battered heap. He quickly ripped the tape from his mouth and fumbled for the pocketknife he had so that he could cut his hands free. He made a move for the knife and felt a sharp pain in his chest once again.

Nickel cried out from the pain in his chest but knew he had to try again to get free. He looked at the fallen man beside him and felt for a pulse. But when he made a move to check the man's neck his head moved to reveal an ever-growing pool of blood and Nickel knew the man was dead.

He heard Caleb calling for Sheldon and getting no reply. Nickel felt his heart start to race at the thought that his daughter might have been caught in the blast. "Sheldon?" He too called out weakly. Still no reply. Have to get free, Nickel told himself. He finally spied the fallen knife beside him, grabbed it and started to cut his bonds away when he saw a figure coming through the smoke towards him. He pushed himself painfully to his knees and waited with the knife ready in his hand.

********

Caleb felt the blast to his left and was then hurled along with the group of men holding him to the floor and across it. He felt the heat of the blast warm his left side and knew he had sustained some minor burns and injuries. He tried to push himself free of the tangle of arms and legs he was in when a large hand hit him square on the back. Caleb flew forwards but managed to put his hands out and stop himself from crashing into the floor face first. He brought his leg up behind him and kicked the thug in the face causing him to fall back to the floor beside his friend.

"Sheldon!" Caleb called out in a panic. He squinted through the smoke and ever growing fire in hopes of seeing where the blast had thrown her. He couldn't see or hear her. "Sheldon?" Caleb tried again as he pushed himself to his feet and stood up. He looked around for Regan and frowned when he didn't see him. "Damn it!" He cursed as he grabbed a gun and headed for Nickel. Have to free him, he said inside.

********

Sheldon watched in horrible slow motion as her world shattered into tiny bright lights. She felt herself being hurled backwards by the blast and crash into a large cabinet. She cried out as she felt her shoulder pop out of place before slamming to the floor face first. She pushed herself to her knees and wiped the blood from her nose. Sheldon turned to the cabinet and slammed back into it with her right shoulder putting it painfully back in. She cried out in pain but due to the sound from the fire and alarms going off doubted anyone would hear her. She turned and frantically looked for Caleb but due to the smoke making her eyes water clearly seeing him was not possible.

Then out of the corner of her eye she spied movement and knew it was Regan trying to make his escape. Sheldon wasted no time in grabbing a nearby gun and following after him down the smoke filled hallway.

********

"A direct hit sir," Commander James said to the Secretary of Defense.

"But the dot is still moving. Target that dot and fire again Commander," was the order given.

"Yes sir," Commander James said as he gave the order to hit again. Paul turned his gaze out the window as the second missile left the chamber of the F-18 and headed for Regan's lair.

********

Caleb rushed to Nickel to see him with his knife raised. "It's me Caleb sir," Caleb said quickly.

"Cut me loose," Nickel said in a firm voice. "Where's Sheldon?"

"Don’t know but I think Regan is missing also," Caleb said as he finally cut the tape away. "We have to stop him."

"I think that…" Nickel started only to be silenced once more by another loud explosion that sent both of them flying back into the wall. "Damn it," Nickel cursed as he slowly got up. "I'm too old for this."

He looked over at Caleb who was slow to get up and noticed the ever growing spot of blood on his side. "What the hell is that?" He asked rushing to Caleb to see if he was okay. "Are you hit?"

"No it's an old wound," Caleb winced as he sat up. "I think I'll live."

"You better," Nickel said with a smile as he extended his hand and helped Caleb stand up. "I just couldn't bear the thought of Sheldon losing the man she loves," he said with a smile.

"I have to find her," Caleb said quickly.

"Her job as well as yours is to stop Regan Taylor at any cost. Sheldon survived the blast like we did and is probably after Regan right now. You have to go and help her," Nickel said firmly. "Stop him at any cost. That's an order!"

"But we have to find her," Caleb said firmly as he grabbed his gun again.

"Don’t worry, Sheldon's been through worse," Nickel said with a smile. "Now go!"

"Who's firing on us?"

"The Calvary," Nickel said snidely. "Where's Lukas?"

"Probably escaping as well," Caleb said.

"You go and find Sheldon, I'll stop Lukas. My guess is Regan's going for that second power source. Find it and shut it down. It has to be near the first one."

"I think I have an idea where that is," Caleb said. "See you when the shooting stops."

Caleb turned and headed for the same hallway he knew Sheldon to be down while Nickel turned and headed for the now gaping hole in the side of the wall, leading outside. He squinted into the daylight looking for his former friend. He heard the small noise of a plane starting up and knew he had to stop him at any cost. Lukas had the new codes and with them he could still pose a dangerous threat if he managed to get away. He pushed his tired body to the back of the fortress and gazed upon a small plane with its engines just starting up.

"Lukas!" Nickel yelled out as he raised his gun and aimed it at the small plane. He fired off a warning shot making Lukas look at him in anger.

"Damn you Washington!" Lukas cursed angrily as he pushed on the throttle to get the plane moving. He pushed the steering column to get going and the plane started to slowly move.

"Damn it," Nickel cursed as he rushed to a nearby car and got in. Thankfully the thug's had left the keys in the car. Obviously for a quick getaway, Nickel said as he started it up and put it in gear. He spied the plane starting to turn away and started after him. Nickel knew his only chance to stop the plane was to get in front of it so he pressed the car he was in towards the end of the small runway in hopes of stopping him before he could take off.

********

"Sir," Commander James said quickly. "There is a small plane about to take off. Just came to life on radar."

"Below us?" The Secretary of Defense asked.

"Yes sir."

"Is it our red dot?" He asked with a frown.

"No sir."

"Who is trying to escape then? Nickel was going to signal me when it was all clear. Lukas? Monitor that plane and try to hail the pilot."

"Yes sir," Commander James said reaching for his two-way.

********

Sheldon felt the second explosion propel her forwards into a metal railing. She fell to the floor slightly hitting her head on the metal bar on the way down. Sheldon sat on the floor stunned for just a few minutes when heavy footsteps started bearing down on her.

She looked up to see a large man almost at her. She quickly swung her legs; catching him below the knee and making him slam face first into the floor. She heard a loud clang down the stairwell and knew Regan was going after the second power source. She pushed herself up despite the dizzy spells from her fall and ran towards the first set of stairs. She thought she heard Caleb calling out behind her but knew she couldn't afford to stop and check if it was. My job is to stop Regan Taylor at any cost and then see who else survived, she reminded herself inside her head. She reached the stair landing and stopped. She heard another man rush up behind her and quickly swung her leg behind her catching the thug in the mid-section and causing him to crash into the wall behind him. Sheldon didn't wait for him to get up but raised her gun and slowly started to descend the staircase. "Where the hell am I going?" She asked herself softly.

********

Caleb reached the hallway only to be slammed into hard on his right side. He fell to the ground with a large man on top of him. The man punched him in his side, opposite the hurt side and Caleb cried out from the new pain. He tried to kick at the large man but due to the man's size he was unable to make a dent. The man laughed and hit him again. Caleb grabbed his ear and pulled back hard.

The man cried out and twisted his body on top of Caleb's trying to get away from the painful touch. Caleb used the opportunity to elbow the man in his neck and he cried out even louder as his hand went immediately to his throbbing throat. Caleb managed to squeeze himself out from under the man and punch him in the side. The man kicked at Caleb's legs but Caleb side-stepped the feeble hit and kicked the man hard in the ribs. The man went for his gun but Caleb stepped on his hand and applied force.

"Damn you!" The man yelled out as Caleb kicked him again in the side of the head. The man lost consciousness much to Caleb's relief. Caleb looked around the now empty still smoking room and raced back to the computer. Sure enough it was dead to the touch. "Have to shut down the second power source," Caleb said knowing that if Regan could get there he could still send the third bomb out. He remembered the other door he chose not to enter in the second basement and knew that's where he'd find Regan and Sheldon.

********

Nickel pushed the luxury car to the end of the runway and got out of the driver's side. He aimed his gun at the small plane bearing down on him and said a quick prayer asking for strength to see this through to the end.

"Please stop the plane Lukas," Nickel muttered as he lined up the plane in his sights.

"You'll not stop me now Nickel," Lukas muttered as he pushed the plane ever harder and faster to get into the sky. Lukas finally felt the plane starting to pull into the sky and waved to Nickel on the ground below him. He laughed as the shot Nickel fired missed the windshield. "See you in hell Washington!" Lukas yelled out as he zoomed past Nickel.

"Damn you Lukas!" Nickel yelled out as he cursed his missed shot and ducked as the plane flew over his head and into the sky. Nickel fired a few more shots but it was moot as the small plane climbed higher and higher into the sky.

"If only I could get to Paul," Nickel said with a sigh. He got back in the car and headed back for the lair knowing that as long as Regan was a moving target Paul (Secretary of Defense) would keep firing. And as long as the Regan was alive and the firing continued they were all still in danger for their lives.

********

Sheldon reached the second landing and stopped. It was too quiet. But before she could take another step a blast sent her backward onto the other set of stairs. Sheldon covered her head with her arms as ceiling debris rained down her along with dust and smoke. She coughed violently and felt her eyes start to water immediately from the dust and smoke.

"Have…to keep…going…" she urged herself as she slowly got to her knees and headed for the staircase once more. "Have to stop Regan," she told herself firmly. "Have to!"

********

Caleb reached the first stair as the next blast hit and he had to hold onto the metal to keep himself from being tossed over the edge. He felt his arm connect oddly with the metal stairs and grabbed on to steady himself. He felt some ceiling debris hit him on its way to the bottom.

"Sheldon…" he said weakly as he pushed himself back up and started back down the stairs again. "Have to stop Regan," he reminded himself.

********

Nickel reached the lair and stopped the car as the third blast opened up another hole before him and the car was roughly jolted backwards from the blast, slamming into two other parked cars. He shielded his eyes from the light and threw himself sideways into the passenger seat to avoid a painful collision with the steering wheel on his already bruised chest. He waited for the loud noise to die down before slowly sitting back up and looking out the window.

He grabbed his gun and got out of the battered car and headed back inside. He heard a noise behind him, whirled around and shot the man about to fire at him. He fired off another shot at a man on his left and then waited to see if there were any more before proceeding back to the office.

********

"Try again to hail the pilot," the Secretary of Defense told Commander James.

"Sir he's just not responding to our warnings," the younger man said.

"Doesn't he know he can't out run F-18's?" The older man said grabbing the mic. "To the pilot in the small unidentified aircraft. This is your last warning. Your plane is no match for our F-18's. If you do not attempt to land you will be shot down. Please respond."

Lukas looked at the mic and sighed. He picked it up and pressed the talk button. "And if I do land Paul what kind of reception can I expect?"

"Lukas? Lukas don’t be a fool. Land this plane and we can work something out," Paul said harshly.

"Sir with all due respect life in prison is not much of a better alternative to the death penalty. Which is what you'd seek for me being a traitor right?"

"Tell me you had nothing to do with the bombings in London and Sydney and I'll tell you we can work out a better arrangement."

"Was Tracey in London?" Lukas asked sadly.

Paul hung his head in silence as he held the report of the death of Lukas's daughter in his hand. "She uh was in the building that was the blast target," he said in sadness. "Instant death."

"I killed my own child," Lukas said sadly. "What kind of father am I?"

"A misguided one," the Secretary of Defense said. "Now land the plane Lukas and we'll get you some help."

"No more help for me," he said angrily, tears of hatred blinding his eyes. He put his hand on the steering column and began to turn.

"Sir," the pilot called out. "He's turning his plane towards us. He means to hit us head on!"

"Lukas!" Paul said angrily. "Stop this stupid suicidal mission. Land your plane and we'll…"

"Sir he means to ram us!" The pilot said anxiously.

"Lukas!" Paul yelled again. "Don't do this! Regan is not worth it!"

Lukas however had turned off his comm and had only thought fixed in his tormented brain. The death of his daughter that he had caused.

Commander James looked at the older man beside him and frowned. He grabbed the mic from his hand and talked to one of the pilots in the F-18's who promptly moved himself into firing position.

"This is for us Tracey," Lukas said madly as he pushed the throttle all the way down and aimed it small plane at the larger one before him. A few feet from it however life as he knew it came to an explosive end. A missile from the F-18 made sure it never destroyed its intended target.

"NO!" Paul yelled out in anger as he watched the brilliant light before him signaling the defeated end to his former friend and employee. He turned away in horror as small bits of metal and debris started to fall to the earth below them. "Damn it," he cursed softly, turning to Commander James.

The young man looked up at him with a mournful expression. "I had to Sir," he said softly.

"I know you did," the Secretary of Defense said firmly. "It was the price we all had to pay." He turned his gaze back to the computer screen that showed that Regan was still on the loose. "Prepare the plane carrying our ground troops. We'll land and finish this!" He said firmly.

********

Sheldon reached the bottom of the stairs and saw three doors before her. A hidden one that was now open, one that Caleb failed to notice earlier. Sheldon drew her gun and slowly made her way towards the door. She carefully pulled it all the way open and then waited with her gun drawn for movement. She heard noises above her but none coming from the tunnel before her. "Where are you Regan?" She asked softly as she started to head down the tunnel. Regan watched from another doorway as Sheldon entered with her back to him.

"Time to die Agent Alexander," he said softly. But as he went to move from his spot he heard some calling to Sheldon from above him. "Damn you Kwan," Regan cursed softly. But an idea came to mind and he ducked back into his hiding spot to wait for Caleb to walk into his trap. He looked around for some rope and got himself ready.

Sheldon felt her way along the dim hallway and stopped at the end in the middle of a small room. She flipped on a light switch and looked around. Sure enough the room contained the second power source. She stared at the grouping of wires and cables on the ground before her and sighed. "Which one do I want to destroy?" Then an idea came to mind. "If I plug in the main power source I can direct his last missile here and make sure Regan is destroyed," she said picking up a large cable and connecting it. She felt sadness starting to overtake her as she thought about her plan. "But if I do Caleb and my father will die."

********

Nickel finally found the source for the computer Lukas was working on and plugged it in. Again the computer sprang to life but the sequencing part was again halted. "How do I turn this on?" Nickel was about to head out of the room to find the power source when the machine before him came to life. "Ask and you shall receive," he smiled as he quickly turned back. "If I direct the last missile to these coordinates I'll make sure Regan is stopped," but even as he uttered those words he felt despair coming upon him at the thought of Sheldon and Caleb's death on his hands. "Damn it!" He cursed in anger. He wanted to turn away but he knew that if he did it would mean his failure. This was his last chance to end this mess. "Forgive me Chloe," he said as he cleared the screen of the old coordinates and started to type in the new ones.

********

Caleb reached the bottom of the stairs and looked around. He notice another open door, one he failed to see last time and started for it. "Sheldon?" He called out softly. He heard a slight noise behind him but as he turned Regan struck him in the temple with the butt end of his gun. Caleb cried out softly as his body crumpled to the floor, dazed. Regan quickly gathered his hands together behind him and bound them tightly with rope. "Get up!" He said meanly as he hauled Caleb to his feet. "Time to die." He ripped off the bottom of his shirt and stuffed it into Caleb's mouth to keep him from warming Sheldon they were coming. "Let's go find her shall we," he said snidely as he grabbed Caleb's arm and dragged him down the hallway Sheldon was. "Pull the gag out and I'll kill you right now!"

Caleb didn't care about Regan's threat and tried to push the gag out of his mouth with his tongue but it was no use. He tried to make some noises but received a hard blow to the back, which caused him to stop his useless attempts at speech. They reached the doorway and Caleb's heart started to race as he gazed upon Sheldon busy in the corner with the cables and felt Regan dig the end of his gun into his already bruised and hurting back.

"Can I have your attention for a moment Agent Alexander?" Regan asked in a snide tone.

Sheldon turned around with her gun raised only to have Regan fire at the gun, painfully striking it from her hand. She screamed out as the heat from the blast burnt her hand and quickly dropped the gun from her hand. She looked back up to see Caleb in Regan's grasp, an arm around his neck and one with a gun stuck in his cheek.

********

Nickel heard the shot and looked up from his terminal in horror. He turned back to the screen before him and frantically went about putting in the final coordinate for the place they were in. "Today it a good day to die."

********

"You two have been a lot of trouble to me," he said firmly as he slowly dragged Caleb to a beam in the corner. "But I am going to rectify that right now," he said putting Caleb in front of the pole and pulling out the last bit of rope.

Sheldon could only watch helplessly as Regan tied the rope around Caleb's neck and the pole and tied it tight behind him. "Tell him that if he moves he dies slowly," Regan laughed as he pulled the gag out and then quickly stuffed it back in and retied it around his head. "There no you have no distractions," he said looking directly at Sheldon. "Time to die Alexander," he said cocking the gun. "Then I think I'll blow this place up while I'm safely in my bomb shelter. Yes one of the doors you didn't choose," he said with a laugh. "Pick your target Sheldon. Head or heart?"

"Afraid to fight me one on one without your gun?" Sheldon asked with an arched brow. She knew her father was still someplace upstairs and had to stall for time for him to find them. She also knew that Regan's pride wouldn't allow himself to be defeated by a girl. But his pride would be his downfall. "Or you think maybe a girl will best you?" She asked with a mock laugh, trying to calm her nerves in the process.

"A fight to the death?" Regan asked in amusement. "You in your battered condition?" He asked with a laugh. "Should be a walk in the park," he said setting his gun down behind Caleb.

Caleb grunted angrily into his gag for Sheldon not to carry out her plan. But she just winked at him and stood her ground as Regan came back to face her. Caleb cursed the fact his hands were behind him as he was not even allowed to work on the knot that held him to the post. He leaned his head back on the pole and closed his eyes. A loud cry from Regan snapped them open very quickly. He could only watch helplessly as the woman he loved engaged their enemy in a fight to the death.

Sheldon heard Regan's cry and tried to duck out of the way. Regan however stuck out his arm and caught Sheldon in the mid-section and they tumbled to the ground in a mass of arms and legs. Sheldon brought her leg up and landed it heavily on Regan's back. He cried out in pain and swung his fist and caught her in the chin. Sheldon's head snapped back but she managed to bring her foot up and kick him in the side, making him roll off her. She pushed herself to her knees only to be grabbed from behind.

Regan wrapped his arms around her waist, pinning her arms at her sides. Sheldon tried to pull her arms free but was unable. Regan hauled her to her feet; his arms still around her. Sheldon used the opportunity to pull them forwards to the wall and then stuck out one of her legs, hit the wall and propelled them backwards. Regan slammed backwards into another beam and lost his hold on Sheldon. She quickly turned and did a karate chop to his neck, causing him to cry out in pain. Sheldon swung her leg caught him in the mid-section, making him topple over. But on the way down she kicked him again, causing his head to snap upwards hitting the beam. Sheldon driven by rage lunged at Regan to take him down. Regan braced himself for the impact but cried out as his full body weight combined with hers oddly connected with the beam.

Regan quickly brought his leg up between them, forcing Sheldon back and the punched her in the cheek. Sheldon cried out at his hit but countered with a swing blow to his face also.

Caleb watched helplessly as Sheldon and Regan traded blow for blow. He continued to work on the knots that held his hands together but his brain was in such a panicked state for Sheldon his fingers didn't have the speed they normally did. He could see her starting to tire and her body starting to falter from the beating she was sustaining. She was a skilled fighter and under any other circumstance he would have been more than impressed. But with both their lives at stake and knowing the condition she was in, he was more worried than impressed. He had to get free and help her.

Sheldon jumped into the air and landed a swing kick to his gut causing Regan to fall backwards. He however missed the beam and landed on the floor behind him. He rolled over to one side as Sheldon came down hard. He grabbed her leg, causing her to fall to the ground on her back.

Sheldon pushed sweat and blood from her face and eyes and went after Regan again. She could feel her body starting to tire from the blows it had already sustained but she knew to give in would mean death for them all. She tackled Regan from behind as he was now in the middle of the room, trying to get back to the gun he left behind Caleb. Caleb kicked Regan in the face as neared him and Regan cursed loudly as he was thrown back. Sheldon had to loosen her grasp on Regan as she fell on her back from Caleb's kick. Regan stuck his booted foot out backwards and kicked her in the gut, causing her fall back to the floor.

Regan pushed himself up to his knees and dove for the gun behind Caleb. Sheldon gasped for air from the painful blow but pushed herself to her feet. She wiped the blood from her nose and stood up only to find Regan with his gun in Caleb's face once again. He cocked the trigger and smiled at her.

"Time to end this," he said meanly.

Caleb closed his eyes and waited for the blow.

"I couldn't agree more," Nickel said firmly, aiming his gun at Regan.

"Damn you Washington!" Regan cursed as he turned and fired at Nickel. Two shots rang out, a scream was heard but when the smoke cleared only one body fell to the floor.

"See you in hell Washington," Regan cursed in vain as he finally closed his eyes and was taken into the darkness of his onlookers thought was a well-deserved death.

Nickel slumped against the door in pain, feeling the shot of Regan's bullet still banging loudly in his ears. He clutched his shoulder and drew his hand away covered with his own blood.

"Dad," Sheldon said in horror as she rushed to her father. "Where are you hit?" She asked, tears finally starting to come.

"Sweetheart…we have to…get out of here…" Nickel managed through painful gasps. "Only a matter of seconds now."

"What are you talking about? Regan is dead?" Sheldon said rushing back to Caleb to untie the rope around his neck.

"Set the bomb to destroy this place," Nickel said firmly. "Only way to end it."

"We have to get to the bomb shelter," she said pulling Caleb by his arm for the door.

"Go," Nickel said firmly as he turned to follow them. But as he left his hand quickly went to the tracking device he put on Regan for the plane in the sky to track him. "Just in case," he said as he stuffed it into his pocket.

Caleb tried to tell Sheldon to take the gag out but she ignored his muffled pleas and guided them towards the opening. She reached the doors and stared at the two in front of her. They had only one choice; she had to make sure it was the right one.

Caleb yelled into his gag and Sheldon turned to him with a frown. She pulled the gag down as sighed. "I don’t know which one to take."

"I do," he said quickly. "The one on the far right."

Sheldon wasted no time in shooting the lock off the door and pulling Caleb in with her, closely followed by her father. Nickel closed the door behind them and then ran after Sheldon and Caleb down the hallway. They reached another door at the end and Sheldon kicked the door open. Nickel again barricaded the door and then joined Sheldon and Caleb in the corner as they huddled and waited for what seemed like their imminent death. "Sorry Paul," he mumbled. "Just doing my job."

********

"Sir a missile has just been launched," Commander James said quickly. "It's smaller than the others but can still do damage."

"Belay the order to land," the Secretary of Defense said into the receiver to the other plane, halting their landing. "Where the hell is it headed?" He yelled out.

Commander James was about to answer when the missile changed direction and headed back to the ground. "Sir it's heading back to the establishment below."

"What?" Paul yelled out. "On who's ord…" he asked and then stopped. "Nickel you wouldn't…" he said in horror. "Oh my go…"

"Sir?"

""Move the planes away, fast!" He braced himself as the plane quickly rose and then watched in horror as the ground below him exploded. "NO!" He yelled out, shielding his eyes from the destruction that followed.

********

Regan slowly picked himself up from his spot. He grabbed is gun and pushed himself to his knees, and started for the door. "I owe you death Washington," he said in a tormented breath. He reached the landing and stopped to catch his breath. He heard a strange whistling sound from the gaping hole in the roof above and race his horror filled face to watch as a smaller missile marked him as it's target.

"Oh no," were the last words he uttered before is body was instantly incarcerated along with the surrounding area. The blast knocked the stairs out and shattered the front doors.

Sheldon, Caleb and Nickel heard the loud rumbling heading for them and braced themselves for imminent death. The blast carried with it the outer door, causing it to smash into the inner door and fill the room with smoke, debris and small bits of fired laden wood.

Sheldon cried out as she felt a piece of metal cut through her right arm and pushed herself further into the corner, under Caleb. Caleb felt small pieces of flying debris starting hit him and buried his face and head in Sheldon's body. Nickel tried to shield both of them with his body but the gunshot in his shoulder reminded him that he was out of strength. Just when they all thought it was the end, the rumbling stopped.

********

"Sir you are not going to believe this," Commander James said frantically. "Regan Taylor is still alive."

"What?" Paul yelled in shock. He rushed to the screen and stared in horror at the blinking red dot before him. "Land this plane now. I'm going to finish this myself!"

********

After a few minutes Sheldon slowly lifted her head. She squinted into the smoke and then looked at Caleb. "Are you okay?" She asked loudly.

"We need to get out of here," Caleb said just as loud. "Untie me."

Sheldon set to working on the ropes when she felt movement beside her. Nickel bent down and with bloody hands started to help untie Caleb's.

"Are either of you hurt badly?" Nickel asked in a firm tone.

"No but we have to get you to a hospital," Sheldon said in a worried voice. "Who started the firing?" She called out as they slowly stood up. Caleb finally felt the pain from his wound and faltered, falling back to his knees.

"Caleb," Sheldon said in horror, rushing to help him up. "Think anyone will know we survived?" She asked as both took and arm and helped Caleb walk to what was left the opening to the room.

"I think someone does," Nickel said with a smile. The reached the opening only to find the stairs gone. "Damn it!" He cursed in anger.

"Anyone need a hand down there?" Called a friendly voice.

"Thought you'd never ask!" Nickel called back.

"Who?" Sheldon asked with a frown.

"A friend," Nickel said with a wink. In no time a rope ladder was dropped down and all three of them slowly made their way to the top. Sheldon reached the top and came face to face with the last person she ever expected to see. She turned to her father with a puzzled look. "You brought the Secretary of Defense with you?"

"Who else would know combat scenarios' better?" He smiled.

"Is Regan Taylor dead?" Paul asked in concern as the medics rushed up behind him.

"He is," Nickel said firmly. "Your men can round up what's left of his, but I doubt you'll find more than a few body parts."

"Just as well," he said with a frown. "Bastard deserved it."

"Sir uh Lukas…" Nickel started.

"Won't be coming home with us this time," Paul said slowly. "He didn't make it. But enough about that. Let's get you all into the medi-vac and home."

Sheldon turned to Caleb and smiled. "Glad you survived."

"You can't get rid of me that easily," he said pulling her into his arms. And despite the every growing fire behind him, the pain in his entire body he held her close as he passionately kissed her on the lips. "I love you Sheldon," he whispered not caring about the intent sets of eyes watching them closely.

"I love you too," Sheldon whisper back, as a large smiled started to cross her face.

Soon they were well on their way back to DC. Nickel looked up from his seat and grimaced at the sling on his arm. He moved forwards and turned off the light overhead and then leaned back in his chair. His eyes turned to look upon his daughter, still nestled in the arms of the man she loved. The doctors protested Caleb holding her just after they had patched his wound, but he didn't care. Nickel felt a smile of not only love but pride cross his face as he continued to look at them. "Welcome to the family Caleb," he said softly. "You've more than earned it."

********

"Am I hurting you?" Sheldon asked softly as she leaned against his chest, nestled safely in his arms.

"Not really," Caleb said with a smile, kissing the top of her head. "How are you feeling?"

"Pretty ugly right now," she said as soft tears started to come to her eyes. She looked up at Caleb as a few tears escaped and ran down her bruised face.

"You could never be ugly," he said gently lifting her face to his and kissing her on the mouth. He closed his eyes and leaned his forehead against hers and sighed. "You don’t know what I was feeling when that first explosion hit and I didn't know if you survived or not, and then when I had to watch you fighting Regan and couldn't help. Sheldon I…" Caleb started as his voice finally broke and he was able to let out all the emotion he had been holding in. "My life would have ended if you had died today," he whispered.

Sheldon smiled when Caleb finally opened his eyes and looked deeply at her. She noticed a few tears starting to form and quickly brushed them away. She reached up a hand and tenderly caressed his face. "I'm not going anywhere for a long time," she said with a smile. And then it finally hit her. She had been so worried about all the things in the past that she never thought anyone would feel the same in return. It never dawned on her that she would meet a man with the same fears as her.

"All this time I was so worried about losing you and…"

"I'm not going anywhere for a long time," Caleb echoed making her smile. He pulled her close once again and kissed her on the cheek. He looked up at Nickel for a brief moment and smiled at the older man across from him. "Your father huh?" Caleb said softly. "How does that work?" He asked softly.

Sheldon looked up and caught her father's warm smile and returned it. "It's a long story," she said softly. "I'll tell you another time."

"Okay," Caleb said as he pulled a blanket over them and let Sheldon fall asleep on his shoulder. In no time he too closed his eyes and was taken into the darkness of much deserved rest.

********

Chloe continued to pace the hospital room, periodically brushing away tears of sorrow and pain. She tried to pull her eyes away from the CNN reports coming in on the TV but was unable.

"Chloe your continual pacing is giving me a headache," Melvin said sometime later.

"I can't help it Mel," she said sadly. "My whole life ended today."

"Chloe I'm so sorry I gave you false hope about Nick," Melvin said with a sigh as he held her hand firmly in his. "I honestly thought that he would surv…" he said unable to finish.

"What do I do now?" She asked softly. "How do I go on without them? Without Nickel?"

"I don’t know Chloe," Melvin said softly. "But do you think I can have that Porsche the doctors were all talking about? Think Nick would mind?"

"Actually it doesn't belong to me," Nickel said walking in the room.

Chloe and Melvin both looked up in shock. "Nickel?" Chloe asked softly, afraid to move, unable to believe her husband just entered the room alive. She stood up on her shaky legs and tried to walk to him.

Nickel swiftly moved across the room and took his wife in his arms.

"Oh Nickel it is you," Chloe said breaking down and crying as he hugged her tight and kissed her. She saw his arm and then the bruises on his face and started to cry once again.

"A small price to pay for the death of a traitor," Nickel said firmly, referring to his wounds. "I love you Chloe," he said kissing her firmly on the lips. "Sorry for putting you through all that."

"Sorry about your parents," Chloe said softly. "Nickel I saw the reports and I thought that you…"

"I failed to save them," Nickel said sadly.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart," she said sadly. "Is Regan dead?"

"Yes that threat is gone for now. Now it's time to heal."

"And what about me? Your best friend here in the hospital?" Melvin asked dryly. "At least if I had a heart attack I'd be in the right place," Melvin smiled as Nickel leaned down and hugged his best friend.

Chloe frantically looked from Nickel to the open door. "Where's Sheldon?" She asked in a panic. And as if on cue Sheldon and Caleb entered the room followed by the Secretary of Defense. Chloe rushed up to her daughter and both cried and hugged, happy to be alive and together. Chloe looked from Sheldon to the handsome man beside her.

"Mom this is Caleb Kwan," Sheldon said happily. "Caleb this is my mom."

"Welcome to the family Caleb," Chloe said hugging him tightly. "I'm so glad my whole family is here."

"So Nick who was the ace up your sleeve?" Melvin asked, not seeing the other man in the room.

"I was," Paul said with a smile. He walked up to Melvin and shook his hand.

"The Secretary of Defense was your backup?" Melvin asked in surprise.

"Why is everyone so shocked about that?" Nickel asked with a frown, looking from Sheldon to Melvin.

Paul looked at Nickel and smiled. "Thanks to you Nick we still have our office in tact. But starting tomorrow there will be a change in office. As you know there is a new position open for the Directors chair over at the NSA and I want to give you first chance at it. Don’t answer tonight. Think about it and get back to me in a few days."

"Thank you Sir," Nickel said shaking his hand. "And thank you for everything you did. I know with Lukas and…I just know that must have been hard. But thanks for saving our lives."

"It was a risk worth taking," he smiled warmly. "Goodnight everyone."

Sheldon waited until he left before turning to her father. "So I guess this means 'Tantalus' is officially closed?" She asked softly.

"That file will remain open from now on," he said looking at Melvin. "People selling our secrets will never be done away with completely. We found one Tantalus this time, but what about next time? And there will be a next time. There always is. We also managed to find Jon…" Nickel stopped and looked up at Sheldon. "Unless you know otherwise?"

"Lukas said Jonathan was working undercover and was found out," Sheldon said softly, her eyes starting to water. "He uh got in over his head."

"Then the report will only have Lukas's and Jonathan's name on it for internal purposes. What we go public with will be a much different story," he said warmly, pulling his daughter close and hugging her tightly. "I'm glad our last conversation on this earth wasn't an argument."

"Well I think it's time we all got some rest," Chloe said softly. "I think we'll be meeting again tomorrow to tell more stories and get further acquainted," she said looking at Caleb. Caleb stood in the small room and felt happiness coming upon him. He had a first dreaded meeting her family but now felt more at ease than with his own. Nothing to prove to any of them except his love for Sheldon, which was more than evident. He put his arm around Sheldon's waist and pulled her close and in front of everyone kissed her long and hard.

Chloe nestled into Nickel and smiled happily. "At last," she whispered.

"So I guess this means you found your new partner?" Nickel asked Sheldon with an amused look, remembering how this all started; with her resignation. "Good thing I tore up your pink slip," he teased.

"Good thing," she smiled back. "New partner, new beginning."

"For us all," Nickel said with a wink. He and Chloe stood and watched them leave and then kissed again. Nickel turned to Melvin and smiled. "Time for us to say goodnight my friend."

********

"So where to now?" Caleb asked as they stood outside in the parking lot. He had both arms wrapped around Sheldon and she was looking up at him with a shy smile, making him want her even more.

"Well I want to take you to meet someone and then I thought we could go back to my place. Unless you'd rather stay in a hotel?" She teased.

"But I have nothing to wear," he said with a frown.

"I know," she said with a wink as the cab pulled up behind them.

Caleb smiled broadly as he followed her into the car and they started away. They pulled into a quiet cemetery and Caleb frowned as looked out the window at the things passing by. "Why are we here?" He asked. Sheldon as for the car to be stopped and then took his hand and helped him out. She guided him to a small gravestone with a small light on it and knelt down, taking Caleb with her.

"Caleb Kwan I want you to meet Jonathan Robertson," Sheldon said, her voice a bit shaky.

Caleb wrapped is arm around Sheldon and held her firmly as he felt her body starting to tremble slightly.

"I knew you weren't a traitor Jonathan," she said sadly. "You just got in over your head right?" She asked with a few tears starting to stream down her face. "You had me worried for a bit there but deep inside I knew you wouldn't betray the oath you took. I…" she said, tears coming harder. "I just wanted to say goodbye," she said softly. She brought two fingers to her lips, kissed them and then touched the gravestone. "Goodbye Jonathan," she whispered as she finally collapsed into Caleb's arms, crying harder. Caleb pulled her close and let her cry as long as she needed. They had a past he couldn't interfere with and she needed closure if he was ever to have every part of her. After some time Sheldon looked up at him and he wiped the tears away. "Let's go home," she whispered. Caleb helped her stand up and they made it back to the cab.

In no time they were inside her apartment, happy to be alive and together. Sheldon took off her jacket and helped Caleb take off his. He pulled her into his arms and looked at her with an inviting smile, the same smile that captivated her when they first met. He brought his face down to hers and began to kiss her. Sheldon responded but then pulled away.

"I'm uh not…" she started.

"I understand," Caleb said with a hurt tone. He turned to leave but she grabbed his hand and stopped him. She gently led him to the bathroom and turned on the hot water for the shower. Then she started to slowly undress herself before his hungry eyes. With each piece of clothing she shed Caleb felt his heart to race and his body temperature start to rise as well as his desire for her.

"Wow," he breathed when she stood before him with nothing left to cover her. "You are the most beautiful woman in the world," he said huskily as his eyes traveled up and down her lush body.

"Your turn," she whispered as the steam started to fill the room.

Sheldon watched in anticipation as Caleb started to reveal his perfectly formed body to her. She felt herself blush all over as he slowly stripped to his boxers. "Want to do the honor?" He asked with a sly smiled tugging at the waistband of the tight underwear.

Sheldon walked up to him with a broad smile on her face and pressed her body close against him, feeling his desire for her growing even more. She placed her fingers inside the waistband and started to pull. Caleb gently pulled Sheldon into the shower under the warm water and started to run his hands all over her, she returning the favor. Sheldon grabbed a handful of dark hair and pulled Caleb's face to hers and started to hungrily devour his lips and mouth.

Caleb started to kiss her mouth and then moved himself lower to her neck and chest. His hands continued their warm assault of her flesh as she continued to kiss him back.

"Make love to me Caleb," Sheldon said firmly.

He looked at her with a serious stare. "Are you sure?" He asked with a hint of uncertainty.

"Never been more sure," she said pressing herself deeper into him. Caleb held her close and finally felt the release he had wanted since he first laid eyes on her. "I love you Sheldon," he said passionately. After they had all but spent the hot water Caleb carried Sheldon into her bedroom and placed her still wet warm body on the bed. She moved herself up on the covers, tempting him further with her naked flesh.

"Wow," Sheldon said looking at Caleb's still wet naked body before her. "You are the most beautiful man in the world," she said softly. "I love you Caleb," she said in a soft whisper. Caleb slowly moved closer to the bed and lowered himself down on top of her once again showing her how much he loved her once again.

After some time Sheldon nestled her warm body next to his and hugged him tightly. Caleb wrapped his strong arm around her and pulled her close, kissing the top of her forehead. "Are you sure you want this?" He asked in concern.

"You or the new partnership?" She asked looking up at him.

"Both," he said with a frown. "I don’t want to put you into anything that you mi…" he started only to have Sheldon place a soft finger on his lips to stop him.

"I want both," she said with a smile pulling his head down to hers. "I want my new partner and this new partnership. I want you Caleb and nothing else."

Caleb smiled broadly and kissed her inviting lips once again. "I am in love for the first time in my life," he breathed, deepening the kiss.

"And I am in love for the last time in my life," Sheldon said firmly.

A peaceful calm washed over them both. Embracing them in it’s endless arms. Wrapping them in serenity, and watching over them with a careful eye making sure they got the rest and love they both needed and deserved. And tomorrow would come. It would be filled with more adventures and dangers, the future was theirs to share together. But for now it would have to wait.

Look for more adventures coming with Sheldon and Caleb!