There was a knock at the front door and she blinked, the room slowly coming back into focus. There was another tap and she realised she was still sitting on the couch and it would be up to her to answer the front door.

"Jack" her voice was no more than a whisper as she wondered if he had good or bad news for her. She realised she was blocking the door and quickly stood aside to let him in taking his hat and coat without another word.

"I've just come from the hospital" unnecessary to remind her, but he did anyway, "I finally managed to get a hold of his mother and he is in a stable condition."

She considered his words, "but still unconscious?"

He wasn't looking at her, "yes"

Her fingers began to tap in some unknown tune onto her arms which were folded tight across her chest.

"How is Miss Williams?" the words startled her out of her dream,

"Jane refuses to leave her side and Mr Butler just gave her something to sleep." Her bottom lip was trembling and her voice faulted on the word sleep, but she looked into his face all the same.

"And you?" this was the out she had been looking for and she unfolded her restless arms and allowed Jack to pull her into a tight hug. As selfish as it was, she had hoped that he would allow himself to comfort her as she so needed. Finally she pulled away and shook her head slightly looking up to him, "I'm fine compared to the rest." He nodded at her solemnly before his hands pulled away from the soft material of her waist.

"Dr Macmillan promised to telephone the moment Collins regains consciousness" She could tell he wasn't telling her everything, but decided to leave it for the moment. They need to talk about what happened that afternoon before it overwhelmed them both. Wordlessly she grabbed his hand and pulled him into the parlour where she poured them both a drink which neither drank.

They sat across from each other in silence for what felt like years before she spoke, this had been dancing across her mind from the moment she saw him fall to the ground. "I don't know what will happen if he doesn't make it." The words hung heavy in the air and she heard Jack take a deep breath at the thought which he had been trying so hard to avoid.

So it was more serious that he was allowing her to believe.

She wondered if Dot would ever really would, could, recover from such a shock. She knew from experience she couldn't survive without Jack and she had only really kissed him once, what they had was a friendship at best. Hugh Collins it appeared to her was made for Dorothy Williams and a world without him suddenly seemed bleak.

The day had started off fine, brilliant if she was honest, until it had all gone horribly wrong. As soon as Hugh hit the ground it began to pour rain, almost as if the world knew it was wrong for such an innocent soul to fall witness to this.

"I should have.." she cut off this sentence, knowing exactly where it was going and refusing to play along.

"Don't be silly Jack, there is nothing you could have done. The man is crazy, he would have shot any one of us given half a chance." He seemed to consider her words before taking a sip of his drink and shutting his eyes tilting his head back against the lounge giving into his emotions.

Mr Butler knocked softly on the door frame and she turned away from Jack to face her butler with a tight lipped smile,

"Sorry to disturb you Miss, I thought you might like to know Dorothy is soundly asleep and Jane will be down presently to say goodnight."

"Thank- you Mr B, I appreciate it."

"If that will be all Miss?"

"Of course," even Mr Butler looked warn which really was not a good sigh, "goodnight" he bowed slightly before turning to leave, again leaving the pair in silence.

She wondered why Jack had come, he could have just as easily telephoned her, and yet here he was. She hadn't seen him since the ambulance had taken Hugh away. She had gone home, scooped Dot up telling her what happened before driving her to the hospital where they had remained up until an hour ago.

"Where is Burton now?"

His eyes jerked open and he looked slightly startled, "He is locked away at the station. Last I saw him his nose was broken and he had some nasty bruises. The boys called the doctor as I was leaving."

There was another tap on the door frame interrupting her response inquiring into the shot he had taken at the murders foot.

"Jane"

The girl stood in the doorway glancing at the Inspector and then back to Miss Fisher before entering the still room. "Dot is asleep, so I thought I would say goodnight." She smiled before talking her wards hand and stroking it gently, kissed her on the hair, "You are an angel Jane, and I know Dot appreciates everything you are doing for her." Jane smiled at her mother, "But you're right, sleep will be more helpful to everyone when tomorrow comes. Go upstairs and I will be up in a moment to say goodnight." Jane kissed her mother on the head and gave the Inspector a small smile of acknowledgment before walking back up the stairs to her room.

She looked over at the Inspector who had now finished his drink and placed his glass on the table. "Will you wait here while I say goodnight to Jane?"

"Of course" She rose on his word and silently left the room climbing up into the dark silence of upstairs.

Jack shut his eyes again as soon as she reached the top of the stairs. Hugh Collins had been shot while on duty and Jack was not entirely sure he would last the night. He had been covered in blood and Miss Fisher had rushed to his aid stemming the flow of blood while Jack took the opportunity to shoot Burton in the foot before arresting him. Collins would have probably already been dead if it wasn't for her and for once he was thankful for her interference. Although she was right, there was nothing that could have been done to prevent the shooting. The man was crazy, he had already killed 5 women in as many weeks and they had finally managed to track him down.

Jack hoped he wouldn't have to up that murder count to 6.

Don't worry, there is more story