disclaimer:PG This story runs parallel to Episode 13 and my Episode 14, UNCAGED, but shares none of the characters. Email at blittle40@juno.com.

She was being watched. Kayla had known she was not alone on the farm moments after she left the house at dawn. The animals had been a little more restless than usual, but not as agitated as they usually were when strangers were around. Whoever it was must have come last night, giving the animals time to get used to his presence.

As she had gone about feeding the animals in her care she had surreptitiously looked for signs of a stranger, but had found nothing. Nevertheless, she was certain she was not alone. Working with wild animals had taught her to trust her instincts even when there was no "evidence" to support them. Not wanting to spook the person, she was careful to appear unaware.

Once the animals were fed, Kayla returned to the house for her own breakfast. She wasn't worried by the watcher. A group of vets made their home on a nearly mountain. Sometimes one of them passed through to somewhere else. Usually they were civil, if not friendly, though sometimes they were neither. With no neighbors closer than 15 miles, Kayla felt obligated to provide a meal to anyone who needed it. She asked no questions. A loner by choice, she would not intrude on someone else's privacy without invitation. And if necessary, she knew how to defend herself.

Kayla ate quicky, pondering her visitor. She let the dishes soak and made a thick ham and cheese sandwich which she put on a plate along with carrots sticks, an apple and some chocolate chip cookies. Kayla looked at the three cookies and impulsively added three more. Maybe music soothed the savage beast, she misquoted humorously, but chocolate always works for me.

She walked to the barn with the plate and a thermos of water. As she entered the dim, cool interior Kayla felt the watcher's gaze. She purposefully didn't look around. Setting the dish down on a hay bale well inside the barn she called out, "Better get it before the cats do."

Kayla went to the locked cabinet in the tack room and gathered up the medical supplies she needed. Outside again, she approached the first of a series of enclosures set around the barn. The enclosures were of heavy chain fencing eight feet high. Each door was locked and Kayla possessed the only keys. The first enclosure was different from the others in that it possessed a roof of heavy netting.

Inside the enclosure a bald eagle watched her intently from its perch. Some idiot had shot her, breaking a wing. Fortunately, a nearby rancher had found her and brought her to Kayla. This was how Kayla got most of her guests. Even though she was registered with the Federal Wildlife people, most of the animals brought to her for care were brought by local people who had heard of her work. Right now she was caring for the eagle, and three nearly starved orphan coyote pups. Her wildlife rehabilitation center was, unfortunately, seldom empty.

As Kayla set about treating the animals' injuries, she listened for sounds from the barn. She heard nothing but the sounds of wind and animals. Finished with the eagle, Kayla closed the pen's door behind her and entered the coyotes' enclosure. Kayla paused and glanced at the barn. Had she just heard a baby cry?

She frowned, but turned her attention back to the task at hand. She entered the enclosure, leaving the door open. Kayla made herself comfortable and prepared to enjoy the pups antics as she bottle fed them. The pups were nearly weaned, but using a bottle was the easiest way to get the added nutrients they needed into them. Giving the pups their medicine was the last of the chores Kayla needed to complete that morning. Returning to the barn to replace the supplies, she noted the absence of the plate of food. Carefully she put the medical supplies away and relocked the cabinet. Now that the animals were taken care of, she could turn her attention to her visitor or visitors. Kayla stood in the center of the barn and listened. Beyond the usual rustling of mice in the hay, the barn was quiet. The ground floor of the barn was mostly open. Except for the tack room and two stalls she had passed as she entered, there was nowhere to hide. Which left only one possibility.

Kayla slowly climbed the ladder to the loft. She made no attempt to conceal her approach. She wanted whoever was up there to know she was coming. Kayla didn't want to startle the person, she needed him to know her intentions were not hostile. She reached to loft, stood up and looked around. No one was in sight.

Kayla walked to the front of the loft and opened the doors. Light streamed in illuminating all but the far corners. A gasp, quickly suppressed, led her to the farthest corner. She approached carefully, hands held plainly in sight.

"My name is Kayla. May I help you?" she called softly.

As Kayla drew nearer, she caught her breath. Huddled in the dark corner was a young girl no more than 10. In her lap she cradled three small sleeping babies. With a glance, Kayla saw that the girl was dirty, exhausted, and injured. A bloody bandage covered her upper right arm. The plate Kayla had brought to the barn lay empty by her side.

"Oh, you poor thing!" Kayla exclaimed and started forward. Years of working with unpredictable wild animals had sharpened Kayla's reflexes and sense of self preservation. A movement, a sense of danger behind her had her jumping sideways. She spun to face the threat, crouching, ready to defend herself.

An older woman moved swiftly to stand between Kayla and the children. She scowled at Kayla. "Don't come near them." She ordered sharply.

Kayla backed up further and then straightened, relaxing her defensive stance. She looked from the woman to the girl and back. "I only want to help." She said softly, trying to appear harmless. Like the girl, the woman appeared dirty and tired. Yet Kayla didn't think they were migrants or illegals. The clothes they wore, under the dirt, were of good quality.

"Please come into my house." She continued and pointed to the girl. "She needs food, medical care and rest."

The woman looked at Kayla indecisively. The younger woman was right, Ginny desperately needed to rest. Was it safe? Would it be better to kill her or accept help? How quickly would she be missed? Was she a threat? The woman half closed her eyes as she tried to judge Kayla's sincerity. "Very well." She decided abruptly.

Kayla moved forward to help. The woman reacted swiftly. "No!" she snapped, making a slashing motion with her hand, forcing Kayla to stumble back.

Kayla looked at the woman, surprised. "You'll need help with the babies. The girl can't carry any of them down the ladder, she'll need help herself." she said reasonably.

"You will help Ginny down." The woman ordered. "I will bring the babies." She knelt by the girl, never taking her eyes off Kayla. Kayla stepped back even more, giving her plenty of room. The woman's attitude reminded Kayla strongly of a mother bear with cubs. You never got between a bear and her babies if you wanted to live.

Kayla watched as the woman carefully picked up the babies and placed them in a canvas bag. Kayla realized it was a carrier designed to hold the babies and leave the adult's hands free. The woman placed the strap of the carrier over her head and stepped warily back. The babies hung snuggly against her chest. She moved away from the girl and motioned Kayla forward.

Kayla squatted down to help the girl to her feet. Ginny flinched back at Kayla's touch. Kayla waited patiently. The girl looked to the woman and at her nod, allowed Kayla to touch her. They moved to the ladder and Kayla started down first, positioning her body to overlap Ginny's so that if the girl slipped, Kayla would be able to brace her against the ladder. The woman watched approvingly.

Very slowly they made their way to the ground. The girl was exhausted and weak. The woman watched protectively as they descended, her eyes narrowed in concern. Kayla realized something had to be drastically wrong for the woman to have driven the girl to this state of collapse. What were they running from?

Once Kayla and Ginny were down and away from the ladder, the woman descended with the babies. She stayed well behind as Kayla helped the girl to the house. Once inside, Kayla assisted Ginny into an armchair and headed for the kitchen. She watched covertly as the the woman warily entered the house, looking swiftly around as she did.

Kayla pulled out a mixing bowl and half-filled it with warm, soapy water. She snagged a clean dish cloth and towel from the rack by the sink. Walking carefully, she returned to the living room and placed the bowl and cloths on the coffee table. "So you can wash up before eating." Kayla said to the watchful woman.

"How long have you been without food?" Kayla asked as she returned to the kitchen and opened the fridge. A hostile silence was her only answer. She turned to see the woman had moved to stand beside Ginny, placing the babies back in the young girl's lap. The woman stood regarding Kayla stonily.

"I need to know so I can decide what to feed you. If you've been without solid food for a while your stomachs probably would reject most things." Kayla explained patiently.

The woman nodded, understanding. "We've had nothing today besides what you brought to the barn. Yesterday we had some granola bars I bought and apples we took from an orchard north of here."

Kayla fought to hide her astonishment. The closest orchard north of her was more than 20 miles away, without a direct road. How had they gotten so far since yesterday? Kayla frowned, puzzled and then mentally shrugged. Time for questions later, she decided practically.

"Good, then you should be able to eat whatever I fix." Kayla poured two large glasses of milk. She quickly piled a plate with fresh salad vegetables. She set out a choice of dressing and placed bowls and silverware on the table. "Start with these and I'll make more sandwiches." she urged.

The woman looked at the food hungrily. However, first she carefully washed her own hands in the bowl Kayla had provided. Then she even more carefully used the dish cloth to clean Ginny's face and hands. Then she quickly brought the milk to Ginny and fix her a salad. Only after assuring herself that the girl was eating did the woman drink her own milk and nibble at the vegetables. She continued to watch Kayla intently, following her every move as she made sandwiches.

As her two visitors ate, Kayla leaned against the kitchen counter and pondered what to do next. She had seen the way the woman had watched her every move with suspicion, almost as if she expected Kayla to slip some poison into the food. Kayla also noted how the woman kept herself between Kayla and the children. What had happened to these people to make them so wary?

First things first, though. Kayla saw how awkwardly Ginny moved in the chair, trying not to disturb the babies. What did she have that could be used as a crib? The laundry basket.

Kayla detested doing laundry, so she had several large wicker baskets for her dirty clothes. All three babies would be able to fit comfortably into one. She straightened to go to the bedroom to collect it. The woman immediately stood.

Kayla noticed how balanced on her feet the woman was. Kayla had taken some martial arts training and recognized the stance. The woman was perfectly balanced to attack or defend as needed.

"I'm just going to the bedroom." Kayla told her soothingly. "I have a large basket that should work as a crib for the babies." Kayla walked slowly around the outside of the room, being certain to keep well away from the chair Ginny and the babies were in. As she entered the bedroom she continued to talk, reassuring the woman of her whereabouts and intentions.

"I don't like to do laundry so I have several baskets to hold the clothes when they are dirty." Kayla reentered the living room with a basket and set it down near the woman. "Let me get some clean linens to line it with."

She hurried from the room and came back quickly with bedsheets and a soft woolen blanket which she held out to the woman, staying out of reach of the children. The woman took the items and examined them thoroughly. Keeping her eyes on Kayla she knelt down to arrange them in the basket. She glanced at her handiwork and nodded, satisfied. For the first time she seemed to relax fractionally. Kayla hoped that meant the woman realized that all she wanted to do was help.

By now, Ginny had finished eating everything Kayla had fixed for her. Almost as if on cue, one of the babies woke and began to cry hungrily. The other two swiftly added their voices to the chorus.

"I have some baby bottles I use when I care for orphaned animals." Kayla offered. "They're sterilized and ready to use." She started for the kitchen only to stop when Ginny spoke for the first time.

"That's not necessary." She said quietly.

Kayla watched in disbelief as the child unbuttoned her shirt and lifted one of the babies to her breast. The baby latched on to the nipple and started sucking vigorously. The woman moved to help cradle a second baby at Ginny's other breast, and to sooth the third infant as it waited its turn. The woman's expression softened amazingly as she handled the babies. Kayla watched astonished. Ginny couldn't be the babies' mother, she thought. She's just a little kid. Then, Kayla remembered several recent news broadcasts.

"Oh." she said, suddenly understanding.

"What?" The woman looked up, alert.

"You're Dominants." Kayla replied wonderingly.

Immediately the woman's expression hardened.

"What are you talking about?" she demanded.

Kayla held out her hands placatingly. "You've been in the news a lot lately; multiple babies, very young age for a first pregnancy. I've never heard of a human girl so young having multiple babies so you must be Dominants." The woman stood, regarding Kayla hostily. Kayla frowned. "Are you in danger? Is that why you were hiding in the barn?" she asked in concern.

The woman was nearly exhausted. Her need to protect the children, the strain of being pursued, the uncertainty of safety were all wearing her down. Now here was this human who recognized them for what they were. Instinct told her to eliminate the danger quickly, but her intellect insisted they needed help. All the woman could feel from Kayla was genuine concern. They had to have help if they were to elude their pursuers. There were none of their own kind nearby.

"Please let me help you." Kayla pleaded softly. The woman struggled with her dilemma a moment longer. There was no good choice. Nodding acceptance, the woman sat down heavily on the floor, finally giving in to her own crushing fatigue.

"Four days ago our home was attacked by government agents. The others fought to give Ginny and I time to flee with the babies. I thought we had gotten away, but then I sensed human hunters closing in on us. We've been running and hiding, trying to lose them ever since. But Ginny's exhausted. The babies, the babies are weakening." The woman looked at Kayla angrily. "I don't know what to do!" She snarled. "They can't have the babies!"

Kayla looked at Ginny and the babies. The girl drowsed, almost asleep, smiling tenderly at the babies in her lap. Fed, the babies lay contentedly watching their mother's face. They were so small, so helpless. She watched Ginny softly stroked their hair with her hand.

Kayla recoiled from the thought of the babies being taken by violence from their mother. But she also thought about those recent news reports.

She turned to the girl. "Are you, personally, trying to kill humans?" she asked sharply.

Ginny looked up confused, her thoughts dulled by the ordeal. "No." she answered simply.

Kayla smiled at her. "Then you are welcome to stay here, in the protection of my home."

"And you," Kayla said, turning to the woman. "Are you involved in trying to destroy the human race?"

The woman hesitated, frowning. "We have proof that you humans are dangerous to us." she replied slowly. Kayla nodded.

"I didn't ask if you agreed with the efforts, only if you, personally, were working to that end."

"No." the woman answered firmly.

Kayla looked at her searchingly, trying to judge the truth. "Then you too are welcome in my home."

Ginny was nearly asleep in the chair. The woman took charge of the babies, ripping a clean sheet to make diapers. Kayla helped the girl into bed, lending her a clean nightgown. The babies were snuggly tucked into the makeshift crib which was set on the floor next to the bed. Ginny fell asleep immediately, one hand touching the basket. Kayla and the woman left the bedroom quietly, closing the door behind them.

Kayla walked into the kitchen and put a kettle on the stove to heat. She set out mugs and an assortment of teas. Silently, she stood leaning against the counter, waiting for the water to get hot. The woman stood in the living room, watching.

Water hot, Kayla poured it into two mugs which she set on the table. Sitting down, she busied herself fixing her mug of tea. Blowing on it to cool it, she looked searchingly at the woman.

"My name is Kayla Jones." She offered. "Sit down, please. Rest."

The woman regarded her steadily for a moment. Then she seated herself at the table and selected a teabag. "Frances." She said bruskly. As she sipped her tea, Frances looked out the window at the animal enclosures. "What is this place?" she finally asked, curious in spite of herself.

"I run a wild animal rehabilitation station. People bring me animals that have been hurt in some way. I care for them until they are well enough to be released back into the wild." Kayla explained briefly. Frances nodded and waited patiently as she had been taught.

"I came here to live with my grandparents when I was seven." Kayla continued. "My granda was a veterinarian. He took care of the ranches nearby. But he was always ready to help me whenever I brought in a wild animal that was hurt. I almost always had some wild creature here. So when I went to college I trained in wildlife conservation and medicine. And here I am." Kayla finished with a shrug.

As the afternoon passed, Kayla went about her usual routine aware that Frances was watching her, evaluating her. Despite her own weariness the Dominant carefully examined every room of the house. Without asking permission, and with no apology, she opened doors, checked window casings and even tried to open the locked gun case. She did stopped short of breaking the lock.

"Where's the key?" She demanded of Kayla who had looked on without protest. Kayla understood the woman was concerned with the safety of Ginny and the babies and had been "casing the joint" to try to minimize surprises.

"Won't do you any good." Kayla told her. "There's no ammunition for any of those guns."

Frances looked at her disbelievingly. "What good are they, then?" She asked harshly.

"None." Kayla replied calmly. "They belonged to my grandfather. I keep them for sentimental reasons. But I have no need to fire them, so no ammunition." Frances glared at her for a moment, frustrated. Then her face resumed its usual look of indifference.

"Very well, I'll have to think of something else." And she resumed her search.

Ginny slept the afternoon away, but the babies had woken about 4. Frances slipped into the bedroom and brought out the basket. Kayla returned to the house from tending the animals to begin dinner. Something filling and nutritious, she decided. After consulting with Frances about preferences and breast milk contamination, she fixed a mild chili, string beans and cornbread.

As Kayla made dinner, Frances sat in the rocking chair and rocked the babies, gazing intently into their eyes and stroking their faces. She didn't croon to them or make nonsense sounds, but spoke quietly, seriously to them. The babies stared intently back at her. It was eerie how quiet the babies were, and how steadily they watched Frances.

"Are you Ginny's mother?" Kayla asked as the chili heated.

"No." Frances looked up. "We are not related at all."

Kayla looked puzzled. "You seem to have some bond?" She said questioningly.

Frances looked back at the babies. Kayla thought she was not going to answer. Then she said, "The news reports were correct about how young some of us are during our first pregnancy. Physically we are ready, but such youth lacks the knowledge or skills to successfully raise healthy children. Some mothers choose to let other, older women raise their babies while they devote themselves to having children. Others, like Ginny, wish to raise their babies themselves, at least for the first year or so. When this is feasible, an older, experienced female is selected to guide the younger in the proper care and training of children." Kayla nodded understandingly.

"That makes sense, under the circumstances." She admitted.

"The news reports also say that your species does not feel emotions. Yet you care for Ginny, are concerned for her and the babies, and Ginny appears to love her babies." Kayla decided to probe further.

Frances looked at her blandly. "Species survival. We are not slaves to emotions the way you are." She said scornfully. Then she pointedly turned back to the babies, ending the conversation. When dinner was ready, Frances went to wake Ginny. The girl needed sleep, but she needed nourishment more. And the babies needed to be fed. For the first time, Frances left the babies alone with Kayla. Kayla hoped this meant that Frances knew she would never harm the children.

Dinner was mostly silent, everyone concentrating on eating. Ginny finished quickly and then sat in the big chair to feed the babies. Kayla still felt a sense of disbelief that someone as young as Ginny obviously was, was mother to triplets*. But there was no denying the proof. As soon as the babies were fed, Ginny returned to bed and much needed sleep. Kayla cleaned up while Frances took care of the babies. Earlier, Kayla had gotten a nightgown and pillow from the bedroom. She would spend the night on the couch, leaving the bedroom to the Dominants.

The evening passed quietly. After receiving monosyllable answers, Kayla gave up trying to involve Frances in conversation. Instead, she did some cleaning and settled down with a book. Frances watched the babies sleep or gazed into the fire Kayla had started in the fireplace that almost filled the wall between the living room and the bedroom. Finally, Kayla went out to check on the animals one last time.

"Time for me to go to bed." She told Frances when she returned to the house. "I get up early to take care of the animals." Frances nodded and stood. She picked up the basket with the babies in it, and the extra blankets Kayla had gotten for her and entered the bedroom silently. Kayla made certain the fire was banked safely and got ready to sleep. As she lay on the couch, dozing, a thought occurred to her. She got up and locked the door, something that had not done in the sixteen years she had lived there. Still, with people looking for her guests, locking the door seemed like a good idea. With one last look around, Kayla settled herself.

When you are caring for animals morning comes early, no matter how hard a time you had getting to sleep the night before. Kayla was up by 5 and out of the house by 5:30. She had not heard any sounds from the bedroom as she dressed, but she knew better that to open the door to check on her visitors. She set about her normal morning routine trying not to think about the problems the Dominants might bring and what their existence represented to her and her kind.

Returning to the house for breakfast, Kayla found Frances at the stove frying eggs and bacon. Ginny sat at the table eating cereal and drinking juice. Kayla was relieved to see the girl looking rested and alert. The babies lay in the basket beside her chair, contentedly gazing around curiously.

"Good morning." Kayla said cheerfully. Ginny looked up with a shy smile. Frances merely nodded in acknowledgement and turned back to her cooking. The babies, Kayla was startled to note, had turned their heads to look at her intently. "Hello, little ones." She said softly. Ginny reached down into the basket and touched each baby gently in turn.

"This is George, Pamela and Emily." She said as she touched each child.

"They are very beautiful babies." Kayla said admiringly.

"Yes." Ginny replied, a little smugly. "Ginny." Frances said disapprovingly. Ginny's face lost all expression and she turned her attention back to eating. Kayla frowned, what had that been about? Breakfast over, Kayla took a shower and dressed in clean jeans and shirt. Neither Dominant was her size, Ginny being much smaller and Frances a bit bigger, but Kayla was able to supply them with a change of clothes that didn't fit too badly. After showering, Ginny played with the babies. This time when Kayla left the house to tend to the animals, Frances went along.

She stood for a long moment staring across the fields laying fallow around the farm buildings. While Kayla busied herself with the animals, the Dominant checked every bulding in sight. Kayla could only guess that she was looking for some kind of weapon. As Kayla returned supplies to cabinet in the barn, Frances descended from the loft. Kayla looked at her questioningly. "I removed all signs we were here." She explained shortly.

Back in the house, Ginny was reading a children's book. She looked up guiltily when the women entered. Frances looked at the book and frowned disapprovingly at her. Ginny put the book down and fussed with the babies.

"One of my favorites." Kayla said, picking up the book. "SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS by Arthur Ransome. I loved the way the children in the book created their own imaginary worlds and acted out stories they knew." She smiled, reminiscently.

"We have no need of irrelevent materials." Frances said haughtily. "Our reading is confined to useful non-fiction."

"I've never considered imagination irrelevent." Kayla replied mildly. "After all, without imagination, how could anything change? Scientists need imaginations as much as poets or painters."

Ginny looked up quickly, with a slight smile. Frances pointedly ignored her.

Kayla set the book back down by Ginny. She busied herself in the kitchen checking cupboards to evaluate their food supplies. Swiftly planning meals, she calculated how long the supplies she had would last for the three of them. "Well, we have enough food for about another week, except for milk and eggs. After that, I'll have to go to town to get more." She told the other woman. Frances remained unresponsive. Kayla shrugged. Plenty of time to make plans later, she thought.

Ginny lay on the big braided rug with the babies on her stomach. Kayla set lunch to baking and picked another book to read. Frances continued to brood, occasionally getting up to pace around the living room. Kayla ignored her and divided her attention between her book and watching Ginny play with the babies.

A sudden sensation of tension caused Kayla to look up. Both Ginny and Frances sat with their heads up and eyes narrowed, as if listening intently for something. Kayla strained to hear, too, but heard only the normal sounds of every day. "What's wrong?" she whispered.

"Someone is coming." Ginny breathed shakily. She darted a glance at the babies. They were gazing back at her, identical little frowns on their faces. Kayla looked to Frances.

"Humans." Frances affirmed.

"I'm not expecting anyone," Kayla said. "Although it could be someone bringing me an animal to care for." She said tentitively.

Frances maintained her listening pose. Ginny watched her closely. Frances closed her eyes briefly, then snapped them open. "Hunters!" She stated harshly.

"The humans searching for you?" Kayla asked anxiously.

"Yes." Frances hissed. She stood in the center of the room, unconsiously poised to fight.

Kayla looked out a window facing the driveway. "How close are they?"

"Near." Frances answered shortly.

"Near enough to see you if you go outside?" Kayla persisted.

"Maybe, probably. Why?" Frances snapped.

"There's a place to hide beneath one of the enclosures. It's a sort of tunnel used when I take care of burrowers. But if they are that close, they could see you leaving the house. You'll have to hide here." Kayla swiftly set about removing evidence that more than one person had been in the house. Frances joined her, making certain all clues to their presence were gone. Ginny carefully placed the babies into the basket. The babies began to fuss, sensing the agitation of the adults. Frances moved to sooth them and Ginny.

"They're close!" Ginny whispered, her fearful gaze on her babies. She tightened her hold on the basket.

"Calm down!" Frances told her sharply. "Nothing is going to happen to you or the babies. You need to control yourself, or the babies will start crying." Ginny flushed, chastened. Frances moved to the kitchen and returned with two of Kayla's largest knives. She handed one to the girl who clutched it fiercely.

Kayla moved to an antique desk in the corner of the room. Frances couldn't see what she was doing, but suddenly there was a click and a grinding noise. The back of the fireplace swung inward, leaving a dark hole.

"It dates from the time of Indian attacks on settlers in these parts." Kayla explained in answer to Frances' questioning look.

Frances looked at the darkness. She looked at the babies and back to Kayla. Kayla shrugged helplessly. "It will be a snug fit, but it's the only place." She assured the woman.

Frances nodded, and helped Ginny to the hiding place. She stood in the fireplace for one last look around.

"Do the Hunters know you have babies with you?" Kayla asked suddenly.

Frances looked at her sharply. "Of course." She said scornfully. "That's why they are so persistent." She continued to look intently at Kayla for long moments. She could feel Kayla's concern for the babies strongly. But she could also sense the human's fear and uncertainty. Frances stood, unsure of the wisdom of relying on the younger woman. The sound of vehicles penetrated the house. Time had run out. Frances retreated into the wall.

Kayla quickly closed the latch controlling the hidden door. She stirred up the ashes to hide any footprints. She went through the house quickly, taking one more look around to be sure nothing had been overlooked. The vehicles were much closer. Kayla took down the rifle that hung over the fireplace and looked at it uncertainly. She looked from the back of the fireplace to the front door. Biting her lip, she went to the desk and took out the box of shells for the rifle. Loading it, she walked out the front door to wait.

A plume of dust signaled the approach of the Hunters. Two dusty land rovers pulled into the yard. Since Kayla didn't encourage casual visitors, she didn't bother to have the road to her place graded. If you wanted to visit her, you had to work for it.

Nervously, Kayla waited. Trying to appear calm and unconcerned, she leaned casually against a porch railing. She set the rifle down on top of the railing, ready to hand.

Three men got out of each vehicle. The six men were dressed similarly in dress slacks, button down shirts and sports jackets. Their slacks were wrinkled, they had taken off their ties and loosened their collars, but they still wore the jackets. Considering the high temperatures, Kayla felt that detail was significant. She watched enough action shows to know they probably were wearing shoulder holsters under the jackets. She swallowed, hard and strove to appear naive.

"Good day, gentlemen." She called politely. "What can I do for you?" Five of the men halted midway between the cars and the porch. Seemingly by chance they had spread out a bit, turning to watch the barn and other outbuildings. The sixth man continued up to the porch. He stopped as Kayla placed her hand on the rifle.

"Good day, ma'am. I'm Special Agent Morrison and these are my associates." The man pulled out a folder and flashed some sort of ID at her. Normally, Kayla would have insisted on examining the ID carefully, but she let it pass. He glanced at the rifle and then looked at her. "Expecting trouble?" He asked mildly.

"I live out here alone." Kayla replied calmly. "It's a sensible precaution when I'm not expecting anyone."

Agent Morrison considered her answer for a moment. His cold blue eyes seemed to reach into her, looking for secrets. God, Kayla thought to herself, I hope I'm just being paranoid.

"So, Agent Morrison, what can I do for you?" Kayla asked calmly. "We're looking for a woman." he replied crisply. "She's about 35 years old, blond, a bit shorter than you. She's travelling with her daughter, a girl of 9."

"Why are you searching for them?" Kayla inquired, striving to sound only commonly curious.

"The woman is deranged. She's kidnapped three small babies from a hospital nursery."

"How awful!" Kayla exclaimed in horror. "The babies' parents must be out of their minds with worry. Why would anyone do such a thing?"

The man studied her intently. Kayla suppressed a shiver. His gaze was almost as intense as Frances'.

"Truth is, she somehow thinks the babies are hers, or her daughter's, she doesn't seem too clear on that point all the time. Apparently, she had several miscarriages and believes these babies to be them. But the babies are small, we're afraid if we don't find them quickly, it will be too late." Agent Morrison spoke urgently, sincerely.

"How can I help?" Kayla replied just as urgently. "Well, ma'am, we're asking all the people hereabouts if they've seen any strangers and asking to look around, in case the woman is hiding."

"What makes you think they are in this area?" Kayla asked.

"A trucker spotted a woman and girl matching the description a bit north of here. We're checking out all the possibilities."

"Well, I haven't been away from here in days, and I've certainly not see anyone. But you are welcome to search the property" Kayla gestured towards the enclosures. "But please, try not to go too close to the animals. They react badly to strangers."

Morrison waved to his men to start searching. "I'd like to look over the house, too." He said. Kayla understood it was not really a request. She had been expecting it.

"Certainly, although I think I would have noticed five more people around." She said, a bit sardonically. "In fact," she continued helpfully. "I'll make lemonade and everyone can come in when they're ready. I imagine you must be quite hot and thirsty."

Morrison nodded, and brushed past her to enter the house. He stopped and picked up her rifle, removing the bullets. He looked at Kayla challengingly, but she only shrugged and waved him on. Entering the house just behind him, Kayla sent up a prayer that she and Frances had removed all the evidence of the Dominants' presence.

As Agent Morrison searched, Kayla busied herself in the kitchen fixing lemonade. She also put out a selection of cookies. As the other agents came in to report to Morrison, Kayla urged them to wash up and help themselves. Soon, everyone but Morrison was happily sipping the cold drink and munching the homemade goodies.

Eventually, even Morrison gave up searching and joined the group. Kayla had been determinedly chatting with everyone, talking about the weather, the Yankees chances and the like. Morrison accepted a drink and stood outside the group, watching. He gazed steadily at Kayla and she felt her heart race. But he said nothing.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Ms. Jones." Agent Morrison said as he drained his glass. "We must be going. We have other places to search. If you should see anyone suspicious around, please call this number immediately." Agent Morrison handed Kayla a business card with his name and a phone number. Kayla nodded and took it. The other men quickly stood up and filed out of the house, thanking her as they went. Kayla stood on the porch, watching as they got back into their vehicles and left the farm. She stood quite some time, wanting to be sure they were really gone.

Kayla went to the desk and wrote something on a piece of paper. Then she released the latch for the secret door. Quickly, she moved to the fireplace and motioned for silence as Frances appeared in the opening. She held up the paper. 'Listening devices?' was what she had written. Frances paused and then nodded.

Kayla helped Ginny out of hiding as Frances swiftly but thoroughly searched the house. Ginny sat silently while Kayla busied herself washing glasses. Finally Frances came back, her hand closed tightly around something. She nodded grimly to Kayla and showed her two small metal buttons. Kayla looked at her questioningly. Frances smiled tightly and left the room. When she came back, she motioned for Ginny and Kayla to join her in the kitchen. Turning on the water in the sink, Frances told them the bugs had been in the bathroom and the bedroom. "Very well hidden." She added admiringly.

"Did you destroy them?" Kayla asked anxiously.

"No, that would tipped them off that something was going on here." Frances told her. "The devices are not powerful enough to hear low sounds from another room, so Ginny, the babies and I will stay as quiet as possible and not use those room. The bugs are also short term types. They will be expected to go dead in 24 to 36 hours. No doubt, the agents feel that if anything is going on, that time should be enough to uncover it."

"Does that mean that they suspect we are here?" Ginny asked hesitantly.

"No." Frances said firmly. "I imagine they've left these everywhere they've searched. No doubt they've also left some in the barn and sheds."

Ginny nodded, reassured. She settled herself on a chair and relaxed. "I think the babies and I will sleep in the hidey-hole." She quietly announced. Frances frowned and started to speak, but paused. Then she nodded. "If it will make you feel safer."

"I'll feel less anxious about possibility of the babies' crying if we are there. In fact, I think the babies can stay in there most of the time. It is really quite comfortable."

"Let's make it more so." Kayla said. "Some blankets and quilts should help. And I have an electric lantern in the barn for light." She moved to get them. She had seen how Frances was watching her, quizzically. She didn't really want to have a heart to heart with the Dominant right now.

Kayla busied herself making the hiding place as bearable as possible. Ginny placed the makeshift crib inside and sat on the hearth, gazing into space. Finally, there was nothing left for Kayla to do. "I think I'll go check on the animals." She said, heading for the door.

"I'll come too." Frances said, looking intently at Kayla. Kayla sighed and nodded. The two women went out to the porch, where Kayla sat on the steps looking towards the enclosures. Frances stood on the ground. For a moment, she, too, looked at the animals. Then she turned to Kayla.

"What did they say, these agents of your government?"

Kayla looked at her. "Agent Morrison said you were a deranged woman who had lost several babies in miscarriage and had stolen three babies from a hospital nursery in the mistaken idea they were yours." Frances looked thoughtful.

"A convincing story." She conceded. "Weren't you tempted to believe him?"

"If you were deranged and just thought the babies belonged to you, or Ginny, then how could she be breast feeding?" Kayla replied matter-of-factly. "True." Frances nodded. "Yet, you lied to government agents, hid fugitives from them and are planning to go on hiding them. Why?"

"I don't like being lied to. And they were definitely lying about you. I also don't like the idea of hunting a mother with the intention of taking her children away from her, when she is a good mother and not abusive."

"We are Dominants. We threaten your existence." Frances persisted.

"You, personally, don't. Those babies don't." Kayla retorted. "Not good enough." Frances snapped. "Why were you willing to shoot your own kind to protect us?"

"I wouldn't.." Kayla stopped. She was shocked to realize that Frances was right. She would have tried to stop the men if they had found the babies. She might even have used the rifle, she wasn't certain. Kayla bite her lip, hard and tasted blood. Abruptly, she stood and walked into the house. Frances let her go, feeling the struggle going on inside her. Frances sensed shock, anger, fear.

Kayla filled a large glass with water and drank it down in gulps. Refilling the glass, she returned to the living room and sat down in the rocking chair. For a few moments, she simply stared at the floor.

"If it had been just you" she began quietly, "I might have turned you in. But, it's not just you. It's the babies and Ginny. Did you know, in the 1950s, I think, the government held secret experiments in which they gave doses of radiation to mildly retarded children?" Kayla didn't look up, she wasn't expecting an answer. "So far as I know, no one involved was ever punished. None of the scientists went to jail or lost their jobs. I suspect that if the government, at least the elements that sent those men here, get their hands on the babies, it won't be to turn them over to caring foster parents. The best that could probably happen would be that the children would be raised in isolation, constantly studied, watched, run through their paces. I could never be a part of that." Kayla glanced at Frances. "Maybe I seem distrustful of my government, overall, I'm not. But it seems clear that these agents, at least, are working secretly. And secrecy breeds abuse. It has in the past as recent revelations have shown and there's no reason to believe things are different today. Quite the opposite, most likely."

Frances pondered her words carefully. She also read Kayla's emotions. Sincerity, uncertainty, and conviction mixed uneasily in the human. But it was clear to Frances that she meant what she said. She would protect the babies as fiercely, if not as skillfully, as Frances herself.

For the next several days they settled into an uneasy routine. Frances spent the nights on the couch while Ginny and the babies slept inside the fireplace. The Dominants used an old fashioned bed pan for three days, to be certain the listening devices would not detect their presence. After that, Frances took the bugs and crushed them. Kayla and Frances took turns fixing the meals and helping Ginny with the babies. Conversations centered on the animals Kayla had treated, past and present, and on the babies. They never discussed the human versus Dominant situation they were in.

Kayla called local sheriff every day, asking if woman and girl had been found. Of course the report was always negative and on the fourth day, the sheriff reported that the agents had left the area the afternoon before. The search was moving elsewhere.

"We'll wait one more day, just to be sure this is not a trick, then we will leave." Frances announced after Kayla had reported the sheriff's words. "I just hope the government hasn't forced all of the safe houses I know into shutting down."

"Why not leave Ginny and the babies here, while you find help?" Kayla asked abruptly. Frances' head whipped around.

"Out of the question." she snapped.

"Why?" Kayla countered. "They should be safe here. If they go with you, you will be slowed down. You'll also be easier to spot. You've said you are not certain where you will find help, depending on how many others the government has found, so you don't know how long or how far you will have to go, or what the situation will be when you get there. You can have my car, but even then it's not going to be easy." Kayla paused, looking at Frances challengingly. Frances said nothing, her expression grim.

"Here," Kayla continued, "Ginny and the babies have food, shelter, a hiding place and as you have seen, I get very few visitors. Once you find help, you can return for them."

"You put yourself to a great deal of trouble for us." Frances said warningly. "But we will still destroy your kind."

Kayla's chin lifted challengingly. "I won't believe that any reason is acceptable for endangering or experimenting on children; yours or ours. Nor do I believe we cannot learn to get along, if we adults were willing to work at it."

Frances said nothing. After a moment, Kayla left her alone, knowing she was at least considering the suggestion. Later, over dinner, Frances told Ginny of Kayla's idea.

"A good idea, under the circumstances." Ginny responded surprisingly. "Not the ideal, certainly, but perhaps the best we could do, considering." Frances appeared struck by Ginny's response. Clearly the young Dominant felt reasonably safe here.

Frances spent the evening considering the idea. She didn't like leaving Ginny and the babies alone, but she knew enough of Kayla to know she would not willingly let anything happen to them. And Frances couldn't be certain of what she might encounter while looking for help. Perhaps this was the best choice.

Early the next morning, Frances was up before Kayla, preparing to go. Kayla got up and fixed breakfast. She also made up a packet of food for Frances to take with her. Ginny, too, rose early. She sat watching the preparations for Frances' departure stoically.

Kayla got her car keys out of the drawer and held them out to Frances. "No." The Dominant shook her head. "You will need your car, to get groceries and such. It would cause too much comment if it were gone. I will be fine on foot. Less visible." She assured the young woman.

Frances bent over the makeshift crib and stroked the babies' cheeks one last time. "Remember what you are." She told Ginny sternly, and then hugged the surprised girl. Picking up the backpack Kayla had found, she walked out of the house without another word. Striding across the field, heading south, she was soon out of sight.

Even after they lost sight of her, Ginny and Kayla stood, staring southward. Both were deep in their own thoughts. Neither wanted to break the silence.

The babies began to cry. "Breakfast time." Ginny said, smiling softly. She reentered the house. Kayla stood for a moment longer, fearful that she would never see Frances again. "God speed." She whispered.

When Kayla entered the living room, she saw Ginny struggling to hold two babies to her breasts. Always before, Frances had helped support one baby. Kayla hurried over to lend assistance.

Kneeling on the floor beside Ginny, Kayla tried to prop the baby up. The baby began to fuss and squirm. Ginny couldn't hold him, it was George, and so Kayla for the first time found herself holding one of the babies. George continued to squirm and began crying. "What's wrong?" Kayla asked, a little desperately.

"I don't know." Ginny replied with a frown. "Put him down for a moment."

Almost as soon as Kayla set him down, George stopped crying. "Now pick him up again." Ginny instructed.

Kayla picked the baby up. He began to squirm and cry. Kayla put him down and he quieted. She looked at Ginny, hurt. "He hates me!"

"No." Ginny shook her head. "It's because you're not Dominant."

Kayla looked at her, not understanding.

"You feel different to him than either myself or Frances. It's a new sensation for him. He is unsure." Ginny puzzled it out aloud.

"So, anytime I touch one of the babies, they're going to cry." Kayla exclaimed unhappily.

"At first, maybe." Ginny conceded.

"Then I'll have to leave them alone." Kayla said sadly.

"No!" Ginny replied. Kayla looked at her surprised. "You should help as often as possible. Let them get used to the difference you humans feel like."

"Are you sure." Kayla asked hopefully.

"Yes. I think it's important for them to get used to being around humans." Ginny replied firmly. Kayla knelt, and hesitantly touched George's cheek. The baby looked at her, frowning, unsure. Ginny finished feeding Emily, burped her and then handed her to Kayla. "Hold her firmly to you." Ginny suggested. She then picked up George to finish feeding him.

Kayla shifted Emily in her hold and brought the baby tightly to her chest. Emily, too, fussed and squirmed. Kayla looked at Ginny for help. "Emily feels your discomfort and is responding to it." Ginny told her. "Relax,let her get used to you."

Kayla was struck by how now it was Ginny who seemed strong instead of uncertain. The girl was maturing. Kayla did as she said. Emily continued to fuss for a time, but less and less. Finally, as Ginny was nearly done feeding Pamela, Emily lay quietly in Kayla's arms.

As the baby had quieted, Kayla's nervousness had seeped away. Now she knelt, contentedly gazing into the baby's soft brown eyes and stroking her cheek as she had seen Ginny and Frances do.

"You are a good baby, Emily." Kayla said softly. The baby's eyes seemed to focus more on Kayla as she spoke. "Would you like me to tell you a story? Or," Kayla gave Ginny a sideways glance, "I could read you a book, a favorite of mine. It's called SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS."

Ginny looked at Kayla assessingly. "Frances disapproves of fiction." She reminded the human.

"I know." Kayla replied. "But the babies don't care what I read, they can't understand it, not yet at least. And you don't have to listen if you don't want to."

Ginny sat holding Pamela, regarding Kayla thoughtfully. "You're right, the babies can't be corrupted by something they don't understand."

Kayla shifted so she could reach the book which had remained on the end table for days. Placing her back against the couch, she settled Emily in the crook of one arm and opened the book. Ginny nestled back in the rocker holding both George and Pamela. Kayla began to read.

Five days passed. Each morning Kayla attended to the animals and helped Ginny with the babies. By now, only George continued to fuss when Kayla handled him, and then only briefly. Ginny would play with the babies while Kayla cleaned and cooked. Sometimes in the afternoon, while Kayla was working outside, Ginny would bring the babies out in their basket and sit on the porch watching. Every afternoon, when it became too hot to work outside, Kayla would read aloud to the babies and Ginny. In the evenings, after the babies were asleep, Kayla continued to read aloud. Although she feigned indifference, Ginny listened. After finishing SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS Kayla began THE SECRET GARDEN.

So five days passed and then five more. Kayla was concerned that Frances had run into trouble, and she knew Ginny wondered the same. Beyond assuring Ginny that there was always a place here for her and the babies, the two did not discuss what would happen next.

Kayla had just gotten up on the morning of the 11th day when Ginny came hurrying out of the bedroom. "What is it?" Kayla asked.

"Someone's coming!" Ginny replied breathlessly.

"Hunters?" Kayla asked anxiously.

"No. A Dominant." Ginny answered with a smile.

Kayla suddenly felt empty. A Dominant. Ginny and the babies would be leaving.

Ginny turned to Kayla as she felt the human's sadness. She understood. Ginny was a Dominant. She did not feel deeply as most humans did, but she had come to like and appreciate Kayla. She knew a fleeting sense of loss that she would never again see this human. But the slight sadness vanished in the knowledge that soon she and her babies would be with their own kind, safe. Ginny lightly touched Kayla on the arm, smiled shyly and returned to the bedroom for the babies.

Kayla helped Ginny gather up the Dominants' belongings. On the coffe table sat the book Kayla had just started to read to them, A WRINKLE IN TIME. She looked at it a moment, and then held it out to Ginny. "As a rememberence?"

Ginny looked at the book and then cocked her head, as though listening. She looked back at Kayla and accepted the book. "I'll finish reading it to the babies." She promised.

By now, the sounds of a car could be heard. Too soon, a dark sedan with tinted glass pulled up in front of the door. Kayla helped Ginny carry everything outside. The driver's door opened, and Frances stepped out. She ran a swift, assessing look over Ginny and the babies and nodded.

"Thank you." She told Kayla.

Kayla noticed that Frances' wrist was bandaged and her cheek seemed bruised. But otherwise, the woman looked fine. "Trouble?" Kayla asked, nodding at her wrist.

"Nothing major." Frances replied indifferently. Kayla nodded, smiling.

"We need to go." Frances said abruptly. She opened the back door of the sedan, revealing three child carseats. She reached for one of the babies.

"You came alone?" Ginny asked in a low voice, puzzled.

"It seemed safer." Frances replied. Ginny looked at her, frowning. "For Kayla." Frances continued. Ginny nodded, understanding. Some of the other Dominants would probably have insisted on killing the human to safeguard any information about their species she might have learned.

"I'm glad." Ginny stated simply. The two Dominants shared a long look. Frances was pleased. Ginny was growing up.

Kayla stood watching sadly. Frances stowed the other items in the trunk after the babies were strapped in. Then the Dominant walked over to the human. "We must leave." She stated.

"I know." Kayla replied. "But I will miss the babies and Ginny. I suspect I'll even miss you. Be well, and remember, if this human versus Dominant thing ever gets settled peacefully, these is always a place here for you and Ginny and the babies. Even if it's just for a visit." Frances nodded and took one last look around, then she returned to the car. Ginny came over.

"I'll miss you." She said confidingly. Kayla smiled although tears dripped from her eyes.

"I'll miss you and the babies. Remember Ginny, not all humans want you dead." Kayla hugged the girl tightly. Ginny returned the hug awkwardly but honestly.

"Ginny!" Frances called impatiently.

"I'll send pictures." Ginny promised huskily. Then she swiftly entered the car and it drove off. Kayla watched until the last bit of dust settled on the road. Then she went to take care of the animals.

Nine days later a postcard arrived. 'Having a safe time,' it read. There was no signature but Kayla knew. She smiled wistfully and sat down to reread SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS again.

*Yes I know that technically the babies are not triplets, but Kayla wouldn't know that.