"Have you ever seen so many shades of blue..." Alex looked out the window in wonder as the small plane flew over the islands below them for their short hop to Bora Bora. The white sands of the islands sparkled as they flew lower. Alex marveled at the scene of palm trees, mountains and lagoons. But the water...

"I don't think I've seen water so blue in my life. It's almost an indigo color." She gazed at the man next to her, the one who had made this trip possible. "What happens when we land?"

"We take a boat to the resort." He returned her smile as he took her hand. His fingers were warm and strong in hers, and her breath caught at the twinkle in his eyes.

"Which is where?" There was a tightness to Nick's voice. Alex knew that the younger man had to be anxious about the secrecy of Derek's plan. This new Derek was still taking some getting used to, and the security chief didn't like being kept in the dark by either Derek. They knew they were going to Bora Bora, but the precept had yet to tell them where they were staying or on what part of the island.

"I will tell you that it's not too near the main town of Vaitape," Derek said.

"Well, jeez, I'm so glad to here that," the younger man muttered. "But that doesn't help a lot."

Derek chuckled. "All right, it's on a motu called Tevairoa."

"A motu?" Rachel stared at him. "What in the world is that?"

The precept released his hand from Alex's and she suddenly found it easier to breathe. "It's Tahitian for... it's basically a mini-island." He raised his head as an announcement was made to buckle their seatbelts for landing. "You'll soon see for yourselves."

The plane arrived at the airfield and the group shortly made it through Customs. Derek glanced around the terminal as they grabbed their bags. "Now where..."

"Dr. Rayne!" They turned to see a young man with blond hair hurrying toward them. "Ik ben... I'm sorry I was delayed, sir." He held out his hand. "Jeroen van Dissen from the Dutch consulate, at your service. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the boat."

He nodded to the others and smiled. "Welcome to Bora Bora and a Merry Christmas to you." His eyes lit on Alex's flower and his smile grew. "How nice to have another beautiful young vahine available on the island." She found it difficult not to return his engaging smile.

"Excuse me," Derek said. "Is everything arranged?" A warm glow flowed through her at the curt tone in the precept's voice. He couldn't be jealous, could he? She sighed. He was more than likely annoyed at the man for being late.

"Yes, sir," Jeroen said as he placed their luggage on a cart. "They're waiting for you at the hotel, and the packages are in the rooms. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the private launch."

A short time later, the boat was skimming along the lagoon toward their destination. Alex lifted her face to the sun as a breeze caressed her face, blowing her hair into disarray as she stood by the railing. She inhaled deeply, awed at the fragrance of flowers and... freshness. She had never smelled such fresh air. It was intoxicating.

Yet she seemed to be the only one enjoying it. She grinned as she looked behind her. Nick and Derek were involved in a conversation as Rachel lounged on a chair.

"It is beautiful, isn't it?" Jeroen stood beside her.

"Yes, it is." She gazed at the several small islands on their right. "Have you been on Bora Bora long?"

"Several years now." His hand lightly fingered a tendril of her hair. "Perhaps if you have some free time you'll allow me to show you around." He watched her intently, waiting for her response. She hesitated, torn by conflicting emotions.

"Perhaps..." Her head turned to the tall man behind her. Jeroen regarded her quizzically for a moment before walking to the rear of the boat.

The vessel soon pulled up to a dock, and several native men rushed to secure the lines. She could see the hotel on the hillside, its white walls partially blocked by large palm trees, as she headed for the rear of the boat to disembark. The young Dutchman took her elbow to help her out, and a flicker of apprehension startled her. She shook it off as he moved past her to help Nick with the luggage. Derek assisted Rachel before they spotted a dark, middle-aged man and a young Polynesian woman walking down the steps of the dock toward them.

"Ia ora na, bonjour, good morning," the man greeted them. "Dr. Rayne, I presume?"

"Yes," the precept shook his hand, then indicated his friends. "These are my guests. Alexandra Moreau, Nicholas Boyle and Dr. Rachel Corrigan." The man grasped each hand in his.

"My name is Jean-Pierre Martan, the manager. I would like to officially welcome you to the Bora Bora Pearl Beach Resort. Manatira would like to present you with flowers from our islands." The young woman smiled as she stepped forward. "Io ora na," she said as placed floral leis over their heads.

"Oh, my God," Rachel breathed. "Is that where we're staying?" She stared at the hotel rising from the shore ahead of them. Several bungalows were along the water's edge and a garden flowered off to the side.

The precept nodded. "I hope you approve of it," he said as if there might be any doubt.

"Approve?! What a gorgeous place!" Joy bubbled in Alex's laugh and shone in her eyes as she glanced around her before her eyes returned to Derek's. A grin tickled at the corners of his mouth. He seemed quite pleased with himself.

"If you'll follow me, please." The manager signaled to several men who placed their bags on a cart. Instead of walking up the ramp toward the hotel, however, they took a different one that led off to the side. They continued walking behind the manager until it ended in a larger garden.

"Where are we going now?" Nick asked as Mr. Martan headed down a path toward a sizable swimming pool. "Aren't we staying there?" He pointed at the white stone building behind them.

"Actually, our rooms are closer to the water," Derek told them. Alex saw a hint of mischief in his eyes. Closer to the water...

End part 7