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Another voice, this time belonging to Derek, rang out behind them announcing a few hours to get settled before dining and drinks at 5pm. Nodding their agreement in reply, the crowd mingled amongst each other and wandered off slowly as Charlotte and John continued their conversation and looked around the house, eventually separating back at their rooms. John opened his door and stepped into his room, dropping his bag and collapsing onto his bed. Suddenly becoming aware of how exhausted he was, he glanced at his watch and smiled as he saw he still had two hours to himself. Sighing aloud with relief, he wriggled further onto his bed and closed his eyes. He was pleased with his team. Between Chris and David they had their knowledge covered already and the other two were perfect for the job. To a lot of people, Jake would seem cocky and foolish with his over-confident, gung-ho attitude; but John he knew that underneath the bravado, the young agent had exactly what was needed to be a successful undercover operative in an alien environment. If something happened and he was no longer around, he was confident Jake would lead the team well and would either pull them to safety or get the job done. Charlotte was confident and bright and despite being more than attractive enough to turn any man over to her way of thinking, she seemed sensible enough to ensure she wouldn’t stick permanently in the minds of every man they met. An apparent total contrast to Jane, he thought, who was now firmly stuck in his mind. He’d noticed attention from women before but it had hardly registered over his feelings for Sophie. Now, after the emancipation from his unreciprocated devotion, he suddenly felt free and both Jane’s attention and attractiveness were very much clear. He noticed her check him out the moment they met, and the prospect of getting to know someone new was unusual and exciting. He accepted that with the impending risk to his life he may only get to know her in a brief and physical manner; but it had been a long time since he had ‘gotten to know’ anyone like that and the thought made his heart race. He sighed as he wondered whether it would be a good idea to be distracted by a woman when he needed to concentrate on the task at hand. It was his number one rule as a husband and an undercover that he would never play away. Now, he was no longer a husband; but an undercover he still was, and he needed his sense. It didn’t help that she was gorgeous, he thought, nor did it help that they were both part of a very dangerous assignment. But she wasn’t on his team and if he was facing a very sudden death he felt he could probably relax his own rules a little. He kept his eyes closed and considered the peace he had finally found with his family and with himself. He grinned broadly; life was going to get more fun.
     
     
    As John opened his eyes, the light was lower outside his window and the heat of the sun was pressing strongly onto him making him sweat. He rolled over to grab his watch, showing ten to five in the evening, and figured he must’ve slept though he didn’t remember passing out. He jumped up, washed his face and changed into some comfortable jeans before jogging down to the lounge and dining room they’d seen earlier.
                  Opening the door, he saw all of his team and instructors sitting around a long table, talking and joking loudly. The only seat available sat clearly between Geordie Pete and Jane who both smiled up to him as he entered.
                  “Johnny!” called Derek from the table. “Grab some food from the buffet and have a seat, mate.”
                  John smiled around at everyone and quickly grabbed some cuts of roast meat and vegetables from the chef at the buffet, sitting down in the available seat as Pete shuffled his large shoulders out of the way.
                  “Cheers,” he said, feeling ravenous. “Hi Pete, Jane. Are you