Sloan Parker had made it down three,maybe four flights of stairs before light flooded the stairwell. Momentarily blinded Sloan nearly tumbled down a flight of stairs before strong arms grabbed her from behind. Swinging widely Sloan fought her captors as they drug her backwards. But with her eyes still not quite adjusted to the light she was like a bat forced out into a bright summer's day.

"That was a very stupid move,Doctor."The man to her left whispered into her ear as they moved her out of the hallway and into an elevator,"I thought you were one of their brightest."

Sloan continued to struggle as the elevator started its accent,"Do you think I wouldn't have tried to take my life back?"

The man merely shrugged as the other tightened his hold on Sloan's neck,"You are prey,we will dominate. That is the only certainty."

After the paramedics left Ed stood and began to walk out of Atwood's office. His first priority was finding a king size bottle of aspirn. The next and far more important was to continue the search for his best friend.

The bombing of his office only intensified his fear. If they were getting fiercer in their attempts to take out the human race what would they do with one human?

God forbid they would find out about the baby Sloan was carrying.

Ed jumped involuntarily as Tom's hand clamped down on his right shoulder.

"Where are you going?"Tom demanded. Ed glared at him,"To find Sloan."

Tom shook his head,"Not alone you're not."

Tate wearily ran a hand through his hair,"Look,I'm grateful for what you did,but what happened only made me more aware of the kind of danger Sloan's in. That bomb was a warning,the clock on Sloan's life is rapidly running out and I'm not just going to stand by an watch it happen."

"Don't you think I'd be out there scouring every building in the greater Los Angeles area if I thought it'd bring her home? She's on their terf so we have to play on their terms. We will get her back,I promise you that, but we have to work together."

Ed extended his right hand a grim smile on his face,"For Sloan."

Tom shook his hand,"For Sloan."He repeated softly.