"He’ll be under twenty-four hour guard until he’s well enough to be transferred and then we’ll take him to Leavenworth."

Harm sighed heavily but nodded at the MP. "I know the procedure. Thank you, Lieutenant. I am representing Commander McKaye so I trust that you’ll follow your rules?"

"Yes, sir, Commander Rabb."

"I’m going to go in and see him for a minute."

John was propped up slightly, staring listlessly out the window at the early morning sun. He didn’t even turn his head when Harm walked in.

"Don’t even say it. They’ll move me to the brig as soon as I’m well enough," he muttered.

"That’s right," Harm answered calmly. "But I’ve requested a hold on any further proceedings due to a pending investigation. You’ll have to spend some time in the big house until we can find Britain."

The mention of her name finally brought his head around. "Find her, Harm. Find her and bring her back."

Harm reached out and clasped the older man’s hand. "I will, John. I promise." He stated grimly.

Mac was waiting for Harm in the hall when he came out. Without a word she opened her arms and he walked into them, wrapping her up tight against him.

"Damn him," he muttered against her hair.

Mac stroked her hands up and down his back and burrowed her face into his chest. "He made the decision all on his own, Harm."

"I know and that’s what makes me the angriest. He has twenty years in for this country and to just throw it all away. But the thing is, in his shoes I would have done the very same thing." Harm pulled back slightly and cupped her beautiful face in his hands. "If you had disappeared and there was no one else I could come to I would have went AWOL and turned over every last piece of dirt until I found you."

She only smiled tenderly at him. "I would always do the same for you, Commander," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "When I think of how close we’ve come to losing what we have, it scares me all over again," she added.

Harm simply hugged her again since there was no answer for that. "Come one, let’s go. We have to find Britain. There won’t be any further proceedings against John until we wrap up this investigation," he explained, guiding her down the hall.

When they got back to the hotel there were messages waiting from Admiral Chegwidden, King and Clayton Webb. Harm called the Admiral first and relayed the latest with John and then called Webb.

"I have some people I want you to meet I think can help find Commander McShane," Webb stated immediately.

"Who?" Harm asked.

"A pair of FBI agents I know. Kidnapping does normally fall under their jurisdiction but this particular pair has some qualities I think will help you. Can you and Mac meet us this afternoon? They’re flying in from D.C. now," he continued.

"Fine. What time?"

"1800 at the same place as before. I’ll call you later with a location."

"Fine, Webb. If we’re not here call my cell number," Harm answered.

"I will."

Then next call was to King.

"Mom said John was shot. Is he all right?" King asked right away.

"He’ll be fine but they’re taking him to Leavenworth as soon as he’s able to travel," Harm answered flatly.

"Hell," King stated succinctly.

"My thoughts exactly. I have to find Britain even more now. I promised him we would bring her home," Harm told the other man. "Webb just called and he’s bringing someone else to meet us this afternoon. Someone he says can help, too. Once we meet with them I’ll call Walker and see what he’s got cooking on his end."

"He and Alex left here last night but he said to call him at the hotel when you’re ready," King relayed.

"I will."

Harm was hanging up the phone just as Mac walked in and it rang as soon as he let go of it. He jerked it back up. "Rabb."

"You’ve been interfering in things that are none of your business, Commander."

For a second Harm didn’t answer. "Who is this?" he demanded.

"I believe you’ll find that out soon enough. Back off, Commander Rabb. Commander McShane’s house and Commander McKaye’s unfortunate accident are the only warnings you’re going to get. If you value your life and that of your pretty partner you’ll drop this investigation immediately," The voice continued.

"I’m not…" Harm began but the caller hung up.

"Son of a bitch!" he bit out, all but throwing the phone down.

"What is it?" Mac asked worriedly.

"A warning message to back off the investigation," he told her.

"And?" Mac prompted when his eyes slid away from hers.

"If I valued your life."

"You know I can take care of myself and if I can’t, I have you," she tried to reassure him. "This makes it even more important that we find her, Harm. For all of our sake."

Webb was already at the diner when Mac and Harm arrived and he had another man and woman with him. They were standing next to Webb’s rental and met Harm and Mac’s questioning looks head on.

"How soon before they move Commander McKaye to Leavenworth?" Webb asked first off.

Harm rolled his eyes. "It never ceases to amaze me how fast you weasel information out of people. He’ll be transported as soon as he’s well enough to travel."

"These are the two people I told you about. Commander Rabb, Major MacKenzie, this is Agent Fox Mulder and Agent Dana Scully."

Harm and Mac stepped forward and shook the hands the two agents extended to them.

"Commander, Major," Agent Mulder greeted.

"Agent Mulder, ma’am," Harm returned, releasing Dana Scully’s hand.

"Agent Webb contacted us yesterday for help with a case you’re working on?" Mulder began, stepping a hairbreadth closer to his petite partner.

"It’s an extremely touchy investigation and right now we’ll welcome any help we can get," Harm returned, cautiously studying them.

Agent Mulder had dark hair much like his own and intelligent eyes that seemed to see a lot… and he was tall, about Harm’s own height. He towered over the redhead at his side who couldn’t have been more than five-two or five-three. She had flaming red hair and pale, ivory skin and looked more like she should be gracing the cover of a magazine then pursuing the bowels of humanity. Her pale blue eyes swept Mac and Harm, taking in every detail.

"Webb gave us some of the details, Commander, and Mulder and I…" Scully’s voice trailed a bit. "We have some personal experiences with kidnapping so he believed we could help."

"I have to be going so the four of you can hash this out," Webb interjected smoothly. "You know how to find me if you need anything."

He was gone in a moment and they were left alone.

"Where are you two staying?" Harm asked.

"We haven’t found a hotel yet. Webb brought us straight out here to meet you," Scully answered.

Harm looked at Mac for a moment, a calculating look in his eyes. "I think we should check out of our hotel," he suggested.

She met his eyes. "And go where?"

"Back to the ranch." He looked at Mulder and Scully. "We need to be somewhere all of us can talk freely without fear of the room being bugged or something breaking in. If we go back the ranch Walker and Alex can be there, too, and we’ll all be able to sit down and discuss this."

"But it could be dangerous to involve them in this – even by staying at the ranch," Mac countered.

"You know as well as I do what King would say to that," Harm grinned ruefully.

Mulder and Scully waited patiently for the two JAG officers to make some kind of decision. Their day had been long but they were used to longer ones. Harm glanced back at them just then and smiled.

"You won’t need to go to a hotel. But we’ll need to stop by ours and get our bags. We have some friends here who have helped us once before. They have a ranch that is well protected and it would safe for us all to be there together. We got our first warning call tonight and a direct threat was issued for Mac," Harm explained briefly.

The two agents exchanged a look. "We can go anywhere, Commander. We’ll follow you to the hotel," Mulder stated calmly.

"Okay."

Back at the hotel, Harm unlocked his door and he and Mac slipped inside. Mulder and Scully had stayed down in their car, agreeing with Harm and Mac that it was better if they tried to avoid being seen together right then. Harm kicked something with his foot and he bent in the darkness to feel around for it. Coming in contact with and envelope, he scooped it up and flipped in the lamp.

"What’s that?" Mac inquired, coming closer.

"I don’t know," he mumbled, ripping open the flap.

Inside was only a single sheet of paper with a note typed on it.

Mac raised her head and looked at him. "What do you think that means?" she asked.

He sighed in disgust. "I have no damn idea. This whole case has been nothing but a jumble of lies and misleads. How do we know this isn’t a trick?" he asked her.

"I guess we don’t. The same way we don’t know it may help us," she pointed out.

"True," he tilted his head slightly to the side. "Let’s get back downstairs and out to the ranch and then we’ll talk about it."

It was just after 2200 when they finally got back to McKenzie Acres. The light in the main compound was the one on the front porch but it was enough for them to park and head up to the front door.

"Harm! Mac! What brings you back out here?" King asked when he opened the big front door.

"We need a place to safe place to stay and we thought you might be able to put us up," Harm answered.

"You know better than to ask that. Get on in here," he ordered, stepping back to let them pass. He raised his eyes questioningly at Mulder and Scully and Mac hastened to introduce them. "My pleasure," King stated, shaking their hands.

"Thank you for having us, too. We know we’re unexpected," Scully stated politely.

"Not at all. We have plenty of room," King flashed them a warm smile, the white of his teeth startling against his darkly tanned skin.

"We don’t want to intrude," Mulder stated.

"Not in this house. You’re welcome as long as you need to be here."

Storm chose that moment to walk in and King slipped his arm around her shoulders.

"Mac! Harm!" I thought I heard your voices. What brings you back so soon?" she asked, eyeing Mulder and Scully.

"We need a safe place to stay. Storm, this is Agent Fox Mulder and Agent Dana Scully. They’re with the FBI. This is King’s wife, Storm," Mac introduced.

"Pleased to meet you," Storm smiled warmly, shaking their hands. "Why don’t I show you to your rooms?" she suggested.

1200 ZULU

MCKENZIE ACRES – THE NEXT DAY

VICTORIA COUNTY, TEXAS

Walker and Alex got back to the ranch the next morning right after Jenny and Travis drove down from their own home on the other side of the ranch. The eight of them held court in the formal dining room at the long mahogany table

"How far is the San Antonio Amtrak station from here?" Harm asked, looking at King.

"About an hour. I can fly y’all up in the chopper otherwise it would take you at least two hours. You’ll have to get tickets and get checked in," King answered.

"Do you really think it’s a good idea to get on this train? You have no idea what you’re going to be up against," Scully questioned.

"We have to try. We have no other leads and this case is getting worse all the time. I have a man in the hospital with a bullet wound and a woman gone from the face of the earth but somehow still responsible for the theft of high-powered government weapons. It’s all we have," Harm stated evenly.

Mulder and Scully exchanged a glance that spoke volumes. "We weren’t doubting your motives, Commander, just reassuring your choice. Scully and I have had out share of wild goose chases and cases with no leads. It’s what we spend much of our time on. Agent Webb suggested that I might be able to help you with a profile but it doesn’t sound like you have anyone for me to profile," Mulder continued.

Harm sighed. "No one. We told you last night all there is to the investigation. I have to find Britain McShane. She’s the key to this whole mess. I refuse to believe she had anything to do with the weapons theft. She isn’t the type from all I heard from John and he wouldn’t be involved with her in the first place if there was a hint that she was dirty," Harm explained further.

"Then I suggest we get our gear together and get to the train station. We have no other option but see what kind of lead may turn up there," Walker interjected.

"Just remember that it may be another dead end," Alex cautioned.

"It might be but we have to try," Harm answered.

"I think you girls should stay here," Walker spoke up again.

"I’m not letting Harm go without me," Mac immediately retorted.

"I agree with Walker, Mac. I would feel a hell of a lot better with all of you back here safe and sound. Besides, if anything happens, we’ll need you to straighten things out," Harm offered gently, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

"It could be dangerous – what you’re going into," Scully warned gently, catching Mulder’s eyes.

"It could be but I agree with Harm. I think we should go and the four of you should stay here," Mulder finished. "I would be able to concentrate better, Scully, without wondering if you were all right or if you’d be the next one to disappear," he added, obviously not afraid to admit how he felt about the tiny little slip of a woman who was his partner.

"Me, too," Harm echoed. "I want you out of the line of fire. After what happened a few months ago, I can’t take another scare like that," he murmured, squeezing her hand tighter.

The four women exchanged looks then turned back to the men. It slightly offended their womanhood to be relegated to the back burner but for different reasons, each one understood the need for it.

"All right." Mac was the first to acquiesce. "But I want you to maintain contact as often as possible and you call immediately if there’s any trouble," she ordered staring pointedly at Harm.

"We will – I promise," Harm stated.

Later, the four men boarded the crowded Amtrak train in San Antonio. There were traveling aboard a Superliner, complete with coach through first class accommodations. There were dining cars, sleeping rooms – even a second level to the train. They worked their way through the crowd to their seats and then there was no more talk as they waited for departure. When you had no idea what you were looking for, everyone was a suspect. They were seated on the side opposite of the platform so they couldn’t watch the people boarding but the could look at the faces as they searched for their seats. But like an airplane, there was a lot of commotion as people stowed their carryon luggage and struggled to get settled. Ones already seated got up to let those in the window seat in, tall men like Harm and Mulder squirmed to find a comfortable position for their long legs. Still other like Travis and Walker were forced to hold their hats to keep them from being crushed under someone’s bag.

"This is why I drive whenever I can," Travis muttered. "It’s like a zoo in here."

"If they make these seats any smaller I’ll need to buy two of them just to sit down," Harm added dryly and the others chuckled.

A few minutes later all the passengers were finally seated and the train pulled slowly away from the station. They had a full load, making Harm wonder what on earth they were supposed to be looking for.

"Any ideas?" Walker asked, almost reading his mind.

Harm shook his head. "None. You all read the note. It said we might find the lead we were looking for."

"Might being the operative word there," Travis stated flatly.

"Are we gonna stay on this runaway tin can until it reaches it’s final destination in Chicago?" Mulder inquired.

Harm shrugged slightly and rolled his eyes. "I don’t know what we should do anymore. I’m open to suggestions."

"Well, if you three will excuse me, please, I’m going to go find the bathroom," Mulder stated as he rose from his seat.

A few minutes later he’d taken care of his business and was wandering back through the train. On the other side of the passenger cars were the sleeping cars and then what appeared to be the baggage hold.

{I wonder if this leads back to a caboose, he thought}

There was a door at the end so he headed toward it. Just a couple of feet away there were two men arguing. Mulder hesitated, his ears straining to catch what was being said.

"…knows where… found out… double cross."

He couldn’t hear very well so he eased forward a bit, flattening himself off to one side. He couldn’t see the two men so he hoped they couldn’t see him either. Almost holding his breath, he listened to them.

"What do you mean they know where we are?"

"Just what I said, damn it! They know we’re on this train and they know we have the guns."

"How the hell did they find that out?! Damn, I can’t believe this is happening. I thought we covered out tracks well enough that they wouldn’t find us! Now what are we going to do? We don’t exactly a lot of options on a steam train the middle of nowhere."

"We can start by staying calm and using our heads. What can they do to us while we’re on a train full of people? Nothing. We’ll just have to stay one step ahead of them. We can start by getting off the train somewhere before we’d planned to."

"We should have just sold them the stupid things like we were supposed to. I can’t believe this is happening."

"It’s called greed, pal. Who said we sure could use the extra 4 million our new buyer is offering?"

"We should drop it then and give the shipment to this one before he has our heads on a silver platter."

"I think it’s too late for that now."

Mulder heard a noise and then a click and he realized they were coming inside. Hurriedly, he looked around for a place to hide. He eased her way backward between two luggage bins and managed to squash most of his tall frame down in the shadows. It was enough so that they two men went past him without ever even looking in his direction.

{They’re Navy, he thought, shocked as he recognized their uniforms. And what kind of guns could they be talking about?}

Mulder stayed where he was for several long minutes hoping it would give them enough to get completely away from him and his hiding place. Then he slipped out and headed back for Harm, Walker and Travis.

"There you are. We were starting to wonder if we needed to send a search party," Harm teased as he slipped past him.

"Sorry," Mulder muttered as he dropped into his seat.

Something in his tone must have alerted Harm because his smile faded and he leaned forward in his seat. "What is it?"

Mulder looked at him for a moment and then at Walker and Travis. "Gather in, men," he ordered sarcastically, his voice low.

"What happened?" Walker questioned.

"I went back through the train to kind of look around and see what was back there and I overhead part of a conversation. There were two men outside the door at the back. They were talking about a reselling a shipment of guns someone’s already paid for. And this someone has tracked them down here."

"A shipment of guns? What kind of guns?" Harm demanded.

"I don’t know. They never said. But when they came in and went by where I was hiding, I saw their clothes. Harm, they’re Navy officers," Mulder announced heavily.

"Navy? And they’re doublecrossing someone over a gun shipment?" Harm echoed.

"You think they stole them?" Walker put in.

The gray-eyed Agent shrugged. "I don’t know. They never said but that’s what it sounds likes. Besides, how else would they have a shipment of military weapons unless they worked with them or stole them? At any rate, they’re worried about what’s going to happen now that whoever already paid for the guns knows where they are."

"I’m worried about that, too. There are a lot of people onboard here," Harm stated flatly.

"Why don’t we start out by seeing if we can track down these two? You said they were in uniform?" Walker asked Mulder.

He nodded. "Looked like standard work issue."

"We can arrest them at least long enough to get them to the next stop. Why don’t we spread out and try to locate them?" Walker suggested, looking at the other three men for support or a new suggestion.

Harm nodded his agreement. "I think it’s a good idea. We’ll take different parts of the train and look. It can’t be too hard to spot the two uniforms and there can’t be too many other passengers onboard in uniform," he pointed out.

"Okay. Let’s do it," Travis muttered, releasing his seatbelt.

They left the room and headed out into the passenger car before separating and heading for other sections of the train. Not twenty minutes had passed when all hell broke loose. A thunderous explosion ripped through the train and suddenly everyone was being tumbled about like rag dolls. The horrible sound of screaming filled the air along with the crunch and grinding of metal. The smell of smoke was acrid and flames were burning in several places.

Harm lay still for several minutes trying to catch his breath. {What the hell happened, he wondered.} He raised a hand to his forehead and felt the warmth of blood. Carefully, he sat up, waiting for the world to stop spinning. He looked around him in horror. He was wedged between two torn seats, one pinned against his leg. The train car was on its side and the sky was showing a brilliant blue where the car wall should have been. Gingerly, Harm used his free leg to push the seat away and he stood, holding onto the seat for balance. All around he could hear the sounds of people crying, some were asking for help, others we calling out instructions.

"Oh, God," he muttered aloud, looking around at the death and destruction surrounding him on all sides. "I have to find the others."

Having seen death more than once, his stomach still turned as he looked around and saw bodies littering the wreckage. There were many injured ones beginning to move around and others trying to help still more people who were pinned. Mulder had gone toward the dining cars so Harm started to make his way in that direction.

Mulder awakened slowly to find himself facedown half on a seat and half off. Slowly, he pushed himself into a sitting position. The world titled crazily for an instant before righting itself in front of his eyes. The dining car he’d been searching was now on its side, ripped in half and broken apart like a child’s toy. All around him were sounds that would haunt him forever. People were crying, some were calling for help, others were calling for their loved ones or friends.

He lurched to his feet and a stab of pain shoot through his middle, nearly buckling his knees. He leaned heavily against another overturned seat and looked down. The front of his T-shirt was soaked with blood. Carefully, he lifted up the material and winced. His entire side was ripped open from right under arm to the waist of his jeans. Oh, well, he couldn’t worry about it now. He needed to find the other three men – to make sure they were alive.

"Sir? Sir, can you hear me? Are you all right?"

Travis heard a man’s voice and felt a hand touch his arm. He opened his eyes slowly and saw one of the train stewards. Then he looked around. The sleeping car was broke open in several pieces, the bunks all broken down and the walls split open. He was partially buried beneath one of the beds, unable to move.

"Let me help you," the steward said. "Do you think you can pull yourself free when I lift the edge up?" he asked.

"I think so," Travis muttered.

The young man counted to three and lifted. Travis pushed, too, and scrambled backward, biting back a curse as the weight pulled away from his legs. They were both cut and bleeding through his jeans but didn’t seem to be broken. The steward offered him a hand up and he paused for a moment to gain his balance.

"You okay?" he asked.

"I’m fine. Thanks," Travis returned.

The steward moved away and Travis looked around for a moment, taking several deep breaths. "I have to find the others," he murmured and started to pick his way through the maze of broken, twisted metal. "Please, let them be all right."

Walker felt the heat from the fires all around him. He had to get the hell out of there. He’d been close to the engine when the explosion ripped through the train, throwing him backward. He was pinned against one of the compartment walls by a seat. Carefully, Walker pushed himself backward until he felt it move far enough for him to get out.

He wondered briefly about the conductors but the fire was burning too much for him to get in that direction. He had to get out the car as it was and get to some fresh air. The thick smoke and acrid smell were already making his head spin. Walker pulled the tail of his shirt up to cover his nose and mouth and started to feel his way through the seats. He had to find the other men. They could be hurt somewhere in the wreckage or dying or… {No, he chastised himself sternly. Don’t think like that.}

BACK AT MCKENZIE ACRES

"We interrupt your local programming for this special bulletin. Good evening, I’m Michael Ryan. Reports are beginning to come to us now about

the crash of an Amtrak train approximately an hour ago. The crash occurred thirty miles Northeast of Temple, Texas. The extent of the damage and casualties is not known at this time – only that the train was carrying a full passenger load. We will continue to update you as more detailed information comes in."

Ellie stood in front of the small TV on the kitchen counter for a moment, stunned. The newscaster’s words kept echoing through her mind. Springing to life, she whirled and raced out of the kitchen toward King’s office. Mac, Alex, Jenny and Scully jumped in surprise when Ellie lunged through the open doorway.

"There’s been an Amtrak crash 60 miles North of here," she gasped.

"What?" The pencil Mac was holding snapped in her hand.

"Oh my God," Jenny breathed. "Travis!"

Instantly they were on their feet. Elli followed, yelling, "Go get King! He’ll know what to do!"

They found the big man in the barn office looking at herd records.

"What’s wrong?" he asked as they barged in.

"There’s been a train wreck!" Mac blurted out.

"A train wreck? Where?" he demanded, jumping up.

"North of Temple," Ellie put in. "The news reports are just starting to come in now. They said the train was completely derailed."

"We have to get out there," Scully stated flatly.

"Do we even know yet where the train was from?" King asked, looking at each of them.

"The news report didn’t say," Ellie answered.

"Settle down for just a minute and let me make a call." He picked up the phone and punched in a number, waiting for a second. "Dylan, it’s King. "

"King! Let me guess, you heard about the Amtrak wreck," Sheriff Dylan McKaye asked.

"Just a few minutes ago. Travis, Walker and some friends of ours left out of San Antonio this morning on an Amtrak. Can you get me the specifics on it?" King asked.

"I can do one better. I just got a call asking for every search and rescue, police, fire, paramedics and volunteer crews in the area. I’m getting my things together now to head out," Dylan told him.

"We’re on our way then. Are they setting up camp directly at the site?"

"Yes. They have local crews on the scene. Just fly in that direction – you can’t miss it."

King up and looked back at the girls, his expression tight. "Get on your heavy jeans and hiking boots, bring a hat and a light jacket for after dark. We’ll leave as soon as you’re ready," he told them.

The girls were gone in a flash at a dead run for the house. King started around the desk and the phone rang again.

"McKenzie."

"I just heard about the wreck, King. Have you gotten any information?" Tyler McKenzie asked from the other end of the line.

"Nothing specific but we’re getting ready to fly out there. I talked to Dylan and they need all the help they can get."

"That’s what the Captain just told us. Christy and I are packing our things," Tyler answered.

"Ty, Travis might be on that train," King stated heavily.

"Travis? What for?"

"He was following a lead on the case Harm and Mac are investigating. But it gets better. Harm and Walker are with him along with an FBI agent that joined the investigation."

"Oh my God," Tyler breathed roughly. "Have you called any of the others?" he questioned.

"I just now found out myself. I’ll call the hotel and leave a message for them. Would you take care of Tucker?" King asked his younger brother.

"I’ll do it now. See you there in a little bit," Tyler promised and hung up.

King made the one call to the hotel in California where the others were staying during their vacation. Then he went through the barn gathering leather gloves, ropes and other equipment for the trip to the crash site. The girls came back with their things and the small group piled in the truck to head out for the helipad.

The flight was a tense and silent one. Even King kept court of his own thoughts instead of trying to reassure the girls. They all had a bad feeling about what lie ahead. Billows of black, heavy smoke filled the air long before they actually saw train. The tracks stretched out like an angry scar along the flat Texas landscape and then the wreck came into view. King heard two of the women gasp and an ominous feeling of dread clenched deep in his gut. The long Amtrak Superliner was totally off the track, lying in broken and battered pieces like the models looked in the old Godzilla movies. Cars were ripped open and even from the air they could see seats and baggage scattered everywhere. And then there were the bodies. Literally dozens of bodies littered the crash area.

"Oh, my, God," Mac breathed, horrified.

All of them had witnessed death up close but never of this magnitude.

King flew several feet on the other side of the base camp and set the chopper down. He put a hand on Mac’s arm before she and the other girls could get out. "I brought radios. Each of you take one and stay in touch. Put them on channel two," he ordered.

The girls took the proffered two-way and hit the ground running to the swarm of police, fire and paramedic crews.

"Whoa! Ladies, I’m sorry but you can’t go any closer!" A uniformed officer stepped in front of them, holding up both hands.

Mac and Scully flipped open their badges to the man.

"We’re here to help. And we believe both our partners and two Texas Rangers are onboard," Scully stated crisply.

"Officer, I’m assistant district attorney Alexandra Cahill from Dallas and this is my associate, assistant district attorney Jennifer McKenzie, also from Dallas. Please let us through," Alex ordered in a calm but stern voice.

"Sorry, ma’am, I just needed that clarification of who you were. And yes, we need all the help we can get," The man answered, turning his attention away from them as King strode up.

"King McKenzie. I’m a volunteer with search and rescue in Victoria County," he stated without preamble.

"I know who you are, Mr. McKenzie. Have you been briefed by anyone?"

"No, sir," King returned.

"Right now we’re working to get all the wounded out of the wreckage. Many of the passengers that are able are helping, too. I’m afraid the dead is being left where they are for the time being. FEMA has helicopters and ambulances transporting the injured out by the degree of seriousness to the nearest hospitals. And that’s about all there is to tell you." The young man sighed. "Just start wherever you want."

"Is there a checkpoint where the passengers are listing their names?" Mac inquired, her eyes scanning the scene ahead. "And do you know the train number?" she asked what was on all their minds. "Honestly, ma’am, I don’t know if they’ve gotten anything up and running yet. They mentioned something to that effect. If they did then you’ll find it up at the head of the cars here," he indicated the stretch several yards ahead. "It was train 19. It left San Antonio at eleven." Mac swallowed hard and looked at the others. The men were here then. "We’ll check up there, thank you," Mac responded.

The seven of them tugged on their gloves, clipped on their radios and started up the stretch of hard ground, silent as they took in the scene. The air was heavy with death. Up close, the mass destruction was devastating.

"Do you have a passenger list started yet?" King questioned when they reached a table and several people holding clipboards.

"A bit of one. It’s slow going. You looking for someone in particular?" One of the women asked.

"Four men."

King rattled off the names and the woman scanned her sheet. Then she checked each of the other lists. She shook her head apologetically.

"I’m sorry, I don’t see any of the listed yet but that doesn’t mean anything. It could be hours or even days before we have all the passengers names, especially if they were killed," she answered sympathetically.

"They’re not dead!" Mac shot back, clenching her hands into tight fists.

The woman looked taken aback. "I’m sorry, it’s just that…"

"Thank you for your help," King interjected, turning to take Mac’s arm.

"Let’s get to looking," he stated.

**************

The heat in the air was unbearable. It was about eighty as far as the temperature went but the fires increased that tenfold. Sweat dripped into Harm’s eyes, making them sting. Impatiently, he lifted the hem of his shirt and swiped at them. He’d been looking for the other men for about thirty minutes now, his progress hampered by other passengers. He couldn’t just walk past someone crying for help.

"Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you! I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t stopped to help me!"

An elderly woman hugged his neck tightly, crying. Harm hugged her back, glad he’d heard her plaintive cries from where she was pinned beneath one of the heavy seats. Fortunately she wasn’t hurt too badly. Bruised for the most part and scraped up a bit. He thought she might have cracked a few ribs but at least she could walk on her own.

"You’ll be fine now. Start walking toward the rescue crews. They should have someone who can treat your injuries," he ordered gently, giving her a small push to get her moving.

"Sir! Sir, can you help me?"

Harm turned toward the voice and saw a steward flagging him down. He picked his way through the rubble to the man’s side. He was talking to someone as Harm bent for a closer look. There was a young woman buried under one of the overhead luggage bins and part of a seat. She was crying hysterically and the young man was doing his best to soother her.

"Ma’am, can you hear me? Try to stop crying and listen to me," Harm talked to her in a low, soothing voice.

"Who are you?" she called shakily.

"Lt. Commander Harmon Rabb, Navy. We’re going to get you out of their, okay? Just try to be calm for a few minutes. Can you tell me how bad you’re hurt?" he asked gently.

"I don’t know. Please, get me out of here," she pleaded.

"We’ll get you out," Harm promised firmly. He turned to the steward. "Can you get a hold of that end over there?" He asked.

The man moved into position and searched for a firm handhold. He nodded a second later.

"On three," Harm ordered. "One, two… three!"

He grunted under the weight of the luggage bin but they managed to lift it enough to roll it to the side. It freed up her legs but kept her upper body pinned. She was facedown. He exchanged a look with the steward.

"Ma’am, when we lift the seat away don’t move, okay? Give me a chance to see how badly you’re hurt first."

"O… okay," she choked.

Repeating the same process, they moved away the busted seat. She kept still like he’d said and Harm got down on his knees to look her over. It didn’t appear that anything was broken but she had two deep cuts that were bleeding profusely on her right leg. Looking around, he spied a carry on bag and snatched it up. Inside, he found a shirt.

"Hold on, he soothed as he ripped the shirt into strips.

He bandaged up the two places as best he could and then very carefully, they rolled her over.

"How do you feel? Dizzy? Numb?" he probed.

"I can feel all my parts if that’s what you mean," she answered, struggling to keep from crying again.

"All the same I think we’ll carry you out, okay?"

"Are we going to die?" she asked faintly.

"You’ve made it this far. I’d say you’re going to be just fine. You be strong, you her me?" he ordered gently. He turned to the steward again.

"We have to find something to put her on that’s long enough to stabilize her."

The two men stood and searched for a moment before the steward called to him.

"Can we use this?" He held up piece of what looked like the wall of the train car.

"Fine with me."

Harm yanked up a piece of carpet that was loose from where the floor had broken up and covered her with it to help prevent shock. Carefully, he held the young woman steady and rolled her toward him while the steward slid the board beneath her supine form. Carefully, they stood with her between them and carried her clear of the wreckage. Two firemen close by came over.

"We’ll take it her to one of the ambulances." One of the promised and the board was transferred from hand to hand.

"Thank you," The steward said, grasping Harm’s hand and shaking it.

"You’re welcome."

Harm continued on his way, occasionally stopping to help other passengers and doing his best to ignore the dead bodies that seemed to be everywhere. He stopped to help a man who was trying to bandage a deep laceration on his arm and heard what sounded like a baby crying. Finishing with the man, Harm moved to the side, listening to pinpoint the sound. He moved a few feet more and stopped at a jumble of seats. There it was again and this time it was unmistakable. He started shoving the seats aside, careful not to cause more injury to whatever lay beneath them. When he got close to the bottom of the haphazard pile, he saw a woman’s legs. Another piece of a seat went flying and a man’s arm came into sight.

A bone deep feeling of dread settled into the pit of Harm’s stomach. A minute later he was staring at their bodies. Bile rose in his throat and he fought to keep it down. They were pushed together and from what he could tell, it looked as if the seats had slid down into the pile, covering them and therefore crushing their bodies beneath the weight. Squatting down, Harm reached out and gently closed the sightless eyes of the woman. The whimpers of the baby were stronger this time and he caught a flash of movement. Carefully, he rolled the man’s body back from the woman’s – and there was the tiny wiggling bundle.

Very gingerly, Harm unfolded the blanket that was wrapped tightly around the infant and stared in wonder at her. At least he thought it was a girl. She smiled when she saw him, grateful to be uncovered. Her tiny arms and legs flailed the air and Harm tentatively reached out a hand to her, touching his finger to the down fuzz covering her round head. Well, he couldn’t leave her here. Sliding his hands beneath her and the blanket, he lifted her free of the carnage and cradled her to his chest. Then he searched the man’s pockets, coming up with a wallet. He would turn it over with the baby so she could be identified.

"Come on, you. Let’s get out of here," he muttered, rising to his feet.

She snuggled trustingly against him and his heart broke. In one fell swoop, this tiny child had become an orphan. Unlike him, who had lost but one parent, she had just lost both.

**************

"Tiner, is the Admiral in?" Bud asked, walking by the young petty officer.

"Yes, sir, but he’s…" Tiner began but Bud ignored him and for the first time since being with JAG, barged right into his CO’s office unannounced.

Admiral Chegwidden was on the phone but he ended the call immediately and rose from his desk, leaning forward with his fists planted on the desktop. "Lt. Roberts, do I need to remind you…"

Bud cut him off. "I’m sorry, sir, but this is an emergency. I just got a call from King McKenzie. There’s been an Amtrak train wreck North of Temple, TX. Commander Rabb was on the train." The younger man stated in a rush.

"Did he give you anymore information?" The Admiral questioned.

"Just that they were at the site of the wreck. Apparently the Commander was onboard with Rangers Walker and McKenzie and an FBI Agent. Mac and the other women are there, too, helping with the search and rescue and looking for the men," Bud explained.

"Lt., arrange immediate transportation for us to the crash site."

"Yes, sir."

**********

For the first time since the announcement from Ellie, Mac felt the tremendous weight of the situation clear to her bones. It was taking all her willpower not to bend over and throw up everything in her. She was desperate to find some trace of Harm. And she knew the other women – women she had grown very close to, would be just as desperate as she was. It was more obvious with Jenny, Alex, Storm and Ellie but Mac knew Agent Scully felt every bit as strong about the recalcitrant man she called ‘partner’.

It was in their eyes every time they were near each other and in her every word when she spoke to or about him. They reminded Mac and the early stages between her and Harm. Before they openly admitted to loving each other. Only it seemed deeper with Scully and Mulder. Almost an invisible force that defied description. The skeleton of the train stretched out for miles and God only knew how many passengers had been onboard. Mac passed body after body and she through the section that appeared to be the heart of the crash. She was no expert, of course, but it looked like the outward force of an explosion. A big one.

"Let me help you with that!" she called, catching sight of an elderly man trying to lift part of a burned seat from a woman she assumed was his wife.

"Thank you, Miss," he muttered gratefully, his old hand shaking.

Mac helped him push the seat out of the way and then carefully checked the older woman for broken bones or injuries. She appeared to be unharmed except for assorted bumps and scrapes.

"Walk in that direction," Mac pointed out. "There are people who will help you," she promised.

She turned after they headed off and scanned the horizon, the brim of her ball cap shielding her eyes from the high afternoon sun. Where could he be? Where could they all be? Someone else called for help and with a sigh, Mac turned to see to them.

************

The last person John ever expected to see at the hospital was Clayton Webb. And the sight of him was not a welcome one.

"What the hell are you doing here? If I never see you again it will be too soon," John snapped the second he laid eyes on the younger man.

Webb sighed and shoved his hands in his pockets. "I hate to break your heart but I’m not here for a social visit," Webb drawled flatly. "How long are you going lord that over my head?" he demanded icily.

John simply turned his head and shot Webb a calculating look.

Webb sighed again. No matter what he could try to say, the other man’s contempt for him never lessened and the sad thing was that Clay deserved every bit of it. "I have some bad news I thought you might want to hear. There was an Amtrak train crash a few hours ago. Commander Rabb was onboard."

John’s only saving grace were his years as a SEAL. The only small show of emotion that Webb noticed was the clenching of the big man’s hands in the sheet. "Is there any news on him?" he asked slowly.

"Nothing yet. Rescue crews are searching the wreckage. Turn your tube on and I’m sure you’ll see coverage on it. Just thought you’d want to know," Webb shot back and walked out the door as fast as he’d appeared.

John immediately clicked the television on and started changing channels. A second later, images of the derailment flashed on the screen.

"We will continue to keep you updated on the happenings at the crash site. Once again, for those of you just now joining us. Amtrak train 19 out of San Antonio has derailed completely approximately thirty miles Northeast of Temple. You are looking at aerial footage from out camera crew of the site. We take you now to Janet Young who is at the scene."

"Thank you, Eric. It’s a sad sight displayed behind us today on what started as a beautiful Texas day. Rescue crews are concentrating their efforts solely on bringing out injured passengers. Police and fire departments, paramedics and search and rescue crews from counties as far away as Victoria have come to join forces. We take you now to a live press conference in progress with the chairman of the NTSB."

"God damn," he muttered savagely. "You better be alive, Hammer."

**********

It took every ounce of his willpower but King had forced himself to stay with the helicopter. There was a chance the rescue crews would need him to fly out some of the injured passengers. He also wanted to be nearby when Admiral Chegwidden arrived. Brett called about an hour ago and King ordered him and the others to stay put. There was nothing they could do here that wasn’t already being done. He stared up at the sky. The wind had picked up, hampering search efforts because of the many fires burning. God help them all. When he left the four men at the train station that very morning, he never dreamed they would end their day like this.

King felt the tender touch of his wife and sighed as she slipped her arms around his lean waist. Her bright red head nestled beneath his chin. King closed his eyes for a brief moment, taking comfort in her strength and support. It was something that had connected them from the very time he laid eyes on her. She possessed a spirit and strength he’d never seen in another woman outside of his mother.

"They’ll be all right," Storm murmured gently, raising her head to meet his green eyes.

"They have to be," he whispered.

"After all we’ve been through…" she wouldn’t finish the sentence. "They’re alive, King. I know it. I feel it in my heart," she stated firmly.

King searched her eyes. "My little brother is in there somewhere. He’s as much a part of me as you are and I would know if…" King clamped his mouth into a tight line.

Storm didn’t answer but instead rose on her tiptoes the last couple inches separating them and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly. King circled her slender waist and drew her up against him, closing his eyes as he buried his face in her silky cloud of hair. He could only guess at what the four searching women felt – but he knew what he felt. He would die for the woman he held so close and she were lost out in that wreck… well, the thought didn’t bear finishing but King knew what it had to be like. He only prayed to God each of the four men – including Travis – would be found alive and well.

The noise of yet another helicopter sounded overhead. The identification on the bottom was that of Houston PD. Tyler and Christy had arrived. At the same time a Lifeline helicopter bearing the name of Goliad Memorial came in from the other direction. King and Storm watched as the two crafts set down one at a time. Seconds later, Ty, Christy and Sheriff Dylan McKaye were joining them.

"You okay?" Tyler asked gently as he stepped forward and hugged his older brother.

King nodded shortly. Christy and Storm exchanged a glance with each other. There was a long and touching story to the history of the seven brothers. One that displayed a bond most families only dreamed of. A deep-seated set of roots that spanned a lifetime. The fact that the others were in California was the only thing keeping them away. The McKenzies were legendary for gathering up when a crisis struck. Where there was one, there was the whole crew.

"Dylan, good to see you," King shook the other man’s hand, a friend from their high school years and now the Sheriff of Goliad County.

"I’m only sorry it’s under these circumstances. Is there any word?" he asked gently.

"Not yet. Alex and Jenny are out searching along with the partners of the other two men. Jenny called in once and she said there was so much chaos that she was stopping every couple steps to help someone," King explained.

"It could be hours yet," Dylan agreed. "We’ve worked enough other crashes to know it takes time. It’s just makes it harder when you have a loved one lost in the shuffle."

************

Jenny would recognize her tall shape of her husband anywhere. Coming toward her in the distance, he seemed almost to appear like magic as he walked from the smoke and dust through the shimmering waves of heat. Absolute relief flooded through her, weakening her knees.

"Travis!" She cried, taking off at a dead run.

His worn, haggard face broke into the most loving smile she'd ever seen and he opened his arms wide as she barreled into him. At five-ten, she was no slouch but Travis lifted her clear of the ground and swung her around in a

tight circle.

"Omigod, omigod, omigod!" she repeated over and over. "I was terrified we wouldn't be able to find you!" She sobbed, crying against his neck.

Travis held his wife as tight as he possibly could - almost afraid she was a dream and would slip away without the slightest provocation. His head dropped down next to hers, his stubbled cheek resting on her temple. Jenny curled her fingers around the curve of his jaw. When his head lifted, she saw the glimmer of tears in the depths of his green eyes. She touched his face tenderly, her eyes going to his. Travis caught her hand and pressed his lips to her palm. For a moment he was unable to speak.

Back before they got married, he'd almost lost her to a mob boss she had prosecuted. The fear had been utterly paralyzing and if she was feeling

anything close to what he'd felt then… well, then they were all the luckier

to be standing here together.

"I love you," he whispered roughly, his gaze memorizing her tear-streaked face.

"I love you, too."

**********

Dozen of yards down the line of tracks and wreckage, Alex worked her way through the endless maze of train pieces, searching everywhere for Walker. She refused to believe that he could be lying somewhere dead. Besides, she could…

"Alex!"

She whirled around at the sound of her name and her hands flew to her mouth when she recognized the familiar figure running straight at her.

"Walker!" she cried and headed for him.

Walker caught her up in his arms, hugging her fiercely as she pressed kisses to his face.

"I kept looking and looking and I had no idea where to start…" she gasped, kissing him again.

"We were all split up when the explosion hit. Have you seen any of the others?" he asked, holding her tight.

"No. We separated to start looking. We came as soon as we heard the news. Oh, God, Walker, I was so scared!" she cried. "Don’t you ever do this to me again!"

Walker just hugged her to his chest, closing his eyes as he felt the familiar lines of her body and breathed in the scent of her perfume. Alex could feel the fierce drum of his heart against her breasts. Long accustomed to him being a man of few words, she had learned early on to listen to what he didn’t say. It used to frustrate her sometimes because he was so taciturn. He didn’t talk much about his feelings one way or another. She knew he loved her, though, there had never been a doubt of that. Alex shifted slightly and cupped her hands around his bearded face, smiling through her tears.

"I was so afraid I’d lost you," she whispered. "I couldn’t bear for that to happen, Walker."

"You can’t get rid of me that easily." His tone was light but the look in his eyes went straight to her heart. "I’m here for good."

***********

Scully doggedly continued her search. She would never give up on looking for him in this massive, jumbled mess that once was their train. Over the years of being his partner, they’d weathered a good number of bad times together. More bad than good it seemed. Not once had she ever given up him nor had he given up on her. Through her abduction, her cancer, his sister’s seemingly reappearance, his father’s death. Through it all, what started as an unwanted partnership had grown into a bond that would last through anything – even death. They trusted no one except each other.

The tendrils of their bond were so strong that oftentimes Scully felt like they were one person. She could tell what he was thinking by the look in his eyes. And Mulder… well, Mulder was just Mulder. He had a lot of little quirks but beneath it lie an intelligent, fertile mind and an often hidden dry sense of humor. And a deep abiding loyalty to only one person – her. Scully had never met anyone like him. And now she would not accept that he was gone.

She climbed over a jumble of seats and got back out to the ground next to the wreck. There was another fire burning just ahead that she would have to skirt. The smoke was thick an acrid, the wind blowing it into her eyes. They watered and she coughed, hurrying her step to get through it. She came out on the other side and stopped for a second to gather her bearings again. Then she looked up and her heart stopped. He was standing less than twenty feet away from her, helping another man move a broken dining table off another man.

The sense that was always present between them kicked in then and he turned, his eyes meeting hers across the distance. She saw his mouth move but nothing came out. In fact, he looked stunned to see her standing there. Slowly, he rose to his full height and took a hesitant step forward. Scully held herself still, almost afraid she was imagining him. Her lips trembled and she bit back the sobs that were welling up. His look was intense and Scully managed to give him a tiny smile before she covered the lower part of her face with trembling hands.

Mulder came to her then. He stopped right in front of her at the last second and simply stared at her. His eyes seemed to take her in as if he’d never seen her before. Scully did the same, her worried gaze taking in every inch of his lean frame, including the blood-soaked T-shirt. Very, very slowly, she reached out both hands and lifted the hem until she could see the long, angry gash. The she lowered it back down.

And before she could form another thought, he had her in his arms, nearly squeezing the breath out of her. Scully held him as tight as she could, wishing she could crawl inside him. Tears slipped unheeded down her cheeks and she felt the tremble of tears that filled him, too. For several long moments they simply stood holding each other. There wasn’t anything that needed to be said at the moment that they weren’t already communicating to each other.

Scully pulled back slightly and Mulder slid one hand into the tangled hair around her head. She clutched one hand in the front of his shirt and filled her senses with him. He wasn’t the least bit ashamed for her to see the tears on his own cheeks since she’d seen him cry more than once before.

"How did you know…" he began.

"Where to find you? I didn’t. But I would have kept looking until I did," she answered simply.

***********

Mac’s frustration was growing with every passing minute. Her feet ached and she itched from the dirt and smoke. The wind was blowing and it stirred up the mess that made up the wreck all the more. She’d walked by passenger after passenger, stopping to help many of them and point them in the direction of the ambulances and helicopters.

But where was Harm? Logically, she knew it could be days before he was found. The wreckage was astronomical. It seemed that nothing of the train had remained intact. Whoever set the charges to blow it off course had done a thorough job. Her Marine mode kicked in long ago and she forced herself not to react to the death and the overwhelming amount of injuries that seemed to be everywhere. It was like being in a war zone. She knew he was here somewhere. And she would find him if she had to turn over every last piece of the train herself. Mac kept walking, moving forward along the route of the track. It was hard to see in some places because of all the smoke and ash and dust. She stopped for a minute to stretch her back, looking around.

A short way ahead of her was another fire. They seemed to be everywhere. She stood for a moment, lost in thought when a figure came from the billowing black cloud, seemingly appearing out of thin air. She stared hard at the man, something supported in his arms. She would have known Harm’s six-four body in a crowd of a million other men. Shock held her immobilized for a split second. Here he was in the flesh, coming right at her. Harm saw her right then and he stumbled slightly. He gave her that funny little half smile of his, only this time it was rimmed with exhausted lines. He kept walking toward her.

When he got right in front of her, Mac saw that he was carrying a baby. He was filthy and there was a cut on his temple that trickled a slow trail of blood down his face where it mingled with sweat. He didn’t look very surprised to see her but she was stunned to the soles of her feet to finally be looking at him.

"I didn’t know where else to look for you," she murmured slowly.

"I knew you would come," he countered.

"As soon as we heard the news. I wouldn’t have given up. I couldn’t," she stated simply.

Then Harm moved and wrapped his free arm around her, drawing her up against his chest. Mac wrapped her arms around his waist and held on for all she was worth. She felt like she should be showing something more of her emotions but everything seemed frozen inside her. She was so damn happy to see him that… well, it seemed to override everything else. She clung to him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck. Harm slid his hand up her back to her hair and gently tugged until she raised her eyes to his.

Then he kissed her.

The second their lips met everything that was out of whack in their world shifted to the right place. Time seemed to stand still and Mac felt something twist inside her. More than once reality had threatened to take her from him. Deep inside she was grateful for every day they had together but now… now was another chance in a long line of second chances.

The military helicopter carrying Admiral Chegwidden, Bud and Harriett set down several feet away from the McKenzie helicopter when A.J. spotted the younger man and his wife from the air. They got out and ran to the couple.

"Admiral Chegwidden! Glad you could make it, sir!" King greeted, shaking A.J.’s hand.

"Is there any word yet?" A.J. asked.

"Not yet," King sighed heavily. "We’re waiting for someone to radio on."

"King, Storm, these are my junior officers, Lt. Bud Roberts and his wife, Lt. (jg) Harriet Sims-Roberts," A.J. introduced.

"Mr. McKenzie, glad to finally meet you," Bud stated.

"Likewise, Lt.," King returned.

"Sir, ma’am, it’s good to see you again," Harriet told them, remembering their brief introduction when the couple visited JAG.

"Harriett."

"Do they have any idea what happened yet?" A.J. questioned gruffly.

"No, sir. As you probably noticed on the way in, it looks like several explosions or one very big one there in the center that derailed the rest of the train. They’ve been bringing out passenger after passenger, which is why I’m here instead of searching. They asked me to be on standby for transport. They’ve been out there for…"

The crackle of the radio clipped to his belt interrupted whatever he was about to say. King snatched it up and pressed the button.

"McKenzie, go ahead, over."

"King! It’s Mac! I found Harm and he’s all right!"

Relief swept over the five of them. "Thank God," King breathed. He pressed the button again. "We’ll fly over and get you. Can you identify a location?" he asked her.

"King? We’re near where the dining cars were – maybe fifty feet from the middle," Harm answered, his voice filling them with further relief.

"Then stay there and hang tight. Oh, and Commander?"

"Yeah?"

"A.J., Bud and Harriett just got here and I think they’ll be glad to see you and Mac," King stated gently.

"I’ll sure as hell be glad to see them, too," Harm came back, his voice crackling over the speaker.

"Harm? Have you or Mac seen any of the others?" King questioned.

At the other end of the wreck, Harm exchanged a look with Mac. "I haven’t seen Travis, King. The four of us were in different sections of the train when it blew up. Mac is standing her shaking her head…"

"King?" A new but beloved voice broke over the connection.

"Travis? Thank God, you’re all right!" King stated fervently.

"I’ve got Jenny here with me, too. Have you heard from Mulder and Walker?" Travis asked.

Just then there was a squawk of noise on the radio Storm had. "King? Storm? Do you copy?"

Storm yanked the two-way off her belt. "Walker? Where are you? Are you okay?" she demanded.

"We’re fine. Alex just found me," Walker returned.

"King is talking to Harm and Travis. They’re find and we’re sending a car for them. Where are you?" Storm questioned.

"Not far from the engine."

"Stay there and we’ll come get you right away," she told him.

"Ten-four."

"Can we join this party, too, or is it private?"

"Scully? Is Mulder with you?" Storm demanded when the other woman’s voice floated over the connection.

"Standing right beside me," Scully came back and they could hear the smile in her tone.

"Where are you?" King asked, leaning toward the speaker.

"Between the dining cars and the passenger seating." It was Mulder who spoke this time and he sounded worn to the bone.

"We’ll be right there," King answered simply. "We can hash out your stories later."

Instead of trying to find someone to go after them, King took the helicopter, flying low so he could spot each couple. They piled into the craft a set at a time until he had them all and they flew back to the base camp where Storm and Ellie waited with the others.

"Oh, Major! Commander!" Harriett cried, throwing her arms around them. "We’re so glad to see you!"

"I’m glad to see you, too, Harriett," Harm murmured as he drew back.

"Where did this precious little thing come from?" Harriett cooed, automatically taking the baby from Harm.

"I found her beneath her parents. They’re both dead," he stated grimly.

"Oh, no…" Harriett murmured.

"You all need medical attention and there is entirely too much confusion here," A.J. broke in. "Let’s get you to the local hospital and then we’ll worry about what happened," he ordered gruffly, ever the boss.

While everyone piled into the two helicopters, King radioed one of the people working the passenger manifests to make sure all their names were added as survivors. King was just firing the engines when they saw one of the police officers at a run toward them, waving his hand. Harm swung open his door as the man drew abreast of the craft.

"Ms. Cahill? Ranger Walker? I think there’s something y’all should see," he panted.

Alex and Walker exchanged a look with Mac and Harm.

"What is it?" Alex asked him.

"Guns – and a lot of them."

"I’ll be damnded," Harm swore. "So they were on the train all along with those men," he stated.

"What men?" Mac questioned, looking at Harm.

"I’ll explain later," Harm promised. "Where are the guns?" he asked.

"Where the baggage compartments were. Not far from here actually. About 30 yards up on the other side of the wreck," he explained.

"Let’s go," Harm ordered to the others, already sliding his long legs from the helicopter.

A.J., Bud, Harriett, Mulder and Scully got out of the transport chopper and Travis, Jenny, Ty, Christy and Ellie from the other were already on their way over, their expressions concerned.

"Commander, something wrong?" A.J. inquired.

"The guns were on the train. This officer came to tell us they found them," Harm answered grimly.

A.J. sighed deeply. "Let’s go take a look. On the way you can tell me what the hell happened here, Commander Rabb."

"Aye, aye, sir. Officer…" Harm peered at the man’s nametag. "Officer Ryan, I found this infant under her parents. Both were dead. Here is the wallet the man had on him so you can identify the child. Would you see that she gets the proper care?" Harm asked softly, reluctant to turn the baby girl over to anyone.

"Yes, sir. I’ll have her out in the next ambulance," The young man promised firmly.

The small, bedraggled group started to pick their way across the wreckage to the other side rather than walking all the way down and around. Up in the distance they could see at least a dozen police officers gathered.

"Now, Commander, the story?" Admiral Chegwidden prompted.

"Not long after we left San Antonio, Mulder was back in the baggage area looking around and he overheard two men arguing about a gun shipment. Apparently, they were paid for the weapons and were planning to sell them again to another buyer – keeping both payoffs. One of them was sure the buyer they were double-crossing knew they were on the train. But they – and we did, too – believed nothing would happen while they were onboard with all these other people. Whoever engineered this is playing hardball," Harm explained in short order. "The two men he overheard were Navy. They were in uniform when he saw them. We decided to spread out and find them with the intent to hold them until we could turn them over for transport," he continued. "Right after that the explosion hit."

"I want this bastard caught, Mr. Rabb. Am I to understand that these weapons are the ones Commander McShane is accused of stealing?"

"We believe they are. We’ll know for sure as soon as we see them," Harm returned.

They reached the outside fringe of DPS officers and stopped to identify themselves.

"Ranger Walker, Ranger McKenzie," One of them greeted. "Officer Ryan radioed us to expect you. We’re glad y’all are okay," he added.

"Thanks," Walker stated. "Where are the guns you found?" he asked without preamble.

"This way, sir."

They went about five feet and stopped in their tracks. Hundreds of the silver, scaled down rail guns spilled from the side of the smashed baggage car and into the dirt. For a minute they could only stand there and stare. Admiral Chegwidden was the first to move. Without a word, he stepped forward and picked up one of the weapons. It was fairly lightweight for as high tech as it looked. It was equipped with a power pack of sorts that fed the impulse charge where normally the rounds would have been. It was also outfitted with a high powered scope. A.J. lifted it to his shoulder and sighted down the barrel through the scope. Then he lowered it and turned it over in his hands, checking to see how it was disabled.

"Someone paid a lot for these and took and awfully high risk to steal them right from the testing facility and see Commander McShane up to take the fall," he stated finally.

"But you said Commander McShane was kidnapped," Mulder spoke up.

"She was," Harm confirmed. "There’s no way she could have been in the research lab when the shipment was stolen. We took it for granted that no one knew we were involved and therefore wouldn’t know she had been kidnapped. Now I’m not so sure. I don’t know if this wreck was engineered to silence us all or to silence the two men who were double-crossing the buyers. It would help if you could find those two men but it will take hours before everyone is rounded up and they could be dead," he added.

"What about Commander McKaye? Does he tie into this in any other way besides coming to look for Commander McShane?" Mulder questioned.

"Are you wondering if this could have something to do with him?" Mac spoke up.

"Yeah. Could the kidnappers have taken her to lure him into this?"

Harm crossed his arms over his chest, shifting his weight to one side as he studied the spill of weapons. "We wondered about that, too, except that we can’t tie in the guns to that. John had no idea Britain was gone until her parents sent him the telegram. In all honesty, it’s possible.

John has a past none of us know about – not even me and I served with him on the Nimitz. He’s an ex-SEAL and that’s not something you just give up on," Harm explained. "But he hasn’t given me any indication that this centers on him. He didn’t have any idea why someone would take Britain."

"Then lets say the whole operation centers on the guns instead. If Commander McShane is the head of research and design than she knows the prototype inside and out. The weapons were under her guardianship so the best way to get them is through her," Mulder continued on his line of thought.

"But you’ve had no thoughts of her being involved at all, right?" Scully put in, a frown furrowing her smooth brow.

"Right," Harm answered.

"Then it could be someone who works with her or one of her superiors," Mulder surmised, knowing all too well from experience how far up a ladder conspiracy could climb.

"That’s what we think. More specifically, Admiral Cruise, her direct commander," Harm stated heavily.

"An Admiral? You’re treading on dangerous ground there," Walker drawled slowly.

"If he’s behind all this then we will find out and I promise you he’ll be in Leavenworth," Admiral Chegwidden guaranteed fervently.

Harm dropped his hands and took a step forward to pick up one of the guns. "But first we have to find Britain. I made a promise to John and I intend to keep it."

The end of Tightrope