She shook her head, eyes lifting to meet the sad gray-blue eyes of her husband from across the room as he and some of his men discussed the Resistance’s next move in the war raging throughout the country. The Syndicate had made demands in which needed to be met or thousands of people would die from the outcome. She closed her eyes, turning her back to him, her heart sinking. She struggled to push away the voices of the men in the room as she busied herself with spreading out the sleeping bag over the old mattress she and her husband used for a bed. She then grabbed the pillows, beating them with barely restrained fury before tossing them to the head of the bed. He was going to do what the Syndicate wanted and there was nothing she could do about it. She bit back a startled gasp when two large male hands rested on her shoulders, bringing her back against a well muscled chest.

“I have to go.” he murmured softly, his lips brushing softly against her ear.

“No, you don’t, Josh.” she shook her head, stepping away from his embrace. She couldn’t stay angry with him if he was touching her. She never could.

“Michaela, I don’t have a choice.” he sighed, shoulders sagging tiredly. She turned on her heel to face him, eyes blazing with pain and anger.

“Yes, you do! You have all the choice in the world.” her voice broke, eyes filling with tears ultimately causing her to turn her back on him once again. She sighed when he remained silent. “They’ll kill you.” she finally whispered.

“I know.” he nodded, stepping closer to her. “Sass, if I don’t go, so many people will die. Can you honestly live with that many deaths? I know I can’t.” he lifted a hand, cupping her cheek in his palm. He tilted her head, bringing her gaze up to meet his.

“I can’t do this without you. Nothing will matter if you’re...,” her voice trailed off, her mind unwilling to complete the sentence. He took her hand, bring it up to place her palm to his chest over the steady beat of his heart.

“I’m still alive, Sass. Still breathing.” he reminded her softly. She blinked, taking a deep breath as a single tear slipped down her cheek. His lips were there, brushing the tear away.

“Don’t cry for me, love. I can’t bear to see you cry.” the pain mirrored in his voice broke her heart. She nuzzled her cheek against his palm, her eyes opening to gaze up at him.

“When?” her voice was a whispered breath.

“Tomorrow.” he answered, sighing softly. She made a soft sound of denial, eyes closing again.

“Too soon. Josh, it’s too soon.” she shook her head, pleading with him for the last time.

“Anytime is too soon for a wife.” he teased gently, bringing a whisper of a smile to her face. He traced her smile with a fingertip, his free arm snaking around her waist to bring her closer. Mike rested her cheek against the gentle thunder of his heart, eyes closing against the burning tears once again.

“I love you, sass.” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. She took a deep breath, hands fisting around handfuls of his shirt, bringing him closer.

“I know.” she whispered, fire dancing along her spine as his hands lifted to the back of her neck, tracing small designs on the sensitive skin with his fingertips.

“What’s wrong, love?” he inquired softly. She snorted.

“Other than the obvious.” he amended, amusement lacing his voice. Mike sighed, reluctantly easing from his embrace. She rubbed a hand across her face, remaining silent for a moment before turning to face him once again. He arched an eyebrow at her, waiting expectantly. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted with a knock at the door. She closed her eyes, shaking her head slowly as JC sighed, walking briskly to the door. He pulled it open and had a brief conversation with one of the Resistance soldiers before he turned to Mike with a sigh.

“I’ll be right back. Seems we have a man who wants to see me.” he informed her softly. She nodded, sitting down on the bed, unable to speak the words welling in her throat. Her husband gazed at her for a moment before disappearing. Minutes later, he returned to the room, face a mask of anger and frustration. She gazed at him expectantly, watching as he pulled on a dark green flack jacket, grabbing his pistol.

“I have to go out for a while. There’s a truck carrying children we have to stop.” he sighed tiredly, kneeling in front of her.

“I thought tonight was our last night together.” she reminded him, her voice hoarse with unshed tears. JC sighed, head bowed. Suddenly, his hands cupped her cheeks and he pressed a desperate kiss to her lips.

“Don’t go. There’s things I need to tell you.” she pleaded softly.

“I wish I didn’t have to.” he sighed softly.

“I’m pregnant, Josh.” Mike surged to her feet, walking to the far side of the room, her back turned to her husband as she swiped at the tears now escaping her eyes.

“What?” JC inquired, stunned. She let out a humorless laugh as she sat on the bed, covering her face with her hands.

“I’m pregnant.” she repeated in a whisper, wincing as she felt the bed dip behind her with her husband’s weight. She sighed softly, letting her hands drop to her lap.

“A baby?” he continued, wonder threading his voice.

“Yeah, Josh, a baby.” Mike nodded, her voice taking on a bitter note.

“How far along?” he caressed her cheek with a feather-light touch, bringing her gaze up to meet his own.

“I don’t know.” she shrugged a shoulder. “A month, maybe two or three. I haven’t been to the medical room yet, so I can’t be sure.”

“Sass,” a tentative smile turned the corners of his lips upward. “We’re going to have a baby.”

“I’m going to have a baby.” she countered, voice hoarse with emtion. “Because you’re running to your death tomorrow.” she climbed to her feet, shoving her hands into the pockets of her worn sweatpants. She was stopped short by a large male hand wrapping around her arm.

“I’m sorry, love.” he whispered, pulling her back over to him. Mike closed her eyes against the renewed tears.

“You better go.” her hoarse whisper tore at her heart, knowing she was sending her husband away when all she wanted to do was pull him close. He shook his head slowly, pulling her closer.

“The others can handle this.” his soft voice caressed her fraying nerves like silk.

“Are you sure?” she didn’t dare to hope.

“I want my last night filled with you. I’m sure.” he nodded, tugging her down onto the bed beside him. He pulled back the blankets as he sprawled out on the sleeping bags covering the mattress. Mike curled into his embrace, sighing silently as her heart slowly shredded in her chest. Her eyelids fluttered shut, exhaustion sapping her strength. She wasn’t sure how long she was asleep for when she was startled awake by a noise. A slow smile curved her lips upon seeing Josh’s hand resting protectively, if not possessively, over her stomach in his sleep. She lifted her hand, fingertips tracing his jaw, cheekbones, forehead, as if trying to commit them to memory. She didn’t know what she would do without him. He was her life’s breath, he protected her and loved her like no other could. He was her husband and the father of her baby. And in a few hours, he would be dead, leaving her to raise their child alone. Leaving the Resistance without a leader and a calm voice of reason. Her heart lurched when his eyes opened. Her grasped her hand, holding her fingers to his lips. He pressed his lips to each fingertip before propping himself up on an elbow. He gazed down at her with sharp gray-blue eyes.

“Never forget I love you.” he whispered, almost urgently.

“I won’t.”

His eyes darted to the doorway when yelling suddenly broke out in the hallway, followed by gun shots and screams of pain. He climbed out of the bed, pulling on his pants in one swift movement. He reached for his pistol and turned to his wife. He traced her worried features with his eyes.

“I want you to go through the secret passage way and don’t look back.” he helped her to her feet.

“No way.” she shook her head, defiance flashing in her eyes.

“I don’t have time to argue with you, love. Just do as I say.” he sighed, shaking his head as he checked the chamber. It was loaded, he knew it was loaded, but he needed something to do to keep his eyes from his wife.

“If you honestly think I’m going to leave you here so you can deal with this alone, you’re insane. I still have a few hours left, and I’m fighting for them.” she shook her head, reaching for the pistol Josh had given her years earlier.

“Sass..,” he shook his head, sighing heavily. “I don’t want you or our baby getting hurt.”

“We won’t.” she stated simply with a shrug of her shoulder. The door burst open, two Syndicate soldiers filling the doorway. Mike blinked, swallowing with difficulty.

“You guys are early. I thought it was sunrise or you’d come in.” Josh’s strong voice filled the room.

“We were bored.” one soldier shrugged, glancing from Mike to Josh. She sighed silently when her husband took a protective step in front of her.

“You’re not taking him.” Mike shook her head, voice so low they could barely hear her.

“Is that so, little lady. I beg to differ.” the second soldier practically laughed.

“Beg all you like. It doesn’t change the fact he isn’t leaving here.” Mike shot back, anger filling her limbs, heightening her senses.

“Sass.” the one word warning came from her husband. A gun shot rang out and one of the soldiers crumpled to the floor, a look of shock plastered on his face. Mike gazed at the man, stunned eyes swinging toward the doorway. Steven, bloody from a wound in his chest had a hand braced against the wall out in the hallway. He gave the couple a small, pained smile as he slowly sat on the floor. The second soldier turned icy eyes to Steven, lodging three more bullets into his body before turning back to Josh and Mike.

“Let’s go.” he motioned with his gun. Josh sighed, closing his eyes for a moment before turning to his wife.

“Let me go, love.” he whispered, hand cupping her cheek gently.

“No.” she shook her head, tears burning her eyes.

“You have a baby to worry about, now. Let me go.” he pleaded softly, pressing a kiss to her lips.

“No.” her voice was weak with resignation.

“I love you.” he murmured, pressing another kiss to her lips.

“I love you, too.” she whispered, her heart turning numb with the pain of losing the one person meant for her. He brushed the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs before he turned back to the soldier waiting on him. Mike shook her head slowly, the pistol in her hand too heavy to lift. Her mind rebelled against losing him this way. Her heart lurched painfully in her chest. A calm suddenly filled her, almost as if someone else had taken over her body. She lifted her hand, raising the gun, training the soldier as her target.

“I told you once before, he’s not leaving here tonight.” she stated loudly, voice devoid of emotion.

“Sass, please don’t do this.” Josh pleaded.

“Fine. You don’t want him to leave here. He won’t.” the soldier shrugged, lifting his gun. He pressed the gun against her husband’s chest, pulling the trigger before she had time to react. A sound of rage escaped her, and she pulled the trigger of her own pistol until the chamber was empty, all the bullets lodging into the soldier. He smirked at her as he sat heavily on the floor, back resting against the wall.

“He didn’t leave, did he?” were his last words. The gun she held dropped from nerveless fingers, her gaze locked onto her husband’s crumpled form. Seconds later, she was at his side, his head cradled in her lap. He opened sluggish eyes to give her a slow, painful smile.

“You’re amazing.” he murmured, his fingertips tracing her hand.

“No, I’m not. I just wanted what was rightfully mine. And now, I’ve signed your death certificate.” her voice had lost the musical quality that had kept him going for so many years.

“No. Sass, you protected your family. Tried to. That’s all that matters.” he shook his head, struggling to a sitting position. Mike helped him shift until his back was resting against the wall, supporting him.

“I love you. Never forget that.” his voice became slightly weaker.

“No.” she shook her head. “You can’t leave me. I can’t do this by myself.”

“Yes you can. You never thought you were strong enough for this. But, you are. You can handle anything, Sass. Including this.” he countered, his hand cupping her cheek. She closed her eyes against the tears.

“Take care of our baby.” he pleaded softly. “Don’t do anything that would risk your pregnancy. Promise me.”

“I promise.” she nodded, clinging to the thought of the baby. It would be the only thing of her husband she would have left after this night. The baby and her memory of a truly great man. JC’s wheezing breath finally rattled to a stop. Mike shook her head, denying the realization of his death, tears escaping to wash down her cheeks.

“You promised you’d never leave me.” she whispered hoarsely, hand held protectively over her stomach. Sounds from the hallway caught her attention for a moment before she tuned everything out. She concentrated on inhaling her next breath, then exhaling. She concentrated on everything she needed to do to survive without her soul’s mate. Ned knelt beside her, taking her arm in his hand with a gentle grip.

“Come on Raven. We need to get you out of here.” his voice seemed as if he were a million miles away.

“Raven, there’s nothing we can do for him now. Please.” Ned tried again, this time a little desperately. More soldiers were on their way and they would no doubt kill them all if given the chance. She finally climbed to her feet, reaching for her husband’s left hand and his wedding ring. She slipped the ring from his finger and placed a final kiss to his lips.

“I’ll remember everything. And I’ll tell our child.” she whispered before Ned pulled her from the compound, leaving everything else behind.

“I love you.” Mike laughed, her arms snaking around his neck. They stood in the kitchenette of the tour bus, ignoring everything around them but each other.

“Say that again.” he demanded softly, lips dropping to nuzzle her neck softly, which in turn, made her laugh.

“I love you.” she laughed once again, then squeaked in surprise when he shifted suddenly, his lips capturing her laughter. Her fingers burrowed through the hair at his nape and he shivered slightly with reaction. He never got tired of holding her. Moments later, his head lifted and he smiled at her soft sound of protest.

“Do you ever thing about us getting married?” he inquired suddenly, the words escaping without his really thinking about them. He held his breath, wondering if the question would frighten her in some way.

“Yeah, sometimes.” she nodded, stepped away from him enough so she could sit on one of the couches in the front sitting room. He followed, sprawling out beside her, resting his head in her lap. She smiled down at him, raking her fingers gently through his hair.

“Me, too.” he murmured tiredly, eyes fluttering shut.

“Yeah? When you see us married, what do you see?” Mike inquired curiously. He chuckled softly, folding his arms across his chest, eyes remaining shut. He never had the chance to reply because sleep claimed his mind before the words could tumble from his mouth.

“Who is she?” a soft tenor inquired, seemingly a hundred miles away. All she could feel was the intense pain wracking her body, her heart racing in her chest as she struggled to open her eyes.

“Don’t know. We found her on the side of the road looking like this. Looked as if she were running from something, or someone.” another voice entered her mind, this one gruff and wary. She struggled for a moment against the gentle bonds against her hands.

“Easy, little one. No one can hurt you here. You’re safe.” the soft tenor informed her, gently restraining her from hurting herself. Her eyes fluttered, opening for a moment. Watchful, clear gray-blue eyes stared down at her. She whimpered softly, biting her lip on a sharp cry of pain when she tried to move.

“Don’t, you’ll hurt yourself little one. Just relax. We’ll take care of you. You have nothing to worry about. Just sleep.” the soft tenor with the most amazing gray-blue eyes murmured, trying to ease her fright and calm her frayed nerves. Her eyes fluttered shut once again, the pain consuming her mind.

“Are you sure it’s safe to have a woman here? With men, there’s no problem of the possibility of death. We all know we could die at any given moment. But a woman?” the gruff voice inquired, his voice drifting further and further away.

“Women need our help, too, Ned. We’ll just have to take care of her until she’s well enough to make her own decisions.” the tenor mumbled through a tired sigh, then her world went peacefully black.

“How are you feeling today, Sass?” Josh inquired softly, smiling upon seeing her eyes fire with his use of the nickname he had given her.

“Better. Though I can’t say I’m not suffering from claustrophobia. I’m going stir crazy in here and you won’t let me go outside.” she grumped, folding her arms across her chest as she gazed longingly out the window. Josh laughed softly, walking around the bed to drop down onto the only chair in the room.

“It’s not safe to go outside, Sass. You know that.” he murmured, brushing a strand of hair from her forehead.

“Everyone in this place goes outside all the time. Why am I different?” Michaela demanded stubbornly, causing Josh to throw back his head and laugh heartily.

“Because, little one, they’re all strong and healthy and have been trained to defend themselves should their lives be at risk.” he answered the question easily, his hand covering her own, squeezing gently.

“I see. It’s because you’re men. Lord, why was I cursed with being born a woman?” she tossed a gaze up at the ceiling, making a face with a shake of her head. He stood up suddenly and before she could utter another word, she was in his arms, cradled against his chest, a sheet wrapped protectively around her. He strode quickly for the door as she shot him a surprised glance.

“What are you doing?” she finally inquired, trying to still the rapid thunder of her heart. He gave her a crooked smile.

“If it’ll get you to stop complaining, I’m taking you outside.” he answered, a light teasing note in his voice. A slow smile turned the corner of her lips upward, her arms snaking around his neck for balance. A soft sigh escaped her when a cool soft breeze caressed her face upon exiting the rundown building. He took a few more steps, then perched precariously on a large rock, settling her firmly on his lap. Mike rested her head against his shoulder, closing her eyes as she listened to the breeze rustle the leaves of a nearby tree, birds chirping softly.

“Better?” Josh inquired gruffly.

“Much.” she nodded, glancing up at him. “Thank you.”

“Are you done complaining about being born a woman?” he lifted an eyebrow at her.

“Of course not. Even in this day and age, it’s still a man’s world. I should have been born a man. I wouldn’t get flack for doing anything then. And people wouldn’t spend their entire lives trying to protect me when I don’t need protecting.” she shrugged a shoulder, stifling a sigh.

“Certain people like protecting you.” he murmured softly, a wealth of meaning behind his words. “Besides, I’m glad you were born a woman. You’d be one hell of an feminine looking man.”

Mike rolled her eyes, struggling from his arms as she tried to sit up. His arms tightened immediately, bringing her back against his chest.

“Do you mind?” she inquired imperiously.

“As a matter of fact, I do mind.” Josh countered, glancing down at her for a moment.

“Maybe I am glad I was born a woman. Men seem to be stubborn and less than perfect conversationalists. Not to mention their poor bathing habits and short one word answers. Plus they never divulge any information, whether you’re the enemy or not.” Mike muttered flippantly to herself, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing at the askance look he threw her.

“I’ll have you know I bathe every morning.” he sniffed, tossing a mild glare in her direction.

“Sure, sure.” Mike nodded, reaching up to run her fingers along his cheek, which hadn’t seen a razor in a day or two. “You may bathe, but you sure don’t shave.”

“I shave when I can. As long as I’m clean, it doesn’t much matter to me.” he shrugged nonchalantly, turning his eyes back to the landscape. It almost seemed like there wasn’t a war going on.

“I like it.” she murmured softly, fingertips gently sweeping over his cheek once again before dropping back into her lap. His eyes flashed briefly, his hand engulfing hers, threading their fingers together. He brought her hand up to his lips, whispering a kiss across her knuckles. She shivered slightly, cuddling closer to him. They both glanced up when a shadow fell across them.

“Wounded are coming in, some of them have information.” Ned informed JC, completely ignoring Mike’s presence.

“All right. I’ll be right there.” JC nodded, grim lines of fatigue lining his face for a moment before he turned his gaze back down to the young woman in his arms. “I’m sorry you can’t stay out here longer, but I don’t trust your safety with anyone else.”

Mike feigned sleep, listening to the conversation going on around her with mild interest. JC and Ned were talking about her and her role at the encampment.

“She shouldn’t be here. You know that, JC.” Ned sighed loudly.

“Don’t you think I know that?” JC demanded, his voice laced with frustration.

“Then she has to leave. It’s not safe for her here.” Ned continued.

“I know, but, God help me, I’m not strong enough to let her go.” JC sighed.

“I can’t believe you’re entertaining the childish notion of love in a time of war.” Ned mumbled incredulously.

“I never mentioned love, my friend.” JC countered.

“She has to go. She’s a distraction for you.” Ned continued to point out everything wrong with her presence.

“Moral has been up, though. You have to admit that.” JC pointed out.

“I realize that. You need to take care of this. You need to get her out of here.”

“I’ll take care of it.” JC sighed in regret. The soft sound of the door closing sounded like the crack of a whip, causing her to flinch slightly, her guise of sleep nearly crumbling. The thought of leaving the encampment was an abhorrent thought, something she couldn’t tolerate. She opened her eyes, startled when she saw gray-blue eyes gazing at her.

“You heard?” he inquired softly, lifting an eyebrow. She nodded, struggling to a sitting position.

“He’s right. You shouldn’t be here. In the morning I’ll take you to a friend of mine’s house. The Syndicate doesn’t bother him for reasons I can’t discuss with you right now.” JC sighed, passing a hand over his face, frustration sizzling of him in waves.

“So that’s it.” Mike mumbled, surging to her feet in a single feline motion. She nodded, grabbing the jacket he had given her weeks earlier when she was able to start walking around. She quickly shrugged into it and turned to the door.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he demanded incredulously, an implacable hand encircling her arm.

“Taking the hint and getting the hell out of here.” she muttered, her voice cool.

“In the middle of the night? Come on, Sass, where are you going to go?” he brought her around to face him.

“That’s really none of your concern.” Mike’s answer brooked no argument.

“You’re not leaving in the middle of the night.” he shook his head, his voice filled with angry laughter.

“The hell I’m not.” she shot back angrily, jerking her arm from his grasp.

“Damn fool woman. You’ll get yourself killed.” he muttered through gritted teeth.

“Well, that would be one way of getting me off the encampment, now wouldn’t it?” she inquired sardonically.

“Damn it, I didn’t want this to happen, Sass.” JC growled, pacing the room slowly.

“I’ll endeavor to remember that in the future.” Mike stated through clenched teeth, walking briskly to the door.

“If you take one more step toward that door, I won’t be held responsible for what happens.” JC warned ominously. She tossed a glower over her shoulder at him. She pulled open the door, then opened her mouth on a silent scream when she was hoisted up into the air and over his shoulder. He walked over to the makeshift bed and dropped her unceremoniously onto it.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded, quickly coming to her feet.

“Something I should have done weeks ago.” he muttered moments before his lips captured hers in a kiss. She squeaked softly, struggling for a moment. He gentled the kiss immediately, slowly romancing her lips, slightly inquisitive and all consuming. All thought bled from her mind, leaving her only with the emotions his kiss stirred within her.