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“Better not let Juan hear you say that,” Nerit said calmly.

“My trap has been disrupted by the evil brain waves of the clone hordes--”

Calhoun then sputtered into a tirade that had half the people in the room gasping.

Small children were quickly ushered into the ballroom while some of the older teens looked impressed.

“We got thirty minutes, Calhoun. Let’s do it,” Rune said from nearby.

“Huh?” Calhoun blinked.

“Go out and fix it,” Rune continued.

“Is it the razor wire trap?” Travis managed to grab a cup of coffee from a nearby tray.

“Nope. The fire one. And you know gawddamn well how important that one is. ”

“Shit,” Kevin muttered again, trying to stuff an entire taco in his mouth.

“Let’s do it, dude. I mean it. Let’s go!” Rune was clad in his motorcycle leathers and looking ready for war. “C’mon, Calhoun. We can do this. ”

Calhoun looked uneasy for a second. “Okay. Let’s do it. ”

With a grin, Rune gripped Calhoun’s shoulder and dragged him back into the elevator. “It’s a damn fine day to die,” Rune assured Calhoun as the doors shut.

“I better monitor them,” Keven decided.

“Good idea. I’ll get Katarina out there,” Nerit responded and took up position with Kevin to wait for the elevator to return.

Katie took a cup of coffee from a tray, then snagged the other half of Travis’ breakfast taco. She felt strangely calm. Maybe it was the golden sunlight of the new day pouring through the windows or the light blue sky that seemed so welcoming, but it felt peaceful up here.

Greta appeared nearby already dressed in her uniform and looking ready to go. Her bird would be up in the air soon. Everything they had planned for was about to kick into gear and Katie had to believe it would work.

* * * * * “. . . and then we shoot them in da head,” Holly assured Juan.

“They’re not getting in,” Jason promised the little girl again.

“Nieta, the bad monsters will not get past the walls,” Rosie assured her adopted granddaughter. “It’s not going to happen. ”

“But if they do,” Margie said in an ominous voice, “we will shoot them in da head. ”

“Shoot them in da head,” Troy said firmly.

Juan couldn’t help but laugh and leaned over to kiss his kids fondly. “It won’t come to that. I promise. ”

Jack flopped down amongst them and Jason leaned over to rub the dog behind the ears. Troy flopped backwards to rest against the dog’s stomach like a pillow.

It seemed like a regular moment for his family: his grandmother had drifted off to sleep in her wheelchair; his mother was fussing with the kid; the kids were ornery as ever; Jason was peering at everyone through his bangs; and the dog was trying to get something into his stomach. This was his family. The thought made him smile, but made his stomach lurch at the same time.

He would do anything to protect them. Jenni had made this happen. His loca. His crazy, freaky, probably partially insane girlfriend. God, he loved her and missed her. But she was at peace, he knew that, and knew her prayers were with him. He had lost her, but gained his children. His heart, he realized, was healed because of their love and need for him. A gift to him. Without their love, he would still be in mourning.

“I need to get going,” Jason said as the other three kids prattled on.

Suddenly, the little family looked quite somber. Jason, like many of the teenagers from thirteen on up, was part of the fort’s defenses.

“Give me a kiss, nieto,” Rosie said throwing out her arms to him.

Jason stood up and moved into her arms and looked a little embarrassed by her tight hug and kiss. Juan rose to his feet as well and moved to hug his son tightly. Jason’s arms came about him and they held each in an embrace that said more than words ever could.