CHAPTER 2

Alex felt the air rush from her lungs when she hit the floor. The lone lamp in the room went out, and they were plunged into darkness. As the sound of gunfire filled the room, she was able to make out Tommy's silhouette next to her.

"Fuck! Get down, Finn!" he called out over his shoulder. Then without a backwards glance, he reached inside his jacket, and began to crawl towards the window.

Looking up, Alex saw Finn still lying on the exam table. His hands were clamped over his ears, and he had a look of pure terror on his face. Outside the window, the moon drifted from behind the clouds, sending a shaft of light into the room.

Alex felt her heart slow with the terrible certainty of what was about to happen "Finn, love! You have to-"

The bullet pierced the boy's arm before she could finish the sentence, his small body jerking as blood blossomed across his shirt. The world seemed to slow as she scrabbled across the floor, memories flooding her brain. She dimly heard Tommy returning fire at the attackers outside, but her only focus was on Finn.

Reaching his side, she saw he was crying. "I don't want to die, Alex," he choked. "I haven't even had a chance to play with the new puppy John got me."

Alex took him in her arms and slid him carefully to the ground. "Well, then there's only one thing to do," she said soothingly. "I've got to fix you up as good as new, so you can have a go with that little dog." Ripping his shirt open, she saw the entry side of the bullet. It was just above the elbow, and was bleeding heavily. She tore a piece of his shirttail off, and used it to form a makeshift compress. "What's your puppy called?"

"Elliott." He winced as she applied pressure to the wound. "That hurts. Can you not push so hard?"

"Sorry, Finn, but I've got to show this wound I'm in charge. If I don't, it will never mind me."

A flaming bottle suddenly flew through the window. It hit the floor, and rolled over to the wall. The flames licked at the long curtain that stood ready to shield the exam table. The material was a column of fire in a matter of seconds.

Tommy, who was intent on reloading his gun, did not even spare the flames a glance. "Mr. Shelby!" Alex shouted.

"Get out, Dr. Ross. Take Finn, and go out through the back. I'll be right behind you." His voice was firm, but calm.

She shook her head. "They're going to be back there too. Anyone who has no compunction about pipping a small child is intent upon killing all of us."

He met her gaze, and gave her a slight nod. "Right then. Do you know how to handle a firearm?"

Alex hesitated for an instant. Then, still holding pressure on Finn's arm with one hand, she reached for a drawer on a nearby cabinet, and pulled out a revolver.

"I'm a Webly-Fosbury girl. Hope you've no objections."

The corner of his mouth quirked up ever so slightly. "None at all. Here, let me take Finn."

"Give me a moment to tie a pressure bandage." She reached under her skirt and tore a long piece of her slip. The burning curtain had heated up the room considerably, and she found herself sweating. Working quickly but efficiently, she fashioned a bandage snugly around his arm. "This is going to hurt a bit, Finn, but I can tell you're a strong boy."

He nodded, his blue eyes round with fear. Tommy squeezed his shoulder. "Good lad. Now you're going to go for a bit of a ride. Hold on tight."

As they left the room, Alex whistled for Charles, who was frantically pacing the room. The dog trotted at her heels as she followed Tommy down the narrow hallway. "Have you a walled garden?" he called out.

"A small one."

"Anywhere they could be hiding?"

"There's a small shed in the right hand corner, and a raised bed to the left of the door."

As they reached the back door, Tommy put Finn down, leaning him against the wall with the blanket tucked around him. Charles pressed his furry body against the boy, and whined. Finn, his eyes closed, patted the dog listlessly. Moonlight streamed through the glass pane in the top third of the door. Finn's face was whiter than ever, and he seemed to be losing his grip on consciousness. Alex instinctively moved forward to check on him, but Tommy held up his hand, motioning for her to flatten herself against the wall.

She chafed at his instructions, but knew he was right. Neither of them would be any good to Finn if they were shot-or killed. Tommy eased his hand onto the door knob. Meeting Alex's eyes, he gestured for her to move to the small window to the right of the door. "Cover me," he mouthed.

Still standing inside, he shoved the door open with one hand. A bullet came from the left and landed squarely in the wood. As the door swung back, Tommy stuck his head around the door frame, and fired to the left. A grunt was heard, followed by a loud thump.

As the door slammed shut, a head popped over the wall of the garden. A shot rang out, shattering the window and missing Alex by inches. As the cold air spilled into the corridor, Tommy swore. "I've got to flush them out," he hissed. "I'm going out there."

Her heart pounding in her chest, she looked at him with disbelief."Are you insane?" she whispered. You'll be like a fish in a barrel."

"The raised bed gives me some cover, as does the dead Italian. Now when I open the door, I want you to distract them by firing from the window. Careful, now-don't give them a target."

She nodded, her fingers closing around the trigger. Her hand began to shake, just as it always did. Taking in a deep breath, she began to pray.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son.

As she slowly exhaled, her hand steadied, and she raised the pistol. As Toommy's hand closed in on the knob, her eyes scanned the garden. When he pushed the door open, a slight movement to the side of the shed drew her attention. She took in a half breath, and squeezed the trigger. As Tommy vaulted into the empty flower bed and flattened himself against the ground, a cry of pain rang out from across the garden. A man fell heavily to the ground, and lay still.

Blood roaring in her ears, Alex began to feel lightheaded. A draft of hot air billowed down the hall, bringing a cloud of smoke with it. Her eyes watered as she strained to focus her vision. As her gaze wandered over the outline of the shed, she frowned. Something was not quite right about the roof. Then a silver flash of metal caught her eye. She sighted a dark form, exhaled, and fired. A grunt and a loud thump followed.

A bullet whizzed through the air, burying itself in the wall next to her. She ducked, and saw with alarm that the carpet in the hallway was ablaze. Finn had slumped to the side, and the bandage on his arm was soaked with blood.

"No!" She dropped her revolver, and dove across the hall, Taking the boy in her arms, she said urgently, "Finn, can you hear me?" He moaned, burrowing his face against her thick sweater.

"I'm so cold, Alex. I can't feel my fingers anymore."

There were more gunshots from outside, and a stab of fear pierced her heart.

Save and deliver us, we humbly beseech Thee.

She draped the blanket around both of them, hugging him to her chest. One hand slipped to his arm, finding the wound and applying pressure once again. "I'll warm you up, sweetheart. And as soon as we get you back home, I'll make you some hot chocolate, with lots of whipped cream. You like whipped cream, don't you?" Tears were running down her cheeks now. Alex wanted to believe that it was from the smoke that was filling the corridor, but in her heart, she knew that hope was slipping away for them now.

Then the door swung open, and Tommy was kneeling next to her. "It's over." He took Finn from her arms, then extended his hand. Pulling her to her feet, he gave her the briefest of nods. "Well done. Now let's get my brother patched up."

Xxx

Two hours later, Alex sat by Finn's bedside. He slept peacefully, his breathing even. He was still much too pale for her liking, but she knew from experience that his youth and vigor would speed his recovery. She patted a sleeping Charles and smiled. The spaniel was snuggled next to the boy. In turn, a small brown puppy was pressed up against the larger dog.

The door scraped open, and Tommy entered the room. He held a bottle of whisky and two glasses. Closing the door with his foot, he set the glasses down on the nightstand, and poured a generous portion into both.

Drawing a chair next to Alex, he sat down, and handed her a glass.

"Thanks, but I don't drink on duty," she murmured.

Tommy pressed the glass into her hands, and returned her gaze steadily. "You're not on duty. If Finn was in hospital, you'd be in bed asleep."

"But he's not in hospital. He's here, and there's no one else qualified."

"Arthur's sobered up, and he was a field medic. A damn good one, actually. So you can have a drink. You need a drink. " He paused, then spoke, his voice a bit lighter. "Come on, I even went to the trouble of getting Scottish whisky. I usually don't let the fucking stuff in the house-it's only Irish for the Shelbys. But I figured with the name Ross-and your accent-that you'd prefer the Scottish."

Alex glanced at him. "Then I suppose I must accept your hospitality. Thank you." She took a sip, then turned her attention back to Finn. Smoothing the blanket, she said quietly, "It doesn't help, you know. The whiskey."

Tommy drained half his glass, and shook his head. "With all due respect, Doctor, I have to disagree."

Swirling the amber liquid in her glass, she stared down at it. "It just drives the demons deeper...and then they become more clever, and come after you in darker, more unexpected ways."

"You talk as though you have experience in the matter."

"If you're referring to darkness and demons-yes, I have experience in such things, Mr. Shelby. Much more experience than I'd like."

A bell from a nearby church tolled the hour of midnight. They sat in companionable silence until Tommy nodded off. A few minutes later, Alex put her head down on the bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

Thank you so much to all who read and reviewed the first chapter! I'm in withdrawal after seeing the last episode of season 4 on Wednesday. Since all the reviewers were guests, I can't respond personally, but to answer a few questions...

For Iris-I like John too much to allow him to be killed off in my story, so he's safe! I don't anticipate using Lizzie, so you don't have to worry about that storyline either. :)

For Lissa and the guest who commented on Steven Knight and his writing of women...I agree that although Knight does so many things so very well, many of his female characters leave much to be desired...and I also Tommy needs someone who can meet him as an equal and not just be another woman for him to toss into bed and use. I think he's a little more complex of a character to be doing that over and over.

Let me know what you think of this chapter if you have a moment.