Marco wasn't following Echo today, that's what Benny was around the corner for. He almost laughed at himself, that certainly did sound creepy. 

The fact that he was in charge of making sure his boss' girlfriend always had someone nearby, keeping an eye on her, was weird enough as it was. Of course, when Luke gave the order, he didn't really expect Marco to take this on directly- Marco had to take care of other business, including the Russo brothers. But it had been awfully quiet and there hadn't been any news of them at this point.  

Today, he'd sent off the men on assignments as expected. He looked towards the corner, where Benny was sitting at a cafe, seemingly reading the paper and minding his own business. He'd caught sight of her completely by surprise. He hadn't expected that she would be in the city again but she was making it out here more and more these days.  He smiled thinking about how she had started to come out of her shell. 

Echo was definitely feeling a little more free nowadays, she had to admit it. Especially since... she felt herself grow red just thinking about it.  She floated around the department store, barely even paying attention to the clothes on the racks. 

She'd been so lucky that no one had gone up to check on her that morning. She was sure she'd be in so much trouble, especially when she realized she wouldn't be back before breakfast. She felt so ashamed, sneaking into the house round back so they wouldn't see her.  She was in a dreamy state, tired and just wanting to sink under the covers but if she did that, she knew they'd be suspicious. Instead, she changed and washed up as quick as she could before joining everyone at breakfast. 

She hadn't walked away unscathed, however; her parents assumed she'd gotten in very late the night before, accounting for her disheveled and late appearance that morning.  They'd given her a firm talking to and she'd promised not to do it again.

In the end, it was better than whatever their reaction would be if they knew she'd spent the night with her boyfriend. 

Again, Echo flushed furiously. She'd spent the night with her boyfriend. Echo was so caught up in the thought that she didn't react until it was too late to avoid running face first into the wall. 

"Owww..." Echo said loudly, as she hit the floor. "Jesus." 

"Are you okay?" a voice from behind her said. "That was... a pretty nasty fall."

"Yeah... I have those a lot." Echo said, taking the hand that was extended to her. "Thanks."

"No problem, I've had those too." Nadia said, suddenly realizing who she was helping up. 

"Nadia?" Echo asked as she saw her face. 

"Hi, Echo. So funny running into you." Nadia said, looking down at the little woman who'd caught Luke's attention. "How are you?"

"I'm good. You?" Echo asked, trying not to be awkward but she couldn't help but stare... she was so tall and sorta looked like Luke.

"Good, just... browsing." Nadia said, holding up a few dresses she held in her arms. 

"Same." Echo replied, noting the scrubs. "Do you work in a hospital?"

"Oh, yeah. I'm a nurse in a clinic in North town." Nadia said, looking down at herself. "I would have gone home to change but if I make it home, I'll probably be too lazy to go out again."

"Yeah, I know the feeling." Echo said, "I'm a real homebody myself."

"I never would have guessed it." Nadia said. "I hope this doesn't sound rude but... I almost didn't recognize you."

Echo caught sight of her reflection in the nearby mirror, she'd come out to get some shopping done because she'd gone through all of her newer clothes. Hence, she'd worn an old pair of jeans and over sized polo shirt that led down to her knees. To top it all off, she was wearing an old pair of boots that fit her a couple of sizes too big.

"Yeah. I'm kind of a disguise artist." Echo said, "But that's why I'm here, working on it." 

"Did you find anything good?" Nadia asked, looking at the items Echo was now picking up from the floor. She wasn't sure why she was extending the conversation- she should be on Grace's side, right? Unfortunately for Grace, Echo was very sweet, laughed candidly, and her parents had loved her. If Nadia was honest, she'd really liked her too.  Well, she wasn't betraying Grace by liking and being nice to her cousin's new girl friend. 

She had to admit, she hadn't seen Luke quite like that before. After everyone left, she couldn't hear enough of 'that nice girl.' 

"A few good things." Echo said, looking through them. Echo was at odds. A part of her wanted to just leave the items and go home but another part of her really wanted this girl in front of her to like her, especially since Echo liked Luke so much. 

"You know, I was just about to go grab a cup of coffee... join me." Nadia said before she could stop herself. She'd planned to do no such thing. 

"Sounds great." Echo replied, feeling surprisingly relieved at the invitation. Funny how you could want to run away from a situation and want it to unfold just the same. 

"Shall we?" Nadia replied with a smile, signalling to the cashiers at the end of the room. Echo nodded, following her lead. 

"It's getting cool out." Nadia said as they stepped out onto the sidewalk and Echo chuckled, remembering how Ben had said the same thing. 

"Yeah but I like it." Echo began to say but the sound of tires squealing made them both turn. 

"Did you hear that?" Nadia asked, looking around, wondering where it was coming from.  She looked around but all she could see was the normal type of traffic.

"Yes... I wonder if there was an accident." Echo said, but then they heard the sound again. Nadia was tense, the sound of tires and engines revving loudly wasn't usually a good thing where she came from. She couldn't explain it, something wasn't right. Nadia placed her hand on Echo's arm, urging her along. 

"Come on, we should get going." Nadia said, taking long strides. Echo allowed herself to be pulled along, curious about the change in Nadia's demeanor. 

"Everything okay?" Echo asked but Nadia did not have a chance to answer. She stopped in her tracks as a white van swerved around the corner, making Echo jump back. 

"This way..." Nadia said without releasing Echo's arm as she saw the van door slide open. She turned to go back where they'd come from but she suddenly noticed two men coming up towards them. 

"Nadia?" Echo asked in confusion.

"Run." Nadia said, turning to flee across the street and prompting Echo to do the same, but it was too late. They'd caught Echo in less than a second. Nadia grabbed her bag and swung it at the man taking Echo, screaming loudly as she did so, then she felt someone push her down. 

"Nadia!" Echo called out as she saw her hit the ground, stomping the man's foot as hard as she could. He was distracted long enough for her to slip away, but just as quickly, Echo was also pushed down to the ground, landing just a few feet from Nadia. 

Both women groaned as they tried to regain sense of their surroundings, but both were easily pulled back onto their feet and shoved into the van before they could react.

"Shit..." Nadia said, pounding on the van door as soon as it was shut. 

"It's okay... It's okay." Echo said, trying to remain calm as she reached for her cell phone but it was quickly snatched from her hands. 

"I'll take that." One of the men in the front seat said, easily snapping the phone in half. Echo stared wide eyed, trying to catch a peak through the window. "Both of you sit down."

Nadia turned to Echo who was now staring at the men in the front. 

"This isn't a smart thing you're doing." Echo said calmly, taking Nadia's hand. "I don't think you realize who you're messing with."

"That's where you're wrong, we have a message to send to Mr. Farina..." The man began but the driver suddenly slammed the breaks, sending both Nadia and Echo flying back against the doors. 

"Shit." The man said, turning back to them... "quiet."

"Owww... fuck." Echo muttered, placing a hand on the back of her head. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah..." Nadia said breathlessly. 

"You two stay put. We're watching." The man said, turning to the driver. "How many?"

"I can't tell. Come on." The driver replied.

Echo gazed at Nadia as both men stepped out of the van, unable to get a clear view of what was going on. 

"I can't believe they just left us here alone... they should know better." Nadia muttered, moving to try to get a closer look.

"Listen, we need to go." Echo whispered, making Nadia stare at her wide eyed.

"Are you crazy? if they catch us..." Nadia began but Echo shook her head. 

"They won't. Just get ready to run." Echo said.

"Echo, you don't understand what these people are like..." Nadia replied but Echo squeezed her hand. 

"Trust me. Right now they're distracted... we need run. We can't let them take us wherever it is they're planning too." Echo said. Nadia licked her lips, hesitant, but for some reason, she just trusted this girl. 

"Okay." Nadia said, reaching for the handle. 

"Now." Echo said, pushing the van doors open and jumping out with Nadia beside her. They took off running, ignoring the screams that were coming from behind them and turning the corner...

Nadia felt an arm snake around her waist and pull her back, practically whipping her to a halt. 

"Let me go!" Nadia yelled, beginning to pound on the man's arms. "Echo!"

Echo looked back, and took off running towards her full speed, not bothering to to take notice of the men around her. She jumped, reaching the man's back and wrapping an arm around his neck, causing him to drop Nadia in his surprise. 

"Run, Nadia." Echo managed to mutter as the man wiggled around backwards, trying to shake her off. 

"Damn it... let go... it's me... let go..." He said, finally managing to push her off but not before she landed a firm blow to his mouth. "FUCK."

"Marco?" Nadia said suddenly as she rose to her feet. Echo turned, one hand cradled in the other, wondering if she'd heard correctly.

"Yeah... Marco." Marco muttered, putting a hand to his jaw and rubbing. 

Echo glared at him for a second, letting it sink in.

"We got 'em." Benny said, appearing from around the corner with a couple of men. Nadia and Echo moved quickly to the corner and stared in amazement. Six men. All on the floor, arms behind their back and faces deep in asphalt...   

"You two okay?" Marco asked, signalling for Benny and his other men to move forward. 

"Yeah, I think we're okay." Nadia muttered, turning to Echo who was still staring at the men on the floor.  Luke's men had saved them before they could even be properly kidnapped. 

"Good, Echo?" Marco said, approaching her and putting a hand on her shoulder. Echo glanced up at him, still in a daze. Echo squinted, trying to find the words to describe what she was feeling, putting together the vague idea that she should apologize for hitting Marco... 

But when she opened her mouth, all they got was her breakfast... all over the concrete and Marco's shoes.

"Shit... okay." Marco said, jumping back. "You guys clean up, I'll get the girls out of here."