PART TWO

Cooper stood looking out of the window at his secret place onboard the Saratoga. He thought about all that had happened to him over the last few weeks and smiled contentedly, he still couldn't believe that Amberley was happy to be with him. But she was and he thanked whoever was watching over him for that. He looked down at the mass of auburn curls that snuggled up to his chest and wondered what Amberley was thinking as she gazed out of the window cradled in his strong arms. Cooper gently kissed the top of her head and she turned round to face him. She smiled up at him with that familiar warm smile that made him feel good all over.

"Well Cooper as much as I'd like to stay here with you forever we do have a mission brief early tomorrow and we really ought to get some sleep" Cooper grinned back at her.

"Yeah I guess you're right I dunno what McQueen and the other guys would say if we didn't turn up on time" She chuckled softly.

"Hmmm I think we could well be court-martialled for that, c'mon let's go" Amberley held out her hand for Cooper, he caught hold of it and pulled her close to him whispering softly in her ear.

"We'll go after I've had my goodnight kiss" Amberley put her arms around his neck and they kissed soft and long arousing feelings in her that she had not felt in a long time.

Cooper too was breathing faster as they broke from their passionate embrace. They smiled at each other and walked back slowly to their quarters.

As they walked back Amberley looked back over her time since joining the Wildcards and couldn't believe at how much her life had changed. It had started with Cooper and herself fighting most of the time, who'd have thought this would happen? So far they had both kept their relationship low key as they didn't want it common knowledge on the Saratoga, they both knew that would cause trouble.

Sure McQueen and the rest of the 5-8 knew but that's just how they wanted it. This was one of the reasons they went to Cooper's quiet place so they could enjoy each others company without any attention. The problem was their feelings for each other were becoming stronger and both knew that it would soon be out in the open. Amberley still hadn't told Cooper that she loved him although Shane and Vanessa were astounded by that, but Amberley realised that Cooper was having to deal with a whole new set of feelings now and wanted to take things slow before she landed that one on him.

As they reached the door to their quarters Amberley kissed Cooper softly on the cheek, making sure first that no one was in sight.

"Goodnight Cooper, sweet dreams" He smiled softly at her.

"Yeah you too babe" With that they crept quietly inside.

The mission brief turned out to be patrol duty which lasted fourteen hours. The patrol passed without incident but Amberley always found the quiet duties more stressful than a real hairy furball. At least you knew what was happening, but when everything was quiet you were always waiting for the hammer to fall.

After a shower and a meal they went to the Tun for a quiet game of Poker. Cooper was winning for once and was grinning all over his face.

"Oh man Coop do you have to be so smug about winning?" Shane smiled at Paul.

"Yeah well don't forget Paul it's so rare for this to happen I think I'd smile too if I were Coop" The rest of them all grinned at that.

McQueen walked into the Tun and watched as his kids laughed and joked. He knew what he'd got to do next might put an end to all this permanently, but he had to remember that they were all trained Marines and they would have to deal with it as best they could. As he came up to the table they moved round so that McQueen could take a seat.

"Thanks but I'm not staying. Vansen and Robertson you are to report to Commodore Ross's office at 08.30 hours tomorrow" Shane and Amberley looked at each other in surprise but both acknowledged him.

With that he turned and walked away before he could be asked anymore questions.

"So what have you two been up to?" Nathan grinned at them but at the same time he felt concern, he didn't know why but it was just the way that McQueen had made a quick exit, as if he didn't want to be examined about it.

"Well Amberley I guess they've found out about the wild parties we've had in our quarters" Amberley grinned at her.

"Yeah well I s'pose we'd better go 'fess up" Cooper looked up worriedly.

"Hey Amberley you haven't had guys in there have ya?" Amberley smiled warmly at him.

"No Coop it's only a joke. We know as much as you, guess we find out about it tomorrow"

At 08.25 hours the next morning Shane and Amberley knocked on Commodore Ross's door.

"Enter" They both saluted as they stood in front of Ross's desk, with McQueen standing beside him.

"At ease, sit down" They both sat and as Ross looked at them he felt concerned, what he was about to say could possibly split the Wildcards in two but he knew that orders were orders and they had been requested by the top brass.

"You are to report to your Hammerheads at 14.00 hours today and fly to Loxley" Both women tried not to be surprised but it was difficult.

"You are to take part in a forty-eight hour training mission, the details of which I am unable to give you as they are ultra red compartmentalised. Further instructions will be given to you on your arrival. Are there any questions?" They looked at each other and then Shane spoke.

"Sir what are we to tell the rest of the squad?" Ross knew this was coming and he knew it was going to be difficult for both of them.

"You are to tell them nothing, only that you will be away for forty-eight hours and no more. Is that understood?" "Yes sir" They both said in unison.

"Okay you're dismissed" As they exited the room Ross looked towards his old friend.

"I know you're concerned Ty but they are two of the best, it was outta my hands. The brass requested them so I have to comply". McQueen smiled tightly, he knew neither Glen or himself could have said no to the request but it didn't make it any easier.

"I know that and I also know that they'll come top in the training, that's what I'm worried about" He also wondered silently how Hawkes would cope with this, he knew how close he and Robertson had become.

If anything happened to her he was sure it may push him over the edge.

As Amberley and Shane made their way back to their quarters they talked quietly to each other.

"Why on earth do you think they want us? I've never heard of this before" Amberley smiled tightly, she knew, this had happened to her before. Amberley motioned for Shane to stop.

"Let's go to the Tun I need to talk to you, It'll be quiet in there and no one will hear us" Shane noticed the urgency in Amberley's voice so she nodded. As they sat down with a coffee in a quiet part of the Tun Shane was filled with curiosity.

"C'mon then Amberley what's the big deal here?" Amberley gazed out the window and then focused on Shane. They had gotten on so well from day one and they were now virtually as close as sisters.

"I think I know exactly what's going to happen, we're going to be given a set of tasks and we will be evaluated on them" Shane grinned.

"Sounds like a breeze but why do I get the feeling I'm not gonna like what comes next?" Amberley's face turned deadly serious and she leant conspiratorially across the table to whisper to Shane.

"I've been through this many times, it's always the same. We're being evaluated for a black ops mission" Shane sat back in amazement.

"I don't believe it, what the hell have they gotten in mind?" Amberley looked at Shane.

"I don't know, but it must be real important for top brass to be involved" They sat in companionable silence for a few moments drinking their coffee.

"Oh well Amberley I s'pose we'd better go tell the others and get it over and done with" Amberley nodded, wondering how the hell Cooper was going to take it.

They had a mixed reaction from the others but everyone seemed to accept their explanation.....apart from Cooper.

"Why can't you tell us what's goin' on y'know we wouldn't tell anyone else" Amberley wanted to shout at him and tell him to stop asking but he still had a child's curiosity which seemed insatiable she took a deep breath, then went and sat next to him on his bunk. Taking hold of his hand she tried to explain.

"Look Cooper, you know that Ross wouldn't have told us to keep quiet without a good reason would he?" Cooper still didn't seem too convinced by what she said, so she put her arm around him and smiled at him, that always seemed to have the desired effect.

"Whatever we're going to do is real important and you never know who could be listening. Can you imagine the trouble that would be caused if it was found out that we told you. We'd probably end up being kicked out of the Marines. You wouldn't want that to happen would you?" She looked deep into his eyes with that warm smile.

How could he not agree with her when she looked so cute?

"Yeah okay I get your point, but I'd still like to know why you're goin'"

Shane and the others sighed with relief, Amberley had solved yet another problem with Cooper. As she got up and went to her own bunk Paul whispered to her.

"Hey Amberley, if you ever get tired of being in the Corps you could always be a diplomat" She smiled at him.

"Yeah thanks Paul, I'll bear that in mind"

When it was time for Shane and Amberley to go, the rest of the 5-8 and McQueen were there to see them. When they'd said their goodbyes Amberley looked round to see Cooper with a sadness in his eyes that she hadn't seen since they had become an item. She walked slowly over to where he stood.

"Hey Coop, it's only forty-eight hours then I'll be back. You'll hardly know I'm gone" She smiled up at him, but she still couldn't raise a smile on him.

"Look Cooper I've gotta go" With that she decided that she was going to kiss him. To hell with what everyone else thought. She softly kissed him on the cheek as she whispered.

"I miss you already, keep away from the single women in the Tun. I have spies everywhere" He grinned.

"Yeah okay, but don't stay away any longer or I might change my mind"

Shane and Amberley made their way to their Hammerheads and McQueen came over to them.

"Good luck, remember you're the best. Prove that to the brass" Both girls nodded. The claxton sounded for everyone to exit the flight deck. Amberley turned to see them all watching, she thought she saw Cooper mouth something to her but she wasn't sure what so she just put her thumbs up.

Cooper wasn't sure if she'd seen what he said to her, but if not he'd just have to tell her he loved her when she got back.

When they arrived at Loxley they were directed to one of the large hangars, Shane smiled faintly as she remembered her accelerated flight training here.

"Cooper will be glad he's not here with us" Amberley looked at her questioningly.

"Why's that Shane?" She laughed and turned to Amberley.

"When we had our accelerated flight training here Cooper wasn't too popular with a certain Sgt Bogous. In those days Coop was fairly bad at following orders so he had to deal with Bogous' sharp tongue quite a lot" Amberley grinned back, she'd had training with Bogous too.

"That I would like to have seen. Bogous could be pretty awesome at times" They both laughed and went inside the hangar.

Inside there were about twenty groups of Marines milling around and talking quietly in small groups.

"Do they always have this many groups for evaluation?" Amberley frowned shaking her head.

"Whatever it is it must be a real important mission, there's normally less than half this amount for evaluation" There was no more time for speculation as two officers came in and stood at the front of the group.

"Okay people you have been selected for two days of accelerated training, over the next forty-eight hours I, Sergeant Sanderson will be in charge of you. I expect a hundred and ten percent every minute you are here and I take no passengers is that clear?" They all shouted yes sir.

"Good, you will now be taken to your quarters where you will leave your kit and make your way over to the gym for unarmed combat practice" With that he strode from the hangar with the other man who'd not spoken a word but had looked at them with a deep intensity.

Amberley heard some of them groan at the thought of unarmed combat, but she grinned, this was something she actually enjoyed.

"Amberley will you quit grinnin' it's not that good, this is gonna leave me bruised" She clapped Shane on the shoulder.

"Hey it'll be great, you'll enjoy it it'll be fun" Shane wasn't impressed and said no more.

They dropped their gear and changed into sweat pants and T-shirts. A female Marine walked over to where Amberley and Shane stood.

"This must be real important to have two of the Wildcards here. There's talk it could be a black ops mission what do you think?" Amberley shrugged and Shane spoke.

"No idea, guess we wont find out until they tell us"

In the gym even Amberley was struggling with the unarmed combat, they were certainly putting them through their paces. The training lasted for three hours and most people were bruised or injured in some way. All the time Amberley noticed the man who hadn't spoken in the hangar, he was standing with a clipboard noting things down. Part of the evaluation perhaps.

"Hey perhaps we can hit the showers and rest now" Amberley smiled weakly at Shane.

"I sure hope so" But then they heard Sergeant Sanderson's voice echo round the room.

"Don't get too relaxed people this ain't a health farm, I want you to drop and give me thirty, then outside on the track and go around it twenty times"

Most of them looked incredulously at the Sergeant but got slowly down to the floor. A few others including Shane and Amberley got straight down with no questions. As they finished Amberley and Shane ran out the door and on to the track.

"Hey do you think he's related to Bogous?" Amberley panted.

"Yeah he's just gotta be his evil twin" After they had finished their twenty laps Amberley thought she'd just like to lay on the ground and never move again. She saw the Sergeant coming over to them and whispered to Shane.

"Don't tell me he wants us to free fall from an APC now."

"Right people, go get showered and have somethin' to eat, the rest of the evening is yours. But remember I want you up at 05.00 hours in the morning with a clear head. Is that understood?" They all acknowledged and then slowly made their way back to their quarters. Amberley took a quick glance back to see the man with the clipboard in deep conversation with Sanderson, she also saw him incline his head to where her and Shane were. She whispered to Shane. "Don't look round but the guy with the clipboard is talking to Sanderson about us" Shane laughed softly. "Yeah well hopefully he's gonna say we're useless and send us back to the Saratoga" Amberley wasn't too sure about that.

After they had showered and eaten they all went for a drink in Asteroids. One of the Marines was getting pretty steamed and was talking rather loudly.

"Hey this has gotta be a black ops evaluation what do you guys think?" Most people were uncommitted in what they said, but this didn't shut him up.

"Well that's what I think, c'mon they've got the cream of the Corps here what else could it be?" Shane was getting annoyed, Amberley just hoped this didn't turn into a fight.

"Well it's not for us to question, we're Marines we do what we're told and go where we're told. We'll find out if they want us to" He got to his feet and leaned over the table at Shane.

"Yeah right, I s'pose after takin' orders from a tank you'll follow anyone"

Amberley felt anger building up in her and knew Shane too was on the verge of decking him, she put her arm on Shane's.

"Hey Shane we know our CO is the best, he's just talking crap, ignore it" She felt Shane relax a bit, but this guy kept on what he said next nearly cost him dearly.

"Oh you girls sure are touchy, don't tell me you love tanks maybe you're even screwin' around with one" Amberley stood up rage clearly showing on her face as she moved slowly around to where he was sitting. He looked up at her with a lopsided drunken smile.

"Oh touched a nerve have I baby? Tell me what's it like screwin' a tank?" Then she felt Shane's hand on her shoulder.

"Hey, you said it yourself he's not worth it, c'mon Amberley don't give into him, Cooper's worth ten of him"

Amberley relaxed and looked down at the Marine.

"Yeah you're right Shane he's worthless" With that they both exited from the bar back to their quarters, most of the others followed having had enough of his drunken antics. No one saw the man with the clipboard sitting quietly at the bar, he had witnessed the whole scene.

At 05.00 hours the next morning everyone noticed that the drunken Marine and his partner were nowhere to be seen. They were told to have breakfast in the mess and then report to the drill hall straight afterwards. Amberley noticed several devices dotted about the hall she whispered to Shane.

"These look like different timing devices for explosives" Before she had time to reply Sergeant Sanderson stood in front and spoke.

"In this room you will see several detonation devices, you will go in here two at a time and have one hour to set them all correctly and without error. First off will be Captains Vansen and Robertson, the rest vacate the room"

Shane and Amberley looked at each other and Amberley grinned tightly.

"At least we wont get bruised doing this" Shane grunted in reply. Amberley had always been good with the demolition side of the war and had gained a lot of knowledge both in the classroom and in the field. Shane was too, and they swiftly completed the intricate timing devices. As they came to the last one Amberley looked concerned.

"Hey c'mon Amberley we're almost done what's the problem?" She hunkered down and beckoned Shane to do likewise.

"There's something odd about this device, in all my years in the Corps I've never seen anything like it. It's definitely not standard issue" Shane looked surprised.

"Do you think they're tryin' to trick us?" Amberley looked round to the man with the clipboard, if he saw their confusion he didn't let on.

Shane looked straight at Amberley.

"Look we got fifteen mikes to sort this one out let's go for it" Amberley nodded in agreement. First they looked to see if there might be any booby traps set into the mechanism. Amberley shook her head.

"Nah I can't see anything" Then she spotted a tiny fleck of silver on the outer casing, at first it just looked like a scratch but as she looked closer she could see it was a tiny trip wire. She nudged Shane.

"That has to be the smallest trip wire I've ever seen" They grinned at each other, now they knew, they safely removed the booby trap and correctly set the device. With their task completed they stood up, and they still had ten mikes to go until the end of the hour.

The man with the clipboard stood looking at them impassively. Sergeant Sanderson came over to them and showed them out of the drill hall.

Once outside they both took a deep breath and headed for their quarters where they were told to await further instruction. They flopped down on their bunks talking quietly to each other.

"Hey I wonder what the rest of the 'cards are doin' now?" Shane grinned at Amberley.

"Well if they're not out on a mission Coop is probably bitchin' about somethin', Nathan and Paul are arguing about football and poor 'Phousse is tryin' to keep the peace" They both laughed and then Amberley fell silent a distant look on her face.

"You're missin' him aren't you?" Amberley smiled sadly at her.

"Yeah Shane I do. I didn't realise how much until I came here. It's as if I've lost a part of me, it's weird"

"Hey it's not weird, it's love. Why don't you tell him? You're so close now, he'll handle it" Amberley sat on the edge of Shane's bed.

"Yeah Shane I know he can handle it, but there never seems to be a right time" Shane put her hand on Amberley's in understanding.

"Just make sure you do it soon, if you leave it too long it might be too late"

Just then Sergeant Sanderson came into the room.

"Captain Vansen, Captain Robertson, you're to come with me now" They both looked quizzically at each other and followed Sanderson from the room.

Cooper was staring at the stars out of one of the windows in the Tun, he wished desperately that Amberley was with him. He missed her so much, how he wished he'd told her he loved her. Nathan walked up beside him and looked out of the window too.

"I wonder what they're gettin' up to? Wherever it is I bet they're givin' the other people hell" Cooper just kept staring out the window, then he turned to look at Nathan, the nearest thing he would ever have to a brother.

"What does love feel like?" Nathan smiled, Cooper had totally lost it where Amberley was concerned. They all knew he loved her.

"It's all kinda weird feelings Coop. You can't eat or sleep properly. When you see her your stomach does somersaults and you can't breathe. When you're without her it hurts so much, the more you're without her the more it aches and you just can't get her outta your mind. Is this about Amberley?" Cooper had a sad smile on his face.

"Yeah Nathan an' I feel all those things and more. It's like I'm missin' a part of me man an' it hurts like hell" Nathan looked knowingly at Cooper and clapped him on the back, thinking about how much pain he felt with the loss of Kylen.

"I know Coop, but in a few hours she'll be back" Cooper smiled but deep in the pit of his stomach he was fearful for Amberley and Shane, something about this whole exercise didn't feel right.

Amberley and Shane were led into a small office. There in full uniform sitting on the other side of the desk was the man with the clipboard. They stood to attention and he waved them to sit down.

"That will be all Sergeant Sanderson you may go now" He sat not speaking but checking over bits of paper he had in front of him.

"Congratulations in spotting the error of the last detonation device, you might be interested to know you were the only ones who did. In fact you came top in every task, does that surprise you?" Both women said nothing.

"Well I'll answer it for you, we expected you to do just that but we had to be sure before asking you to take on one of the most important missions of this war"

"My name is Major Randall, I deal exclusively with black ops missions" Amberley looked at Shane as if to say, I told you so.

This was not lost on the Major.

"Ah Captain Robertson of course you have been on many black ops missions" She just nodded.

"Well Captains what you are about to hear is ultra ultra red compartmentalised, I'm sure you know what that means if you breathe a word of this outside these four walls?"

"Yes sir" They said in unison.

"I will now give you details of the mission, but if you decide not to take it you must never mention it again not even to each other" They both nodded.

He put up a holographic map of a planet they didn't recognise.

"This is the planet Xenon, uninteresting sort of place isn't it? But it hides many secrets. We have had numerous recon missions to Xenon and what we've uncovered could destroy our part in this war" He slowly paced around the table to sit on the edge right in front of them.

"The Chigs use this planet as a massive ammo dump, there are also scientific laboratories down there. Inside these labs we've discovered they are building a second Chig stealth bomber, the same as the one your Colonel McQueen destroyed" The women couldn't hide their surprise, but the major carried on.

"Your mission, if you decide to accept it is to get down onto Xenon blow the ammo, the labs and the stealth bomber. You have a twenty-four hour window in which to do it. Until the extraction time you will be completely on your own, are there any questions?" Amberley spoke up.

"Sir, do we know how many of the enemy we are likely to encounter?"

"There will be only a handful of Chigs, which includes the scientists. The planet is policed by the AIs"

Both women shuddered inwardly at the prospect of another meeting with the AIs but they looked at each other and in that look they could both see determination, they would be accepting this mission, whatever the risks. Randall saw the look that passed between them and was relieved, these women were the best he'd seen, they would get the job done.

Randall went on to describe how they would operate down on planet and explained the layout of the facility.

"You will now return to the Saratoga. You will leave for Xenon by ISSAPC at 03.00 hours the following day and be dropped by parachute. Good luck"

As they made their way back to their quarters to get their gear, the air was tense.

"We must be crazy" Shane stated it as a fact.

"Well that's why they call us the Wildcards" Amberley frowned she was worried, what the hell would Cooper think about all this?

Cooper sat on his bunk reading a comic when one of the flightcrew came by to let them know that Shane and Amberley were due to arrive in fifteen mikes. He shot from the bunk and nearly pushed the crewman over.

"Hey what's his problem?" Nathan laughed.

"He's missed them that's all"

Cooper couldn't believe how long the docking procedure seemed to take, he was sure it didn't always take this long. Then he saw the Hammerheads come up through the floor, then the cockpits opened.....and there was the woman he loved. He watched as she went to get out of the Hammerhead, he couldn't wait any longer. He ran up to her Hammerhead and gently lifted her down swinging her around as he did so. Amberley put her arms around his neck and kissed him softly on the lips.

"Hi Cooper have you missed me?" He looked at her beautiful smiling face and his heart melted.

"Yeah, and I want you to promise you'll never leave me again"

Amberley felt sick in her stomach, she couldn't promise that. She looked around her realising that McQueen, the flightcrew and the rest of the 5-8 were watching them. Knowing the flightcrew this would be all over the 'toga by the evening, who cared she didn't want to hide it anymore.

"Um Cooper we'll talk later, we've got an audience right now" He looked around shyly.

"Err yeah right" He gently put her back on the ground. McQueen walked up to the girls.

"Everything okay?" They both nodded and the worried look on his face didn't pass unnoticed by either of them.

As they sat in the Tun later that evening playing poker no one asked Shane or Amberley where they had been, but all had a feeling that there was something going on. Amberley looked over at Cooper and realised there was something she must do. She got up and went to him.

"Cooper I need to talk to you c'mon let's go for a walk" He nodded and got up from the table, much to his surprise Amberley linked her arm with his and snuggled up close, she'd never done this in plain view before but he didn't care this felt great. Amberley could see some surprised and disgusted looks on a few Marines faces but she didn't care who knew anymore.

They made their way to Cooper's special place and sat down on the floor with Amberley cradled in Cooper's arms. She turned to face him kneeling down.

"Cooper I've been meaning to do this for a long time" He started to say something but she stopped him. He watched as she held the St Christopher in her hand, she always wore it.

"Simon gave this to me as my engagement present" She smiled sadly and looked deep into Cooper's eyes.

"He once said to me that if anything ever happened to him I was to give this to the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with" Cooper watched amazed as she undid the clasp and slowly put it around his neck.

"I've found that man now. Cooper I love you and I really want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you wear this for me?" His heart started beating faster and he lost his breath.

"Y you wanna be with me always? Do ya really mean it?" Amberley nodded.

"Yeah I do Cooper" He gave her the most beautiful smile she had ever seen.

"Yeah I wanna wear it, and yeah I wanna be with you too" Amberley gently did the clasp up around his neck. They fell into each others arms and kissed gently sending shivers of pleasure throughout each others' bodies. As they broke from their kiss and held each other close Amberley wondered what Cooper would feel like when he realised that she had left him to go on a mission that could cost them their happiness and her life.

Amberley lay in her bunk tossing and turning, now more than ever she knew she had to get some sleep, but she just couldn't. She had written a letter for Cooper which she wanted him to read if she didn't return from her mission. Slowly she crept to Cooper's bunk and slid it under his pillow. She worried about Cooper, sure that he would never forgive her for this but this was something she had to do and she kept telling herself it was her duty as a US Marine to take on these missions. With these thoughts flying round in her mind she drifted off into a restless dream filled sleep flowing with blood and death.

She awoke to see Shane slowly rising from her bunk and followed suit. Quietly they changed into their flightsuits. Amberley jumped as her open locker door was slammed shut stirring everyone in the room to wakefulness. She looked up to see Cooper his face blazing with hurt and fury.

"I shoulda known, you're just like the rest. You say you like me and then you disappear. Is that how much you really like me Amberley huh? I asked you never to leave me again and then I find you sneakin' off in the middle of the night, to do God knows what. You're goin' on a black ops mission ain't ya?" Amberley couldn't look him in the face, she couldn't bear to see the pain she knew she'd find there. She was vaguely aware of everyone watching and of Shane trying to pacify the rest.

Amberley kept looking at her feet unsure of what to do or say, she hadn't expected this. Cooper took her roughly by the shoulders and shook her.

"Tell me Amberley did you give me that necklace just to make me feel better when I get a brown letter to say you've been killed in action. Is this supposed to make the hurt go away?" He had tears standing out in his eyes and Amberley thought she would die with all the pain he had and the words he was saying. This was the last thing she wanted before a secret mission.

"Cooper I gave you the necklace because I love you, I wasn't trying to trick you I'm crazy about you, you've got to believe me. You know Shane or I were unable to tell you what we were doing, it's all classified"

Cooper laughed mockingly at her. "

Yeah right I know I've been there I know the deal" Amberley touched his arm.

"Cooper please don't let me go like this I love you and I need to know you'll be waiting for me when I get back. I need something good to help me get through this" Tears of frustration were running down her cheeks now she just didn't know what else to say. He took her hand roughly away from his arm as if it might be diseased.

"Don't touch me, don't come near me. I don't wanna hear anymore lies!" With that he stormed from the room, as it shut it sounded like a prison cell door closing.

Amberley collapsed onto one of the chairs in their quarters.

"What the hell did he want me to do?" She looked pleadingly at all of them. No one could offer her any words of comfort. "I really didn't want this to happen, why the hell did he have to wake up?" Shane moved over to her. "Amberley, I'm sorry but we've gotta go. C'mon, Nathan and the others will look after him" Amberley nodded dumbly and then they hugged the rest of the 5-8 and made their way down to the flightdeck.

Cooper raged through the corridors not knowing where he was going. He felt so much hurt inside him, he loved Amberley so much and now because he was so stupid he let her go on a mission without telling her how he really felt about her. He slammed into someone and raised his fists to find McQueen standing in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing Hawkes? Get back to your quarters" Cooper wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

"Um sorry Colnel. Did you know Robertson and Vansen were goin' on a black ops mission?"

"I had a feeling but it's not something we can question Hawkes, they are Marines and that is what they are trained for"

McQueen looked at Hawkes and saw just how much pain there was in his face.

"You saw them go didn't you?" Cooper looked up guiltily at McQueen.

"Did you fight with Robertson?" He hung his head in shame. McQueen looked at him with steely blue eyes.

"What I'm about to do could get us both court-martialled. Follow me" Cooper strode after McQueen as they made their way towards the flight decks.

Amberley tried to focus on getting to the ISSAPC that was to take them to Xenon, but her mind was in absolute turmoil. Shane looked at her with concern.

"Amberley you know Cooper didn't mean what he said he's just scared that something might happen to you. He's still learning how to say things properly. For now you've gotta put it to the back of your mind, concentrate on the mission" Amberley smiled weakly at her.

"Yeah I know, the thing that hurts the most is the fact he hasn't said he loves me, perhaps he wont care if I don't come back"

At that moment McQueen strode round the corner with Cooper trailing behind him. Amberley's heart was in her mouth, but she recovered enough to regain her composure and salute.

"Robertson and Hawkes you have got five mikes to sort this out, after that you get started on your mission is that clear?" They both nodded and McQueen motioned that they should go inside the APC for some privacy.

Once inside Amberley didn't know quite what to say. Cooper pulled her to him and crushed her to his body stroking her hair. Amberley sobbed in relief.

"Amberley I didn't mean what I said it's just that I'm scared of bein' without you. When I went on a black ops mission, there were two of us an' only one came back. I'm so scared it's gonna happen again to you or Shane. Losing Shane would be real bad but I dunno what I'd do without you" Amberley looked up at him and smiled.

"I'll be back Cooper, we'll both be back, you must believe that. I need to know you'll be waiting for me" Cooper pressed his lips to Amberley's in a long, hungry, desperate kiss.

It was as if they were trying to capture the taste of each other to help ease the pain. As they parted Cooper looked deep into her eyes.

"I love you Amberley, I'll always love you" Her breath caught in her throat, oh how she'd longed to hear him say that. Then he slipped the silver ring off his finger and put it on Amberley's. It was too big so Amberley put it on her thumb knowing it wouldn't come off.

"There's one more thing I need to say Cooper, I've left a letter under your pillow. I want you to promise me you wont read it until I've been gone over twenty-four hours" He nodded mutely, not knowing what to say.

"Hey I love you too Cooper and don't forget it"

McQueen and Shane entered the ISSAPC.

"Hawkes it's time to go" He said it kindly, Amberley was grateful for that, the last thing Cooper wanted at that moment was someone screaming at him. He wished Shane and Amberley good luck and exited the vehicle.

Cooper hugged Shane and kissed Amberley one last time. He watched as the doors clanged shut, it sounded so final. With pain in his heart and fear in his stomach he made his way slowly back to the 'cards quarters.

Amberley and Shane checked their parachutes to make sure everything was in working order and without anymore checks to make they sat back down.

"Did you and Cooper make it up okay?" Amberley smiled softly at Shane.

"Yeah, we've finally admitted to each other how we feel. I just hope it helps to ease the pain" Shane put her arm around Amberley.

"I'm glad about that, you two should have said those things weeks ago. It seems ages since you admitted to Vanessa and me that you loved him" Amberley chuckled.

"Yeah well I suppose all good things are worth waiting for and believe me he said those words at just the right time" They sat in companionable silence until it was time for them to make ready.

Just before the doors opened to drop them into hell they hugged each other tight. Then they fell silently into the dark night sky of Xenon.

As Cooper entered the quarters he saw that all three were waiting up for him. Vanessa crept from her bunk and hugged Cooper tight. He melted into her arms gratefully. Vanessa looked up at him.

"Hey Cooper it's okay, they'll both be back you just have to have faith and believe" Cooper smiled a sad smile.

"Yeah I know, thanks ''Phousse. I've already seen my sister die, I dunno how I'm gonna deal with it if Amberley or Shane die on me" Paul clapped him on the shoulder and Nathan grabbed him in a bear hug and spoke quietly to him.

"Hey man they're comin' back, you wont lose the woman you love or your other "sister", they'll come back" Cooper strode over to his bunk and slipped down lifelessly.

"I hope so Nathan, I hope so" McQueen stepped through the door.

"You all need to get to sleep you have a mission in the morning. They'll be back, I have faith in them and you too must be strong and believe that they'll be back" With that he exited from the room and left his four remaining kids to drift off into a restless sleep.

Amberley and Shane dropped to Xenon without incident and hid their 'chutes from view. They moved swiftly on to where the ammo dump and laboratory were situated. They lay flat on their stomachs surveying the scene through their night sight goggles. They could see no Chig activity whatsoever, only AIs.

"Okay in fifteen mikes they are due to change shifts that's when we make our way to the entrance of the lab" Amberley nodded in reply to Shane feeling the adrenaline pumping through her veins so fast that she thought she'd explode.

As they watched the shift change they made their way slowly down to the entrance. Amberley couldn't help thinking it was all too easy but couldn't air her views in case they were heard. They got into the installation and tried to find their way to the main laboratory where the building of the second stealth bomber was taking place. They only encountered a handful of AIs. It became obvious that they were not expecting anyone brave or foolish enough to attempt to destroy the bomber.

As they went further into the installation Amberley felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle, this was a feeling she hadn't experienced for a very long time. In fact not since her last black ops mission.

Shane came to a large set of double doors with clear glass panes in them and slowly looked through them. Quickly she dropped to her knees signalling that Amberley did the same. She leant over to Amberley and whispered in her ear.

"It's in there" Amberley nodded in acknowledgement and slowly took a look inside. She could see no one about.

"Shane one of us is going to have to go inside there and check it out, I'll go" Shane was reluctant but nodded in agreement.

Amberley checked to see that there weren't any weight sensitive devices on the door which would alert her presence to anyone who may be watching and quietly slipped through the doors.

The sight of the stealth bomber made her heart stop. She had to admit it was sleek and looked like the perfect killing machine, she even thought wistfully what it would be like to fly such a ship. Then she brought herself back to her present task and started to set the device which would blow this mother fucker to kingdom come. She concealed the small detonating mechanism to the underbelly of the craft and grinned to herself in satisfaction happy in the knowledge that this craft would never kill any Marines. She slowly left the lab confident that she had fully completed her task.

"Everything go okay?" Amberley gave Shane the thumbs up and they made their way back to the entrance of the laboratory.

Stealthily they made their way back over the hill to discuss their plans for blowing the ammo dump.

"We have to make sure that both devices go off simultaneously otherwise the damn silicates will know somethin's up" Amberley nodded in agreement.

"I put sixty mikes on the clock which will not start until I press the green button for go, I suggest we do the same for the ammo dump" Shane agreed.

"Then we'll get twenty mikes away and set the clocks okay" Amberley grinned tightly and nodded to Shane.

As they reached the ammo dump Shane mouthed.

"My turn" Amberley nodded.

Shane crawled on her belly and slowly disappeared into the tunnel. Amberley felt she waited for Shane for an eternity but was in reality only about twenty mikes.

"Okay Robertson let's get the hell outta here and blow this pile of shit!" Amberley laughed.

"You got it Captain" They moved slowly away from the area, they got to about two clicks away and hunkered down behind a small hill. Together they put their fingers on the detonation devices, each placing a hand on top of the others.

"Okay Robertson let's make history, in four, three, two, one!" They plunged their fingers down on the devices and started the clocks on their journey to ultimate destruction. Mouthing a silent Hooraah they ran from the scene to a place of safety where they could wait for the APC to pick them up a few hours later.

When they got to relative safety they looked at their chronometers, five mikes until blast off. They slowly counted off the seconds until it got to just five.

"Five, four, three, two, one!" Then the biggest explosion the'd ever heard sounded off in the distance and then they saw the fire showing red and angry in the sky. No more would there be an alien craft to threaten their beloved country and countrymen.

"Good work Robertson, now let's move to the extraction point"

They had just fifteen mikes to extraction when the worst scenario happened. As the APC started to descend something hit it and it went up like a bonfire covered in gas.

"Jesus they're onto us, we've gotta make a run for it Amberley!" If she heard the fear in Shane's voice she didn't mention it, she realised that they had to get out of this area now or the'd be dead, but how the hell would they get off planet without a radio. No one would know they were missing for the next six hours.

Somehow they just had to stay alive. As they stumbled through the undergrowth Amberley felt something whiz past her ear.

"Christ Shane the AIs are behind us we're gonna have to run like hell!"

Shane just grunted and they ran for their very lives. Both remembered what it was like to be taken prisoner and knew there would be no mercy for them if they were caught. Amberley's breath was coming in short sharp gasps and she knew she couldn't go on much longer.

"Shane I've gotta stop I'm sick of this running crap, I'd rather die in a gunfight than at the hands of those silicate bastards" Shane had to agree, which was just as well because as they ran over the hill they were confronted with ten AIs and they looked around to find ten more behind them. Amberley grinned tightly.

"Hey Shane it's been great to know you, you're like a second sister to me, I just wanted you to know that" Shane smiled grimly.

"Yeah me too, I'm just sorry that I didn't get to your wedding"

With that the girls stood back to back and fired their M-590s until they were out of ammo, but not before taking eight silicates down. With no ammo left Shane shouted out.

"Go on them kill us you silicate bastards, we've done our job and there's not a damn thing you can do about it" Then they waited for the death volley to ring out, but after five mikes nothing. Then they heard something that chilled them to the bone.

"Well haven't you two been naughty? You've caused us a lot of problems with our alien friends and now we have to make amends. If it was up to us you'd die here and now, but I'm afraid they've got other plans for you. You're gonna die slowly and in front of the whole of the Earth. Congratulations bitches you're gonna be tried as war criminals" Amberley drew her K-bar.

"You're not taking us anywhere you fucking silicate bastards" Shane did the same but the silicates just laughed.

"My oh my we've got ourselves a couple of heroes here" Then the Elroy model turned and sneered at them.

"By the time you're executed you're gonna be begging us for mercy. He pointed his gun and shot each of them just below the knee.

Amberley felt pain sear through her body but she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of falling to her knees, neither was Shane so they held onto each other and stood staring in defiance at the AIs that surrounded them. The AIs made their way slowly towards them and kicked the women to the ground until they were unconscious.

It had been over twenty-four hours since Amberley and Shane had left the Saratoga and Cooper felt that somehow the mission had gone wrong. He didn't know why, it was just a feeling he had. He confided in Nathan.

"Nathan we gotta find out how the mission went I just know that somethin's wrong" Nathan wanted to reassure him but in his heart of hearts he knew something had gone wrong. He decided to go to Colonel McQueen, the rest of them went with him.

As Nathan banged on his door he felt like running away.

"Who's at my hatch?"

"It's the 58th sir" McQueen opened the door.

"It's a little late for social calls don't you think?" Cooper strode to the front.

"Sir somethin's happened to Vansen and Robertson hasn't it?"

McQueen had wanted to keep it from them but he should have known his kids were sharper than that. He beckoned for them to come in.

"What I am going to tell you goes no further, understood?" They all nodded.

"The brass had found out that the Chigs were building a second stealth bomber" Everyone looked at each other in shock, then McQueen carried on.

"Vansen and Robertson were picked to blow the laboratory where it was being built and one of the Chigs largest ammo dumps too. We have since learned that they have completed their task. But the APC that was to have picked them up was destroyed before they could get to them. We believe that they are now POWs"

Cooper's heart sank, this was the news that he was dreading to hear. Knowing what the AIs were like he knew both women didn't stand a chance. Nathan stepped forward.

"Sir I volunteer the 58th to go on the rescue mission" All the rest nodded in agreement. McQueen put his hand up.

"If they were still on planet we'd be there now. Intelligence tells us that they have been taken off planet, probably bound for Kazbek" This chilled their very souls knowing what torture awaited them there. Cooper and the rest of the 5-8 made their way silently back to their quarters. As they entered Cooper remembered the letter Amberley had said was under his pillow.

Amberley painfully opened her eyes and felt a burning pain below her left knee and the rest of her body felt like it had been used as a punch bag. She gingerly say upright feeling every part of her body groan in protest. As her eyes focused in the dim light she could see she was in a very small cell, on the other side of the room she could see something crumpled on the floor....Shane. Shane slowly stirred and Amberley slid over to her side of the room not even trying to get up, after the gunshot wound and beating they received from the AIs it was probably the worst thing she could do.

"Hey Shane is it a silly question to ask how you are?" Shane got into a sitting position and smiled tightly.

"Yeah, let's just say I'd rather be back with Bogous makin' me drop and give him fifty right now" They sat silently for a moment.

"Shane you do realise that there's no way we're gonna be rescued from here don't you?" Shane nodded slowly.

"I know, but if we don't get our legs seen to It'll only be a matter of time anyway" Amberley had to agree with that. Just then the door came open and in walked two AIs.

"Glad to see you girls are awake, time to become famous. You're gonna be movie stars"

They were dragged roughly to their feet and handcuffed, the pain of standing was incredible Amberley really wanted to scream out in pain but there was no way she would, Shane too would not give them that satisfaction.

Commodore Ross was stalking the operations centre with McQueen, both pacing up and down like wild animals desperate to escape and kill someone, anyone, to satisfy the rage and sheer frustration that was inside them.

"Sir I have an emergency message coming in on the secure channel, It's not a code I recognize" Ross and McQueen went over to the nervous looking young Lieutenant.

"Patch it through now Lieutenant" "This is Commodore Ross of the USS Saratoga, state your business" There was a pause and then the familiar electronic buzz of the AIs.

"Ah so good to speak to you Commodore. I want you to listen, don't interrupt and do as I say or Vansen and Robertson will die now" The veins on Ross's neck stood out in fury.

"I'm listening" There was a pause then the AI spoke.

"Good, you are to instruct everyone aboard the Saratoga to get themselves in front of a video screen in the next ten minutes, there's something they need to see" Before he could respond the communication was cut.

The Commodore got onto the mike as soon as the transmission was gone.

"This is the Commodore speaking, you are to go immediately to the nearest video screen within the next ten mikes and that's an order" He turned to look at McQueen.

"Ty I don't like this one little bit, get to the Wildcards now. Somethin' tells me they're gonna need you, especially Hawkes" McQueen nodded and flew from the room.

As they sat in the rec room waiting for something to appear on the screen Cooper had a sinking feeling in his stomach, something bad was about to happen. He had Amberley's letter in his hand, he'd been just about to open it when McQueen had come in and ordered them to the rec room.

A picture flickered to life and there on the screen stood an AI.

"Glad you could all make it. This is a warning to any other Marines who want to be heroes. This is to let you know that our alien comrades and ourselves take a dim view of anyone who tries to upset our plans" The AI turned around and beckoned to someone behind him.

When Cooper saw the image on the screen he felt like he'd been hit by a smart grenade, this was unbearable. Amberley and Shane appeared, they were being held with their hair yanked back so that everyone could make no mistake about who they were. The room went deathly silent and still. Both girls had cuts and bruises on their faces and Cooper was sure they must be injured elsewhere because of the pain he could see etched in their faces. At the same time they looked proud and defiant.

"These carbonites are going to pay dearly for the destruction they caused on Xenon, they are to be taken to the Chigs' home planet where they will be publicly executed. No more heroics please, you'll never be able to get them back so take this as your last goodbye to them" With that the screen went dead.

Everyone sat in stunned silence and most eyes rested on Cooper and the rest of the Wildcards. Cooper felt numb all over and he started to shake in an uncontrollable rage. Before anyone could stop him he'd slammed his chair to the floor and fled from the room. McQueen and the rest of the 5-8 ran after him.

"Hawkes come back here now, don't do anything stupid that you might regret later" Cooper turned around to see concern and sympathy in McQueen's eyes.

"Sir, I ain't gonna do anythin' stupid. I just need to be alone" Before anyone could stop him he'd stormed off.

McQueen looked at the dejected faces of the other 'cards and realised he had to keep them held together despite his own fury and desperation.

"Listen up people I am going to see the Commodore, to see if they can detect which planet that message came from. When I find out I'll personally volunteer the 5-8 to go on the rescue mission, you have my word" Now go find Hawkes before he does anything stupid the last thing we need now is a loose canon" They nodded and went off in search of Cooper.

Cooper stumbled into the Tun and bought a bottle of scotch. He sat himself at a table in a quiet corner of the bar. He wanted to cry but couldn't, he felt so lonely. He'd not felt like this since the gang had tried to hang him. He wanted to rip all the tables and chairs apart with his bear hands but even he knew that this wouldn't help the situation.

Slowly he looked down at the envelope and opened it. At the sight of her words he felt a lump in his throat. It read:

"My darling Cooper, if you've opened this letter I will have been missing in action for over twenty-four hours. I just want you to know that I never wanted to leave you but sometimes we have to do the right thing which is rarely the easiest. You must believe that I love you, I have never loved anyone the way I love you. I just wish this damn war was at an end and we could live together in ordinary times. Unfortunately things don't always go the way we want them to. I know that you are probably hurting real bad right now and feel alone, but don't, you have McQueen and the rest of the 5-8, don't shut them out let them help you through this. Hopefully someone will send out a rescue mission to get Shane and me back, hopefully that someone will be you. Hey you're my hero so don't let me down. As Kylen once said to Nathan I believe in you and you must believe in me too. Come find us Cooper and take us home. If the worse scenario happens and I am dead, I want you to remember that I love you more than anything else in this Universe. Thank you for loving me in return. I wish I had time to write more but I haven't.

Yours forever, Amberley"

Cooper felt tears in his eyes stabbing at him like red hot daggers, at that moment in time he felt like he was the only man alive. He lifted the scotch bottle to his lips and drank half a bottle in one go. Sitting at the bar were a couple of Marines from a visiting squadron, he knew they'd been watching him and as he listened to their conversation he felt an unending anger build up in his stomach.

"Dunno what he's so upset about. Yeah so two women are gonna die, so what? This shit happens in war and at least they got the job done" The other Marine tried to keep his friend quiet knowing that this was going to end in a fight if he didn't shut up.

"C'mon Frank, you've had too much to drink let's go" But Frank wasn't having any of it.

"Hey tank, just because you've lost a stupid natural born whore who screwed you because she felt sorry for you, there's no need to get cranky. I'm sure you'll find another tart who'll take her place" The other Marine tried to drag Frank from the Tun.

Too late Cooper was totally over the edge now and no one was going to stop him killing this bastard.

Cooper slammed his fist into Frank's mouth sending teeth and blood flying over the bar. As his friend tried to stop him Cooper lifted him bodily off the floor and slung him at the mirror behind the bar. Cooper had completely lost it and again he picked up Frank and started hitting him like a rag doll.

McQueen and the rest of the 5-8 picked that time to come into the Tun, someone else in the bar had run to tell them what had happened. It took all of them to drag Cooper away from him. Cooper was still trying to lash out at anyone in his way, he wanted this guy dead. McQueen managed to push Cooper away and up against a wall.

"ENOUGH COOPER!! It's done, he's not worth it. Do you understand me? DO YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"

Cooper came back to reality and slumped to the floor.

McQueen turned round to look at the rest of the 'cards.

"Get these worthless pieces of shit outta here now!" They nodded and dragged the two men from the room. Cooper reached for his bottle of scotch hoping to drown into oblivion, at that moment in time no one else mattered to him he just wanted to be left alone.

McQueen sat at the table with Cooper, concern showing deep in his eyes. If he didn't get Cooper focused soon, he would end up just as he had before he joined the Corps.

"Cooper listen to me. In a few hours we are going on a rescue mission" Cooper looked up and McQueen was relieved to see hope in Cooper's eyes.

"Sir have they found out where they are, is it Kazbek?" McQueen nodded grimly.

"But you need to get yourself together, you wont help Vansen or Robertson if you lose it. Is that clear?" Cooper nodded and played with Amberley's letter, his mind suddenly made up.

"Sir I know a lot of people think she just feels sorry for me, but she doesn't. I want you to read this" McQueen started to protest but Cooper pushed the letter into his hand. McQueen read it through feeling pride for this woman. She was truly devoted to him and he breathed a sigh of relief, she was definitely the right sort of woman that Cooper needed.

"You're very lucky to have her Hawkes, not many people get that much love, not even natural borns. Right now you've gotta sober up and get your mind focused" They looked up to see the rest of the 5-8 had returned.

"Okay listen up, we ship out in just under four hours. Fill Hawkes with black coffee and report to the briefing room thirty mikes before the mission time, is that understood?" They all nodded and left quickly for their quarters.

After the video broadcast Amberley and Shane had been thrown back into their cell.

"Get some rest girls, this could be the last sleep you ever have" The AIs laughed as they shut the door to the cell.

"God Shane how's Cooper gonna deal with this? The rest are gonna find it hard enough but I really don't know that Cooper will cope" Shane put her arm around Amberley as they huddled together on the floor.

"Hey that's just like you. We're about to be killed on the Chigs' home planet and you're worryin' about the others. I guess at this moment Cooper is most probably tearing the 'toga apart closely followed by McQueen and the other 'cards" Amberley laughed softly and then shuddered.

"Shane I have never felt so scared in all my life. I knew that the possibility of getting killed could happen, but I imagined going out in a blaze of glory, not half killed and then executed on some far off planet" Shane nodded weakly.

"I feel it too Amberley. I've not been this scared since the night I saw my parents killed. God now I know how they felt" They clung onto each other tightly finding solace in the fact they both felt the same. They drifted off into an uneasy painfilled sleep, praying to whatever God maybe listening that they would be rescued.

Thirty mikes before the mission the Wildcards strode into the briefing room. There were two other squads plus Ross and McQueen in the room. Ross strode to the front and looked at the determination in all their eyes.

"In thirty mikes you will leave for the planet Kazbek, the point of the mission is to rescue Captains Robertson and Vansen. Colonel McQueen will be going with you. It is believed they are being held in the same detention block that the Wildcards have been held in. If you have to tear that planet apart bit by bit, then do it just bring our Marines home"

As McQueen described how their mission would take place and gave everyone their co-ordinates, Cooper listened but felt numb and cold. He was desperate to get Amberley and Shane back but he was still in a state of shock. He kept seeing images of Amberley's bruised and bloodied face and imagined the AIs torturing her. He started to shake again feeling a fresh wave of anger roll over him. He felt a small hand grip his and squeeze it tightly.

He looked up to see Vanessa's kind brown eyes staring into his with determination and hope. He managed a small smile.

After the briefing they went directly to the waiting APC complete with a medical crew. As they took their seats and made final checks on their gear McQueen sat next to Cooper.

"Hawkes, you're not the only one who wants to bring them back. Don't go gung-ho down there, remember you're part of a team. The last thing we want is for someone to do their own thing and alert the AIs to our presence, do you understand me?" Cooper looked at McQueen and nodded in understanding, the last thing he wanted to do was jeopardise the women's' safety. McQueen nodded back. He looked around him at the rest of the Marines, no one was talking the atmosphere was so thick it was almost tangible. Everyone was focused, determined. McQueen was relieved to see this as he knew this would be their only chance to rescue them.

The APC landed almost without any noise as if the vehicle could almost understand the urgency of the mission.

"People we are about four clicks away from the penal facility, you all know what you've gotta do. Be safe and be cautious" Quietly they filed out of the APC and made their way to their designated positions. McQueen grabbed Nathan by the arm as he went past.

"West you and I are with Hawkes. He's gonna have to be watched carefully, if he goes ballistic down here we could all find ourselves on the way to the Chigs' home planet" Nathan nodded in understanding and they moved off.

The door to the women's'cell clanged open and they were prodded with the butt of a gun.

"Just to let you carbonite bitches know that in an hour's time you will be on your way to your final resting place" Amberley stared up at her captors, to hell with them she was gonna say her piece.

"Do what you want you silicate bastards. You've failed, we've completed our mission. You may have us killed but we've saved the lives of all our Marine comrades so deal with it!" One of the AIs smacked her across the jaw with the butt of his gun.

Shane spat at him and she too received the same punishment.

"Perhaps we should just kill you and have done with it. Vansen you could die the same way as your parents and Robertson you could go the same way as Simon" "Shane spat the words out between gritted teeth.

"Go to hell" "Oh we will, but we'll be takin' you with us. You leave in one hour" With that the door slammed shut.

"Shane why the hell can't I learn to keep my big mouth shut?" Shane chuckled sadly.

"You've spent way too much time around Cooper" At the mention of his name Amberley began to sob. Shane held her close trying to comfort her, but she knew time was running out for both of them.

As McQueen made his way to the top of the hill they could see a ship being made ready.

"Good they haven't left yet. Okay people you all know what to do and where to go. Watch your sixes and let's get our Marines back safely" They made their way with stealth to the penal facility.

McQueen, West and Hawkes encountered their first AIs just inside the entrance. It was obvious they were not expecting a rescue attempt and they were easily disposed of. Hawkes could feel the adrenaline pumping round his body, his heart was beating so fast it was almost painful. They came across the first lot of cells and broke down the doors....they were empty.

In the distance they could hear gunshots, hopefully the rest of the Marines were doing okay.

"Let's move out, we don't have much time" With the note of urgency in McQueen's voice they quickened their pace.

"Shane did you hear that? It sounded like gunfire" Shane hadn't heard.

This made Amberley doubt herself. Both of them were suffering from the beatings they had received and she couldn't remember the last time they had eaten or drunk anything. Then they heard gunshots in the corridor outside, both girls looked at each other.

"Amberley I'm not gonna lay on the floor waiting for them to drag us out, let's stand up I don't wanna give them the satisfaction of seeing us defeated" Amberley could only nod, both of them stood up holding onto each other trying to give each other comfort.

Suddenly the gunfire ceased and the door to their cell started to open. Amberley and Shane held onto each other tighter, waiting for the inevitable to happen.

As the door came open they saw a rifle barrel appear, this was closely followed by Paul Wang. Both girls sobbed with relief, Paul was followed by Vanessa.

"Oh thank God we've found you" Vanessa and Paul managed to get them seated and Paul radioed to the others while Vanessa tried to release them from their bonds.

"Queen six this is Joker, we've found them" A great cheer went up and Cooper nearly collapsed with relief. Then he ran to the cell where Amberley and Shane were.

As he walked through the door he stood still. The sight of Amberley looking so badly injured made his heart break into a million pieces. She looked up at him with tears of pain and relief standing out in her eyes.

"Hi Cooper thanks for dropping by" Cooper slowly made his way over to her. He dropped to his knees and gently took her in his arms and cradled her like a baby, he was shocked at the amount of damage that had been done to both girls' faces. He hoped Amberley hadn't seen that shock reflected in his eyes. He heard her wince in pain and looked at her, his beautiful big blue eyes full of concern.

"It's okay Coop, I think I can stand the pain. Hold me again" He lifted her easily into his arms and carried her from the room.

"Oh God I thought I'd lost you for good" She felt his tears fall onto her face.

"Hey it's okay, you don't get rid of me that easily" He smiled weakly and started towards the entrance of the penal facility with Paul following behind with Shane in his arms.

Nathan and McQueen were outside waiting for them. Nathan just smiled at them, he didn't think he could trust himself to say anything. Even McQueen couldn't hide the relief he had in his eyes.

"It's good to see you captains, welcome home. Medics here now!" Then the medics were swarming over them, both girls would need urgent medical treatment on the Saratoga, all they could do for the moment was stabilise them and make them comfortable. As the doors of the APC closed Amberley said a silent to prayer to whoever was listening, she never thought she'd see the insides of one of these again.

The pain she was feeling was substantial and it took all the strength she had left in her to stop from crying out. The medics seemed to be putting needles and God knows what else into her and Shane but she was too weak to protest, the painkillers had started to work and she started to feel drowsy.

"Cooper, where's Cooper?" One of the medics went to get him, they had been shooed out of the way so the medics could work in peace, seeing that Amberley was becoming distressed they decided it would be better to get him.

Amberley's eyes had closed but she seemed to sense that Cooper was there and her eyelids fluttered open to see Cooper kneeling down beside her.

"Cooper hold my hand, don't leave me" He looked uncertainly towards the doctor and he nodded in agreement. Cooper smiled gratefully at him.

"It's okay babe I'm here I'm not gonna leave you" He wasn't sure if she'd heard him as she drifted off to sleep but he saw the trace of a smile on her face. He wanted to say things to her, things to make her feel better but he didn't know the right words.

He cursed himself for being so stupid. As he looked at her bloodied and bruised face again he was sure whatever he said would be useless.

The Doctor put his arm on Cooper's shoulder.

"Don't worry son she's in good hands now" Cooper looked up at the doctor's kindly face.

"Sir, are they both gonna be okay?" The doctor smiled again.

"We've got them both stabilised at the moment, that's all we can do for them. Both will need surgery on their gunshot wounds and there may be some broken ribs and other internal injuries, we can't say for certain at the moment" The best thing you and the rest of your squad can do is to be there for them, okay? It's going to be a long time before they are fully healed and they'll need all the help you can give them in their recovery process" He patted Cooper's shoulder again and moved off to check on Shane.

As they docked with the Saratoga the whole place seemed to be alive with movement. Commodore Ross was pacing about impatiently and what seemed to be the whole medical crew of the 'toga was there too. The stretchers with Amberley and Shane were taken off first and they were rushed to the infirmary for urgent treatment.

They had managed to rescue some other POWs at the same time and they too were rushed to the infirmary. Ross surveyed McQueen and the rest of the 5-8, they looked weary and stressed but he could see there was also relief in their faces.

"Well done 5-8. I know this will seem impossible but you need to go shower and eat. You've earned the rest" Cooper was about to protest but Ross put up his hand.

"Hawkes, there's nothing you can do for her now. Go and do as I say and you can see her when the Doctors say it's okay" Cooper nodded weakly and with Nathan's arm around his shoulder they made their way back to their quarters.

Ross looked at his old friend Ty, he worried all the time for his kids and he knew he needed the rest too.

"Ty come to my quarters I've a very good bottle of scotch that needs drinking" McQueen smiled and followed him to his quarters.

They sat in companionable silence both nursing their glasses.

"How did you know about Hawkes and Robertson, Glen?" Ross smiled at him.

"News travels fast around here, especially when they are seen hugging in front of the entire flight crew. Why didn't you tell me Ty?" McQueen looked thoughtful for a moment, as if choosing his words.

"I knew it would only be a matter of time before word got out, I was just hoping to give them a bit more privacy. It's gonna be tough on them now everyone knows, but I'm sure they're strong enough to deal with it" Ross laughed.

"Ty you'd have made a great father, your kids just don't know how lucky they are" McQueen smiled.

"I'm just relieved we got Vansen and Robertson out from Kazbek. I don't know what would have happened if we hadn't gotten there in time"

"Well Ty you did. I wouldn't be surprised if the brass didn't hand out some medals for this" McQueen groaned inwardly, neither he nor his kids would want the fuss. They were Marines and they were just doing their job.

As the 5-8 sat in the mess eating their food everyone looked at Cooper. He was sitting staring into space clutching Amberley's letter in one hand and her necklace in the other.

Vanessa tapped him lightly on the shoulder.

"Hey Coop you haven't eaten a thing c'mon you need to keep your strength up" He looked up at her and at the concerned faces of Nathan and Paul.

"Y'know what? I ain't been this scared before. It felt like I was gonna lose my girl and my sister. I felt real bad when I lost Kate and Pags too but I dunno, this was different somehow" Vanessa smiled.

"That's because you never had time to get to know Kate and Pags, yeah sure you hurt inside when you think about them but with Amberley and Shane you're real close to both of them so it hurts that much more" Cooper nodded in understanding.

None of them felt like going to the Tun and all of them made their way to the infirmary instead. No one openly came out and suggested it, it was just like an unspoken agreement. As they came through the doors they saw McQueen sitting there.

"Looks like I was one step ahead of you" Cooper sat next to him.

"Sir have they said anything yet?" "No, both of them are still in surgery at the moment. We'll just have to sit tight and wait"

After about two hours of waiting a tired looking doctor came through the door. Cooper stood up so fast he sent his chair skidding across the floor.

"Doctor how are they?" He looked at the worry on the young Marine's face and smiled at him.

"The worst injury they received was the gunshot wound, as it wasn't treated for nearly three days it needed a lot of surgery. They will be fine but not for a few weeks yet, they received very bad blows to the stomach, sustained broken ribs, internal bleeding and broken jaws, but given time, care and a lot of understanding they'll make it through "

They all breathed a collective sigh of relief.

"Sir can I go and see Captain Robertson, please?" The doctor looked up at Cooper's pleading blue eyes.

"You must be Cooper then?" Cooper looked confused.

"Yeah but how did you know that?" He chuckled to himself.

"While she was in the recovery room she kept calling out your name, does that answer your question?" Cooper blushed.

"Well son she is very heavily sedated so you can have five minutes with her. One other can visit Captain Vansen, but that's all, they really do need rest and no excitement is that clear?" McQueen motioned for Nathan to go and see Shane.

Cooper quietly pulled back the curtains that surrounded Amberley's bed. His heart missed a beat. She was hooked up to various monitors and had drips in both arms, she looked so frail.

But at the same time she still looked beautiful to him, even with the bruises. All he wanted to do was crush her in his arms but at the same time he was scared to touch her. He sat quietly down in the chair next to her bed and gently stroked her forehead. Her eyelids fluttered and opened to focus on Cooper's lovely face, she managed a weak smile.

"Hi babe, I hope I look better than I feel" Cooper held her hand.

"Hey you look great" Amberley frowned at him.

"Cooper, I love you so much but I don't think I look that good" Her eyes closed again, and with some effort she opened them.

"Thanks for the rescue, I told you that you are my hero. I knew you'd come" He leaned towards her face.

"No one could have stopped me, not even the old man. I read your letter, I still can't believe how you feel about me" She smiled and raised her hand to his face and gently stroked his chin.

"Well you'd better believe it. I'll never feel like this about anyone else. It was the thought of you that kept me going"

Cooper kissed her lightly on the lips.

"I love you too Amberley. I just wanna thank you for lovin' me" She looked deep into his eyes.

"Hey Cooper you don't have to thank me. Just be happy with me that's all I ask. Now I'm real tired so kiss me and go and get some rest, and that's an order" Cooper kissed her lips and her forehead and watched her drift off into sleep. He slowly left her bedside and made his way quietly out of the ward.

Amberley was running, running so fast that her breath came in short painful bursts. She had to get away, had to keep running. The electronic beeps were getting closer now, her footsteps were faltering and then she fell. As she tried to get up she felt a gun at her head, she could hear herself calling out begging them not to shoot her. All she heard was a taunting laugh and then a gunshot rang out.

She sat up in her bed in the infirmary, the sheets and her body were soaked in her sweat. God it was only a dream, but it had seemed so real, she thought she could even hear the gunshot still ringing in her ears. She laid back down aware of her whole body aching, her hair was plastered against her head with her sweat. Her breathing slowed and then she was aware of a burning pain in her stomach, she just wanted it to go away but it wouldn't. It began to burn with an intensity, she felt that her stomach would burst into flame it was so bad. She managed to cry out and press the buzzer next to her bed, then she slumped back onto the bed and a world of darkness closed in around her.

Cooper woke early, he'd already decided that he would visit Amberley as soon as he was awake. They didn't have a mission brief for another five hours, so this way he'd be able to spend some time with her. He quietly got dressed and slipped out of the room heading towards the infirmary. As he made his way down the ward to Amberley's bed he stopped dead in his tracks. Her bed was empty, where the hell was she? He started to panic. He went to Shane's bed maybe Shane would know, but Shane was asleep. He thought about waking her but she looked real deep, probably the drugs and painkillers. His heart started to beat faster and felt like it was trying to escape from his chest. He ran from the ward in search of someone who could tell him what had happened.

Outside he saw the doctor who had been kind to him the day before. "Hey doctor, where's Captain Robertson?" The doctor looked around wearily, he'd just spent three hours in surgery and now wanted to get some sleep. He looked at Cooper and remembered him from the day before as being Robertson's boyfriend. He walked slowly over to Cooper. "Is she okay, she's not..." The doctor shook his head. "No son she isn't dead, but she has had a setback. Come and sit down and I'll explain" The doctor had never had much to do with InVitros, only in surgery. He knew he'd have to explain this very carefully, without giving too much away. The captain would have to explain that part.

"She's had secondary internal bleeding in her stomach and we had to operate on her about three hours ago to stop the bleeding" Cooper started to talk. "No Cooper let me finish. She isn't going to die and I assure you she will make a full recovery. It's just that she took one hell of a blow to her stomach and it just needed a little more repairing that's all. She will be fine, do you understand?" Cooper nodded again. "Can I see her now please?" The doctor thought about the state he'd left her in. He'd just explained to her that the severe blow to her stomach had caused damage to her womb and that the probability of her ever being able to carry a baby full term were very slim. She had been absolutely distraught. She'd explained that Cooper was an InVitro and that all InVitros dreamed of having a family. She'd asked him how the hell she'd tell him. He'd been unable to answer her, just saying that if he loved her that much he'd accept it. When he'd last seen her she was sobbing in deep despair, he'd given her something to help her sleep. The last thing she'd said was that she didn't want to see Cooper. Hopefully if she kept him away from her long enough she would think of some way of telling him.

Amberley lay on her own in the recovery room. How she hated herself, it would have been better if the AIs had taken her to the Chigs' home planet and killed her. Who the hell would want to be with her now? Her face was smashed to bits, sure it would heal eventually, but her worst nightmare had come true. She would probably never have kids. How could any man want to spend his life with her knowing she was a failure? How could Cooper still love her? Most InVitros wanted families, she couldn't even offer him that anymore, she was useless. Maybe she'd transfer and start again where nobody would know her. She'd just get on with her job and never ever get involved with anyone again. Perhaps she'd go on suicide missions, that way she could die and no one would mourn her. She felt so depressed and loathed herself so much, she couldn't cry anymore all she felt for herself now was hatred.

Amberley decided in that moment that she wouldn't see Cooper again. It would be best if he forgot her, sure he'd be sad for a while but he'd get over it. Eventually he'd find someone who was worthy of his love, that definitely wasn't her. A voice warned her deep inside that she was on a course for self-destruction, she mocked the voice and in that moment her mind was made up. She was going to ask to be transferred back to black ops missions.

Cooper had a feeling something was going badly wrong. It had been two days since Amberley's last operation and she still hadn't seen him. The doctor had said she wasn't allowed visitors. Cooper didn't really believe that. Shane was still real weak and in pain but everyone had been to see her. He'd cross examined the doctor but he'd been evasive saying Amberley needed her rest. To hell with that, he was going to see her today whether they liked it or not.

Cooper waited until the room where Amberley was situated was left unattended and he crept in. She was sleeping but he was shocked at the state of her. Her face was still pretty bruised but she looked so thin and drawn and she had a haunted look about her. Something was wrong. Just at that point Amberley stirred and her eyes opened. As she focused she saw Cooper looking at her, this she had not expected. "What are you doing in here? I said I didn't want to see anyone, least of all you" He was shocked by the coldness of her words. "Amberley it's Cooper, what's wrong, don't you wanna see me?" She felt a pain in her side, not a physical pain but a pain caused by what she was about to say. But it must be said, it was for the best.

"Yeah I know who you are, so what?" He just stared at her not knowing what to say. "Shut your mouth you stupid tank, you look real dumb" Her words stung him like bullets, he'd not felt pain like this in a long time. "Don't say that Amberley, it's just the drugs. Don't you know who I am. It's Cooper" She looked at him with as much hatred as she could muster.

"Yeah I know who you are. Now listen to me CFB. I don't love you. Never have. So just get lost and leave me alone. I'll be shipping out soon and I never wanna see you again is that clear?" She spat the last words out with such vehemence that Cooper actually flinched. He didn't know what to say and started to take a step nearer. "Don't you dare come anywhere near me. Now go, get lost. Tank!"

Cooper stumbled from the room in complete shock, slamming the door behind him. Amberley lay there and sobbed. She could still see the pain in Cooper's face. Pain that she had deliberately caused. Well it was for the best, wasn't it? Then she started to cry, deep racking sobs making the whole of her body ache with the pain. How she wished she could just die, she hated herself so much. She looked at herself in her hand mirror, she looked so ugly, he was better off without her.

Cooper made his way back to the 'cards quarters. He was in deep shock still. He really thought Amberley loved him. What had he done that was so wrong, the names she'd called him still ringing in his ears. He lay on his bunk staring at the wall not knowing what to do. Nathan sat on the edge of his bunk. "Hey Coop did you get in to see Amberley?" Nathan was surprised to see pain and hurt in his eyes. "Nathan she just told me I was a stupid tank and that she didn't love me or ever wanna see me again" He looked pleadingly at Nathan. "What have I done to make her hate me. I know I ain't always good at sayin' what I mean, but I haven't said anything to make her feel like that" For once Nathan didn't have any answers. He did think it was weird for Amberley not to be on the ward with Shane but then he thought the doctors had planned it that way. Now he was not so sure. "Cooper, it was probably just the drugs man. She'll be okay soon don't worry" Cooper wasn't convinced. "You didn't see the way she looked at me Nathan, it was real weird. Like it wasn't Amberley"

With that he rolled over away from Nathan and stared blankly at the wall again. Nathan decided to go have a word with McQueen. He was concerned at what Cooper had told him. This didn't sound like Amberley. Shane was still weak but she was getting better and laughing and joking with the rest of them and looking forward to getting back on duty too. This worried him. It seemed there was more to Amberley's illness than met the eye. Perhaps McQueen could get some information out of the doctor so that they could all pull together and help her through this. He felt she needed help and needed it fast before she destroyed herself and Cooper along with her.

Nathan knocked at McQueen's door.

"Who's at my hatch?"

"It's Lieutenant West Sir, I need to speak to you urgently about Captain Robertson" McQueen opened the door and looked into the eyes of a very concerned West.

"Come in West"

Nathan entered the Colonel's quarters and sat on the chair he was offered.

"What's so urgent about Captain Robertson?" Nathan carefully chose his words.

"Sir, she's shut herself away in that room. We all know that she's had a tough time along with Captain Vansen and that It'll take a long time to recover mentally and physically. But after the conversation I've had with Hawkes I think there's more to it. See Vansen is letting all of us come and visit her, she's even starting to laugh again, but not Robertson"

This was what McQueen had suspected was going on, but hoped deep inside that it wasn't.

"What has Hawkes told you that makes you think there's more to it?"

"She's told him she never wants to see him again, called him a stupid tank and has basically said she hates him. He's goin' crazy tryin' to figure out what he's done wrong. That doesn't sound like her to me. I don't wanna sound cruel but I think this has really affected her, you know, mentally" McQueen nodded deep in thought.

"Does anyone else know you're here?"

"No sir I didn't want to arouse any suspicions" McQueen nodded his approval again.

"I'd like to keep it that way for the moment, is that clear West?"

"Yes sir" With that Nathan left his quarters and went back to his own, wondering how he was going to keep Cooper from going off the rails.

McQueen made his way silently to the infirmary. It was getting late so he knew his chance of bumping into the rest of the Wildcards was minimal. They had an early mission brief so they should all be in their bunks asleep. He spotted the doctor who was in charge of Amberley's case. "Ah Colonel McQueen I'm glad that you've stopped by I need to talk to you about Captain Robertson" McQueen looked at him with his steely blue eyes, he could always tell what a person was thinking by looking at their eyes. This doctor had real concern in his.

The doctor showed McQueen to his office and closed the door. McQueen explained the conversation he'd had with Nathan, all the while the doctor nodded in understanding.

"Correct me if I'm wrong doctor, but if we can't snap her out of it she's heading for a complete breakdown" "Yes Colonel. I think it started with real terror at what had happened to her at the hands of the AIs but the fact that she'll probably never have children has sent her over the edge" McQueen couldn't hide the surprise and understanding that showed in his eyes. "I never knew about that, now I see why she's pushed Hawkes away" The doctor agreed. "The first thing she said after I had told her was the fact that she didn't want to see him. It's probably something to do with the fact that he's an InVitro like yourself and that he probably wants children" McQueen nodded deep in thought, knowing what it was like to not have the ability to have children.

"If I may speak frankly Colonel" McQueen again nodded in reply.

"Captain Robertson needs to be brought out of herself and back to reality quickly. It may be that you'll have to shock her out of it. The more she's left by herself the worse her depression will become. She needs to cry and talk about it. To be honest she needs to admit to Lieutenant Hawkes what her fears are. He seemed devoted to her. I also took the liberty of looking at his medical records. I see he was treated for green meanie addiction" McQueen grunted and realised what the doctor was trying to tell him.

"Yes Colonel, he could turn to them again with a knock back like Captain Robertson gave him" McQueen stood up and shook the doctor's hand.

"Thank you for being honest with me"

"It's my job Colonel, plus I wouldn't want to see two Marines' careers and lives go down the toilet. I see too much of that in here"

As he left the doctor's office he crept into Amberley's room. He was shocked at what he saw. She was asleep but not a deep peaceful sleep like Shane. Her face was filled with torment and pain and she writhed and moaned in her sleep as if she were a child being chased by some nighttime terror. He realised that he would have to act fast, he decided he'd see her in the morning after the mission brief.

Amberley awoke to an audible clicking and beeping noise. She sat bolt upright. AIs had gotten onboard the Saratoga, they were coming to finish her off, or worse still to take her back to the Chig homeworld for execution. She had to get away fast. There was a small voice of reason at the back of her head telling her this was all wrong, but the voice of doubt was louder, more eloquent. She pulled the drip from her arm and hid under the bed. She couldn't fight anymore, if she stayed quiet they might never find her. The door to her room opened, she was sure the noise was getting louder. They knew where she was hiding! Quickly she grabbed the bottle of water next to her bed, threw the water on the floor and slid out the bottom of the bed clutching the bottle like a K-bar.

The voice of reason told her it was Colonel McQueen and that he was there to help her, but again the eloquent voice of doubt told her it was an AI made to look like him. She dashed from under the bed and flew at him screaming and brandishing the bottle.

The sight that met McQueen's eyes shocked him to the core, this was worse than he'd expected.

"Amberley it's Colonel McQueen get back to bed before you hurt yourself" She was covered in blood from where she'd pulled the drip out and she looked more like a wild animal than a rational human being. What the hell had the AIs done to her? "

Stay away from me, you've done enough to me already. Don't lie to me you silicate bastard. You're not McQueen. Come a step nearer and I swear I'll kill you. You've taken everything away from me. The man I love hates me because I can't have his kids, my career is finished and soon I'll be dead. But first I'm gonna kill you!"

She screamed out in pain as she ran straight for McQueen. He didn't want to cause her anymore hurt but he had to do something. If she injured him, the Corps would have her medically discharged. He didn't want that either. He easily managed to get the bottle from her hand but she just screamed and screamed at him, sobbing and telling him to go away. All her energy spent she looked up at him and realised it was Colonel McQueen and collapsed to the floor.

"Oh my God what's happening to me, someone's gotta help me!" McQueen knelt down beside her and tried to move her without causing pain which was difficult.

"Medics I need help in here now!" He held Amberley close to him.

"It's okay Amberley, it's okay. I've been there I understand what you're goin' through right now. I promise that I'll see you through it. It's gonna be okay"

Unfortunately at that moment Shane had hobbled through the door, concerned that Amberley was being attacked. Also unbeknown to McQueen the 5-8's mission had been cancelled and they had been on their way to visit Shane. They all stood in the doorway shocked at the sight that met them. McQueen had hold of Amberley who was sobbing uncontrollably on the floor with blood all over her.

"Everyone out now, that's an order. I'll take care of this" Cooper started to move forward.

"I'll deal with it. She'll be okay now leave" They all stumbled through the door as the medics rushed past them to deal with Amberley.

Amberley's doctor gave her a large dose of pain killer and motioned to the medics to put her back on her bed. Amberley clung to McQueen either too frightened or unable to let go.

"It's okay doctor I'll take her" The doctor nodded and carefully McQueen laid her down on the bed.

"Colonel am I gonna lose my job now? I don't want to be anything else but a Marine, what will I do?"

"Amberley you're not going to lose anything. You need help. I know what you're going through, it's happened to me. The Wildcards and I will help you through it. It'll just take time, okay?" Amberley shook her head.

"Sir I told Cooper I hated him. I don't it's just I may not ever have kids. He deserves better than that. I thought it was better to let him go" She started to cry.

"We all say things we don't mean. Don't worry about that now, we'll sort it out. You must get some rest, I'll stop by later" Amberley was starting to feel drowsy, but she suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Colonel promise me you'll come back. Please don't let me get sent home" He smiled softly at her.

"I promise. Now get some rest" He watched her drift off to sleep. She still looked battered, bruised and tormented but her breathing was deep and even.

McQueen looked up at the doctor.

"Hopefully we're on the upward spiral now Colonel. She's admitted the problem. All we can do now is try to help her through this and get her to talk and to confront her demons"

McQueen thanked the doctor and walked out the door. He looked up to be confronted with five pairs of extremely worried eyes.

"Sir what was all that about, what's goin' on with Amberley?"

"Captain Vansen I'll answer all your questions but I want you back in your bed first. You've still got a lot of healing to do" Shane climbed into her bed and the rest crowded around. When McQueen was happy that no one else was listening he tried to explain.

"Captain Robertson seems to have been deeply shocked by her experiences on Xenon. I know you have too Vansen and you are coping well with them. Robertson on the other hand has now got to deal with a legacy that the AIs have left her" He paused for a minute trying to think of the right words to say.

"What I am about to tell you is only known by Amberley, the doctor and myself but in order for you all, especially you Cooper, to understand why she's acting like she is I need to tell you. Don't push her on this, she'll tell you in her own time. After her second operation it was explained to her that she had received a bad injury to her womb due to the repeated kicking she received. She has now been told that she only has about a ten per cent chance of having a baby"

Understanding now dawned on everyone's' faces apart from Cooper.

"But sir I don't understand why she said she hated me. I didn't do it to her, I still dunno why"

McQueen looked at him kindly, this was going to be hard on Cooper but he had to be strong on this.

"Cooper would you like to be a father some day?" Cooper looked at him in puzzlement.

"Yeah sure I would, why?"

Vanessa put her arm around Cooper and McQueen looked at her gratefully.

"Coop what the Colonel is trying to explain is this. Amberley also knows that you wanna be a father. What she was tryin' to do was push you into hating her" He was about to reply but Vanessa stopped him.

"She wanted you to hate her so that you would leave her and find someone else to love....so you would have a better chance of finding someone who could give you a baby"

Cooper looked amazed at her.

"But ''Phousse I don't care about that. Havin' Amberley was more than I ever dreamed of havin'. Sure a baby would have been great too, but I don't care if she can't have them. I love her too much to worry about that" He looked at everyone in desperation.

"How do I make her see that I still love her? Apart from you guys and Amberley I don't give a damn about anything else"

McQueen patted him on the back.

"Cooper we all know that, all you have to do now is convince Amberley" Cooper's face was filled with doubt.

"How do I do that. I'm gonna say all the wrong things, I dunno if I can do this" McQueen looked him straight in the eyes.

"Cooper, no one said it was gonna be easy. You have to find that strength from somewhere. We're all here to help you, but at the end of the day the ball's in your court. You have to convince her that it doesn't matter. The doctor warned me she was heading towards a breakdown, that means she'll be out of the Corps. She's got a real close family, but I don't think that will help her. She's a lifer Cooper, she needs the Corps and most of all she needs you. When she's ready to talk, let her talk, let her tell you about the baby. She must never know we've discussed this. Is that clear to everyone?" They all nodded, with that the Colonel left them alone to talk about what they could do to help Amberley.

Cooper sat down on the edge of Shane's bed in total shock.

"Guys how am I gonna deal with this? If only I hadn't missed out on all this stuff at the InVitro training facility I'd know what to say. I'm gonna mess up with this big time" Shane propped herself up on her pillow.

"Coop you can't think about that now. This is real life. If you love Amberley as much as I think you do you've gotta be strong on this, otherwise we'll all lose her forever. I'm sorry Coop, but you've gotta grow up real fast now. Amberley isn't strong enough to help you right now. However scared you are, only you can put her back on the right road to recovery. If you show weakness now it will be real bad for her" Cooper bent his head feeling the lowest he'd ever felt. Nathan clapped him on the back.

"Hey man, we're all here for you. We'll help you anyway we can, you know that. But as Shane says it's down to you. Your love for her will pull you through. You just have to believe in yourself" Cooper smiled weakly.

He knew they were right so he would have to deal with it. He decided that he would go see her in the morning. But first he had to go and see Mank. He owed him a favour and now was the time to call that favour in.

The following morning Cooper slipped quietly into Amberley's room , his heart missed a beat. He'd never seen anyone look so tormented, even in her sleep she was mumbling and whimpering. If he ever saw an AI again he knew he'd tear it to pieces wire by wire, making it suffer as much as he could. He got a chair and sat by Amberley's bed watching her all the time. He knew she'd wake up eventually but in some ways he just wanted to run out. He was terrified of what she would say when she saw him there and he hadn't got one idea of what he was going to say to her.

She started to grow more animated in her sleep, crying and telling whoever it was to leave her alone.

She let out an almighty yell and then she opened her eyes. It took her a minute to focus on where she was, she was trembling all over and sweating. Amberley heard a movement by her bed and her eyes flew to where the sound was coming from. She gaped in disbelief. It was Cooper.

For a minute neither of them said a word. Cooper reached out to take a piece of her hair away from her eyes. Amberley flinched. She didn't want him to touch her, she knew she looked awful and just wanted to hide under the blanket.

"I'm surprised you've come back after what I said to you" Cooper just stared at her she could see hurt and concern in his blue eyes, she also saw something she thought she'd never see again. Love.

"Cooper don't look at me I'm a wreck. I haven't had a proper wash in days, I look ugly and I'm on the verge of cracking up completely" He took her hand in his, she tried to take it away but he shook his head.

"No Amberley I ain't gonna let go, you ain't goin' through all this pain alone. I don't care what you said to me the other day. God you've been through so much, I know you didn't mean it, I know you still love me whether you admit it or not. I'm gonna help you through it as best as I can, McQueen and the 'cards are there for you too. Don't shut them out" He gently stroked her hand and whispered.

"Don't shut me out. I need you too an' I'm hurtin' real bad. I wanna help you through this. Please Amberley, let me help you"

She burst into tears, not tears of fear and despair but real tears of relief. Cooper sat on the bed and held her frail body as gently as he could.

"Oh Cooper I'm so sorry, so sorry. I don't wanna hurt you ever, but I'm scared after what I tell you that you'll never want me again" He knew what was coming but he managed to look surprised.

"What could you ever tell me that would make me leave you. Tell me Amberley, I need to know what's causin' you so much hurt"

She laid back down and reached out for his hand which he let her hold on to. She took on a far away look and after a few minutes silence she spoke softly her voice tinged with fear.

"What happened to Shane and me on Xenon was bad, real bad. No one deserves to be treated like that, but everyone knows the physical side heals quickly and the mental torture takes a little longer to go away" She motioned for some water, and Cooper gently held the glass to her lips.

"I received some bad blows to my stomach which you know had to have another operation to sort out the problem. What's tearing me up inside is what that damage has done to me" She started to cry her face full of anguish, she couldn't look up at him. How was she going to get through this?

Cooper lifted her chin and looked sadly into her red and swollen eyes.

"Tell me Amberley, please let me share it with you. I wanna help you through this, but you have to help me too, okay?" She smiled weakly at him and took a couple of minutes to look into the beautiful face of this young InVitro who'd captured her heart completely. She took a deep breath and continued.

"Cooper do you know what a womb is, what it's used for?" He thought for a moment and shook his head.

"Not really" She nodded her head and continued.

"When a woman becomes pregnant the womb is used to look after the baby for nine months before its born. It's a sort of gestation tank, the baby has water all around it. Do you understand?" He nodded slowly.

"Well, my womb was damaged with the severe kicks I received" Her tears started to fall again and Cooper moved back onto the bed and put his arm protectively about her shoulders.

"The doctor told me that because of this damage that my womb only had a ten per cent chance of looking after a baby for nine months"

Cooper looked a bit confused. God this was so painful for her.

"What I'm trying to explain is that I probably will never be able to have kids" She turned her head away from him and sobbed louder. Cooper didn't say a word he knew she had to let it all out, regardless of the pain it caused her. As her sobs subsided she looked at him again.

"Cooper, I know you'd make a great dad. So if you want to leave me and find someone else I'll understand. I'm so sorry Cooper. I always wanted kids too. Now I've got to face facts that I'll never have them" She sobbed and shuddered uncontrollably.

Cooper had tears in his eyes too, he held her tighter not daring to let her go.

As she stopped Cooper turned to look at her face.

"Amberley I want you to look at me" She hung her head in despair.

"Please Amberley look at me" She looked at his face and saw tears in his eyes. Then waited for him to tell her goodbye.

"Yeah I'd love to have kids. It's all I ever wanted in my whole life. To have a family that loved me an' I could love them back. But that sorta thing ain't for InVitros. Then I had a family in the 'cards, and now I've got you. I don't care if you can't have kids Amberley. I love you. I now have something I never thought I'd have. I have a woman who loves me an' I love her too"

She lent into his side and cried softly against his leg making his trousers wet with her tears.

He gently stroked her hair before he continued. "

I'll never leave you Amberley. Honest, I love you so much. You've made me feel things I never thought I'd have. If it's just the kids you're worried about, well you have a niece and a nephew. I'll be an uncle that's more than I could ever wish for. So please Amberley don't shut me out, I wanna give you all my love and I want yours too. I'll never ever leave you and I'll never let down I promise. Just give me a chance. I've gotta lot to learn so I'm relying on you to help me"

Amberley looked up at his face again. She couldn't believe this. She could see in his eyes how much he loved her. God she knew she'd die for him if it ever came to it.

"Cooper I don't deserve you, but I love you so much. Don't worry I'll never let you leave me"

They sat hugging each other for ages, no words needed to be said. The door to Amberley's room came open and in walked the doctor, relief clearly showing on his face. "Everything okay Captain Robertson" She smiled weakly at him. "Yes doctor, I've got a long way to go but I'll be fine now" He nodded in approval. "Okay son she needs her rest now, I'll give you five mikes and then you must leave" Cooper smiled in thanks. "I'd better go now. I don't wanna go but I'll have the Colonel after me if I don't. You get some rest and don't forget what I said. I'll come and see you as soon as I can okay?" She looked at him full of love. "Okay. Hey Marine, I love you more than anything. Thanks for coming, I'd never have done it without you" She laid back on the bed and drifted off to sleep with a small smile playing on her face. Cooper smiled to himself in relief, knowing that at least she knew how he felt about her. He now knew she was going to come through this eventually.

When she woke again she was aware of someone sitting next to her bed.

"Cooper?"

"No, it's Colonel McQueen" Amberley slowly sat up.

"Sorry sir, I thought you were Cooper" McQueen smiled he knew that he'd been to see her and that at last she was on track again.

"Sorry to disappoint you. They're out on a recon mission right now, due back in about four hours. How are you feeling?" She grimaced as she tried to get herself into a more comfortable position.

"Better than I was. I don't feel so scared anymore, but I still keep having the dreams about AIs. I'll be glad when they go" She looked thoughtfully at McQueen.

"Sir, what was it like after you were tortured by the AIs? I still jump at every weird sound, and I'll be glad to feel no more pain" He looked at her, glad that she was now talking about how she felt. He didn't really like talking about his past, but this time he would make an exception.

"I felt much like you did. Scared, confused, constantly thinking I was under attack from the AIs. You just need to find something or someone to hang on to. To help you find reality again. I'm not saying this happens overnight, you'll have times when you think you'll never be normal again. But you've accepted help and you know we're all there for you. Just remember to reach out if you need to" Amberley smiled.

"Thank you sir. I'll remember that. I still don't feel like seeing everyone just yet, is that normal too?" He looked distant as if remembering his own experiences.

"You'll be like that for a while. It's best if you see one person at a time to start with. Then when you're ready, move back out with Vansen and then you'll be together when they all come and visit"

Amberley dozed off again and McQueen sat and watched her until he was sure his newest kid was sleeping peacefully. He walked to the door and took a look back, although she still looked haunted she was sleeping more peacefully than before. He shut the door and went back to his duties.

Clutching a bag in his hand Cooper quietly made his way to Amberley's room. He'd checked with the doctor first if it would be okay and he'd had no objections. In fact he thought it would be very good for her. Mank had tried to get out of it when he'd asked for his favour back, but having seen Cooper in a rage before he decided to do it for him. Cooper smiled to himself feeling real pleased with what he'd done, he just hoped Amberley was pleased. Amberley was still sleeping when he came in and he quietly put the things next to her pillow, and sat down to wait for her to wake up.

Amberley was dreaming, this time the AIs weren't involved. She dreamed she was eating fruit, it tasted so good, it was ages since she'd last eaten real fruit. She started to wake up, she could smell something but wasn't quite sure what it was, it sure smelled good though.

Amberley opened her eyes, what was that on her bed? Frightened that she was hallucinating again she sat up. Now she knew what the smell was, strawberries, cherries and peaches. She rubbed her eyes just staring at them.

She jumped as she heard a voice, a voice that always made her feel safe and happy. Cooper.

"If you don't like them I can take them back. Are they okay? Amberley, you're not mad at me are you?" She looked up at him and gave him a real big smile. It had been a long time since she'd smiled like that at him.

"Oh Cooper where did you get these. It must have cost plenty. You didn't have to do this" He looked shyly at her.

"Well Mank owed me a real big favour so I called it in" He sat on the bed.

"It's okay, I checked with the doc first and he said it would be good for you" She put them on top of her cabinet so they didn't get squashed, and beckoned for him to sit nearer to her.

"Come here Cooper, I wanna hold you close" He sat on the bed and held her to him, stroking her curly hair.

"I don't know how to thank you Cooper, you're so good to me" He smiled at her.

"Don't worry I'll think of somethin', but for now just eat and enjoy it. I can't stay I gotta go. I've got target practice, I don't need it but if I don't go I'll have the Colnel moanin' at me" He hopped off her bed and kissed her head.

"I'll see ya later babe" With that he flew through the doors and was gone.

Amberley ate a couple of the strawberries, wow they tasted good. She suddenly decided it would be good to have a shower. She buzzed for assistance and one of the nurses came in to help her. After washing her hair and showering she felt as though she had gotten rid of a layer of despair. The doctor came to see her a short while afterwards.

"Amberley you look much better today, how do you feel?" She smiled at the doctor. He could see she was still haunted but the worry was slowly disappearing from her face.

"I feel the best I have so far. I think Cooper and the fruit have something to do with that" He sat on her bed and looked seriously at her.

"How would you feel about moving in with Shane, I think she's getting real lonely in there on her own?" Amberley's heart was in her mouth, she felt scared. Did she want this yet? Was she ready for this?

The doctor looked straight at her.

"Look I know you're slowly getting back to normal but I really think you should move from here now. If you go now you'll have a few hours just the two of you so that by the time the rest of the 5-8 come in you'll be more settled" Amberley knew if she didn't go now she never would, so with her mind made up she nodded to the doctor.

"Okay, let's get it over with" He knew this was a big step for her and was glad she'd arrived at the right decision.

Shane was getting real pissed at sitting on her own all the time. It gave her too much time to think, what she really needed was company before she went out of her mind with boredom. She heard the doors to the ward open, as she looked up she was surprised to see Amberley being helped along by the doctor.

"Hi Shane I thought you might like some company" Shane crawled out of her bed and gave Amberley a big hug which made them both wince.

"Am I glad to see you, welcome back" The doctor waited until both girls were in bed and then he left them alone.

"Hey Shane, Cooper got me a great present, there's loads I wonder if you wanna help me eat it otherwise I'll throw up if I eat it all" Shane was looking intrigued as Amberley produced the bag of fruit. As she tipped it onto the bed Shane couldn't hide the hunger in her eyes.

"It really must be love, where the hell did he get all this from?" Amberley smiled as she thought of Cooper.

"He said he was owed a favour. Come on let's eat. He even checked with the doctor to see if it was okay for me to eat it" They didn't speak anymore, they just sat and enjoyed all the wonderful fruit that laid on Amberley's bed. When they'd finally eaten their fill they lay back in companionable silence.

"Whew I'm stuffed" Shane looked at Amberley and agreed.

"Hey how are you really feeling now? I've had the nightmares but you seem to have had it real bad." Amberley nodded sadly.

"I still see them in my dreams but my other fears seem to have gone slowly. I don't really wanna talk about it right now. I'd like to wait until everyone is here so I can tell you all together. The Colonel and Coop know, but I think one more time to explain is enough" Shane nodded in agreement, fully understanding how she must feel. She still hadn't gotten over the state Amberley was in when she saw her lying on the floor, covered in blood and with McQueen holding her. She had to agree that Amberley looked much better now.

Nothing more needed to be said, they were both too close for useless words. They understood each other too well for that.

"I don't know what you've done to Cooper but, oh I dunno. He seems to have gotten real grown up all of a sudden. Every time he sees you or talks about you too he gets this far away look in his eye and he oozes love" Amberley blushed and looked at Shane.

"I'm so lucky with him Shane, I love him so much. I can't believe how strong he's been for me, I could never have gotten this far without him" Shane chuckled. "

Well it's pretty damn amazing if you think back to when you first joined us. I really thought it was gonna come down to a fight between the two of you, and now look" Amberley chuckled and thought back to all the little, and big, fights they'd had. Then the girls looked at each other and started to giggle and then they laughed. The first real laughter they'd had in a long time.

McQueen walked into the ward. He'd been looking for Amberley and had been pleased that she had moved. The noise that met his ears as he entered the ward was like music to him. Laughter. Both girls were laughing. He walked slowly up to their beds.

"Well if I'd known it was a slumber party I'd have sent Damphousse along" They both stopped and looked at McQueen.

"I'm glad to see you here Robertson"

"Thank you sir, I'm glad I came" Happy in the knowledge that they would be okay now he left them to their private jokes.

Cooper and the rest of the 'cards made their way to the infirmary. At the door to Amberley's room they all stopped. Vanessa touched Cooper's arm.

"Hey Coop, don't forget to send Amberley our love okay?" He smiled.

"Yeah sure. I'm hoping' she'll come out soon and join Shane" Vanessa nodded and Cooper made his way through the door. Her bed was empty, where the hell was she? He stood there thinking of all the things that may have happened to her. Perhaps she'd gone to the shower? Or something worse. He turned and left the room. Nathan turned round to look at him.

"What's the matter Cooper?" Cooper looked worried.

"She's not there, where could she have gone?"

Just then the doctor appeared.

"If you're looking for Captain Robertson she's moved. She ate some of the fruit you gave her and then decided to go have a shower. I persuaded her to join Captain Vansen on the ward. But a word of warning to you all. Don't crowd her or ask her lots of questions. Too much may overwhelm her and set her back. Just be patient with her and let her take the lead, okay?" They all nodded and made their way to the main ward.

Amberley was starting to get apprehensive, she knew that Cooper would visiting soon, and the rest of the 'cards. She wanted to see them but at the same time she knew that it would be difficult. The last time they had seen her she was lying on the ground screaming and crying, how would they react to her now? Shane looked over at her.

"You're worried about seine' everyone again" It wasn't a question but a statement of fact.

"I'm terrified Shane, perhaps I came back in here too soon. Maybe I should go back into my room" Shane knew she had to do something to calm her down. Amberley was becoming agitated and had started to shake.

She got out of her bed and sat on Amberley's, taking her hand and holding it tightly.

"I know this is gonna be hard for you, but you have to face them sooner or later. If you just hide away in your room, it's gonna get worse. Do you wanna be medically discharged?" Amberley shook her head.

"Then you have to face them. Look, they all know how cruel the AIs can be. Maybe you should listen to what happened to Paul, they made him suffer real bad. Vanessa and I had to listen to his screams while we were in another cell. What I'm tryin' to say is that they will understand. They wont expect you to talk about it until you're ready. So come on Amberley be strong, you can do it" Amberley smiled weakly at her.

"Thanks Shane I'll try"

The door to the ward opened and in walked the Wildcards. Amberley felt she wanted to run and hide, her heart was pounding and she felt she couldn't breathe. Shane squeezed her hand tightly and smiled encouragingly. Cooper reached her first and Shane moved off her bed and let him take her place. He sat down and put his arm around her and kissed he gently on her forehead, as if her was protecting her. The others smiled at her and went and got some chairs which they put nearer to Shane's bed. Amberley could see they were all doing their best to make her feel relaxed.

"Hey Amberley it's good to see you in here with Shane, perhaps she won't be so grouchy now she's got company" Amberley smiled at Nathan.

"Yeah well I suppose someone's gotta put up with her moanin' about being stuck in bed and it might as well be me" She grinned at Shane.

"Thanks pal, I'll remember that"

Amberley looked up at Cooper.

"Hey thanks again for my present. It made me feel much better" He smiled down at her.

"No problem, I'm glad it helped" For most of their visit the others kept their conversation to small talk, not wanting to put Amberley in a situation where she was forced to talk about what happened on Xenon.

"Okay I guess it's time we hit the sack, we've got an early one tomorrow" Paul looked pleadingly at Shane.

"Hey Captain hurry up and get better, West is gettin' too much like Bogous. We need rescuing" Everyone grinned and started to leave. Amberley decided she needed to say something.

"Hey guys thanks for not pressing me, I really appreciate that. As soon as I've managed to come to terms with everything I'll let you know" Vanessa walked over and rested her hand on Amberley's shoulder.

"It's no problem, we understand and I mean it okay?" Amberley nodded and smiled, not trusting herself to speak.

"It's just good to see you in here, take it slow and eventually you'll come to terms with it" She looked at Paul and saw immediately that he knew exactly how she felt. Finally Nathan came over and kissed her forehead.

"Catch you later, you can keep Cooper for a few more mikes but then I need him back"

"Thanks Nathan, I owe you one"

Shane had hobbled out of the bed saying she wanted a shower. Amberley knew she'd already had one and was grateful that she was giving her some time alone with Cooper. Amberley moved over on her bed as far as she could so that Cooper could get on it with her. She snuggled up close to him, ignoring the protest her body was making. She needed to feel him close to her. Although meeting the others hadn't been too painful she felt drained. Cooper stroked and kissed her hair making her feel warm and happy. She desperately wanted to kiss him, but her jaw was still painful and she didn't know if she could manage it but she wanted to try.

"Cooper, kiss me" He looked down at her lovely face, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her.

"It'll be my pleasure" He gently pressed his lips to hers and kissed her as lightly as he could. As they broke he looked at Amberley full of concern.

"I didn't hurt you did I?" She pushed his tousled locks away from his face, she loved to do that and looked deep into his eyes.

"No babe you didn't, you can kiss me again if you want to" He kissed her with a little more pressure this time covering her with warm loving kisses, pressing his tongue gently through her lips until he found her tongue. Amberley pushed her way into his mouth enjoying being this close to him. Cooper held her tighter to him and she winced in pain.

They broke and he looked worriedly at her.

"I'm sorry Amberley, are you okay?" She smiled through the pain.

"I'm fine Cooper, I keep forgetting my injuries. Guess it was because I was enjoying your kisses too much" He smiled in relief, he'd hate to think he'd hurt her.

"Hey Lieutenant you'd better get going otherwise West will have you put in the brig" He chuckled softly.

"Yeah you could be right, I'd better go" He kissed her once more and whispered in her ear. "

I love you" She moved her lips to his ear.

"I love you too Cooper. Come visit me again soon okay?" He nodded and reluctantly left the ward.

Amberley was dreaming, dreaming she was walking down a street. She was pushing a pram and there was someone walking beside her. They were talking and smiling happily at each other. Suddenly out of nowhere two people with guns walked out in front of them. AIs. Before she could do anything the man at her side and the baby in the pram were gunned down and killed in cold blood. She was begging them to kill her saying that she had nothing to live for, but they wouldn't, they said it was their gift to her. As they turned to leave Amberley saw that the man they had shot was Cooper. She started screaming. She sat bolt upright in bed and saw she was shaking and sweating and a very concerned Shane was standing by her.

"Amberley it's okay, it was a dream. You're in the infirmary with me it's okay" Amberley held onto Shane sobbing uncontrollably.

"Oh God Shane I dreamed the AIs killed Cooper and our baby" Shane held onto her until the sobbing subsided

"You okay now Amberley?" Amberley started to shake again.

"I'm losing it Shane, why can't I be like you. Why do I have to be so weak?" Shane sat on her bed.

"Hey, there's nothing wrong with you. I have those dreams too. It's okay, it's normal"

The Wildcards walked onto the ward and Cooper's face fell through the floor as he saw Shane holding a sobbing Amberley. The looks on the rest of their faces showed concern. As they made their way to the girls' beds Amberley looked up.

"Sorry, I've been dreaming again. I think I'm ready to talk now. I've gotta get this outta my system or I'll go crazy. Cooper hold me please. I need you near me" He moved to her bed and held her close feeling her whole body tremble, whether through fear or pain or both he wasn't sure.

Everyone waited for her to speak. She took a deep breath and began. "

I know Shane has suffered just as much as I have. No one should ever have to go through what we went through, but the AIs have left me an extra gift. Believe me it's one I never wanted and I don't know if I'll ever get over it. You all probably know that I had secondary internal bleeding which needed another operation. The main reason for me losing it is the fact that the doctor told me I had received damage to my womb.......He told me I only have a ten per cent chance of ever carrying a child. I was scared that Cooper wouldn't want me knowing this fact, so I felt if I shut him out he'd just go away and find someone else. He deserves better than that" Amberley looked up at him to see him smiling down at her, his face full of love.

Cooper took up the story seeing that Amberley was finding it difficult to carry on.

"What she didn't realise was the fact I didn't care she couldn't have kids. It's her I love an' as long as I have her that's all I need" Amberley hugged him to her and looked at the rest of them in turn seeing complete understanding in all of them.

"I finally can see some light at the end of the tunnel. The physical pain is fading, it's just the dreams I have to deal with now. As long as I've got Cooper and the rest of you I'll make it okay"

Once she had finished it felt like a whole weight had been taken from her shoulders. She looked at everyone again and smiled.

"Well I'm glad that's all out in the open now" Paul came and sat on the bed.

"I know all the things you're going through, these emotions will take time to deal with. Don't bottle it up like I did, talk about it. We're all here for you and we know you'll be there for us too"

Paul went on to explain about his experiences in Kazbek and how he'd betrayed everyone when he took Pearly's spare power cell to trade for his confession to the AIs. Shane and Vanessa told her how they were nearly forced to kill one another in order for one of them to survive and Nathan of the fact they had tried to trick him into thinking he'd found Kylen only to find out she wasn't. With everything out in the open it was like a breath of fresh air, with friends like these and a man who loved her she knew she'd survive. What they didn't know was that McQueen had slipped into the ward unseen and had heard the whole thing. He slipped out again as silently as he had come in, safe in the knowledge that things were on the upward turn at last.