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She lives in Asheville with her father. She said she spends much of her day interviewing for jobs. She's looking for a job as a computer consultant, although she's a longtime engineer. So far, though, no one has hired her.

The remainder of her time is spent researching adoption issues and talking with lawyers about ways to revive her case.

Few options remain.

"When it comes to access to children, custody and visitation is what we have," said Cheryl Howell, a family law expert at UNC-Chapel Hill. "There aren't any other legal theories that can get you access to a child."

So far, Quets has not accepted the very real possibility that she may never see Holly and Tyler again.

"I don't have time to think about it," Quets said.

Meanwhile, a minor issue in the visitation case in Wake remains unresolved. The Needhams want Quets to pay their attorney's fees. The cost of litigation has sapped the money of the Needhams and Quets.

Quets said she is using her retirement money from Lockheed Martin to cover her legal expenses. In Florida, a judge ruled that Quets did not have to pay the Needhams' attorneys' fees in a lawsuit she filed related to the adoption case.

She points to such rulings as victories and fuel for future challenges. "Things are getting better," Quets said. "You saw that I won the fee hearing. The judge said that none of this is frivolous."

Everyone is not thrilled by Quets' newfound activism and her persistence in the custody case.

"Every time she pulls a lawsuit trick out of her hat, it was terribly frustrating," said Moncol, the supporter of the Needhams. "She does need to stop."

Recently, as Quets waded through the stacks of court papers, she pulled out a small photo album with snapshots of Holly and Tyler, now 2 1/2. She takes it everywhere.

Quets wiped away tears as she flipped through the album, telling the story behind each picture. It may be the only way she sees their faces for quite some time.

"I'm tired of courts, and I'm tired of lawyers," Quets said. "I just want to be a mom to my babies."

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