Here's chapter 3 - sorry for the wait. Keep reading & reviewing!


Elizabeth moved the food around in her plate; it was good but she couldn't bring herself to eat much. John watched her, slightly worried, not knowing if she wasn't eating because of some kind of a shock or the combined effects of the burns and her leg injury. He wished she'd allow him to look at it, in case it was anything serious that required urgent medical attention.

"You don't have to eat if you don't want to", he offered gently. "Just make sure you drink water, OK? It will take a while for your body to recuperate."

"I'm sorry", she sighed. "This is good, it really is. I'm just…"

"It's all right, I'm not offended. How are you feeling?"

Elizabeth shrugged.

"Still worried I'm going to attack you when you sleep?"

She glanced at him, surprised and John smiled. "You seemed somewhat…untrusting before. I don't blame you, though, out here it's a valuable survival skill. But listen, I swear you're safe with me. When you feel better, I'll take you to the ranch and my housekeeper Lorraine can nurse you back to full health. I take it you're American?"

"I am, yes."

"You're here on holiday?"

She nodded. "My return flight is in a couple of weeks, we were going to fly to Sydney after this. I guess that won't happen."

"Well, it depends on how you'll recover. I think you can still make your flight back to the US and Sydney will always be there. We won't know anything until a doctor has assessed your injuries, but I would still like to take a look at your leg, just to know if we need to leave first thing tomorrow morning."

She was still hesitant, not scared of him anymore but still unsure of letting him near her, letting him touch her. But her leg was aching terribly now and she was really getting worried it was badly injured.

"Go ahead then."

He nodded, moving closer to her on the blanket and gently lifted her leg to his lap. She had taken off her shoes before and was wearing a pair of loose-fitting pants that had been an excellent choice for this trip, being made of light fabric while still protecting her from the sun. John pushed them up to her knees, noticing her legs were very long and slender, but one of them was somewhat badly swollen and bruised.

"OK, can you tell me where it hurts the most?"

She made a face. "My ankle…but it sort of radiates up to the knee."

John carefully touched her ankle, slowly moving it in little circles and she inhaled sharply.

"Does that hurt?"

"Yeah."

"Well, I don't think it's broken and the circulation is fine", he said, fingers moving upwards on her leg. She determinedly ignored the shivers the touch caused in her, putting it down to the pain and shock instead of the fact that a good-looking man was gently touching her leg.

"It's probably just a bad sprain but you need to stay off it a few days at least. I'm afraid I don't have any painkillers with me but I'll get a doctor to look at it as soon as we get to the ranch."

Elizabeth nodded and he pulled the pant leg back down.

"So…when are we leaving?"

"I'm not sure. It's not that far considering the usual distances around here but it's still too long to walk. I'll radio the ranch in the morning for somebody to come and get us, as Jazz isn't going to be able to carry the both of us plus the supplies."

She glanced at him. "Jazz?"

"My horse."

"Oh." She smiled a little. "You have a lot of them?"

"Horses? Around hundred at the moment, give or take a few. Jazz is one of the best, I've raised many but he's special."

Elizabeth looked down, still smiling. "Of course. I like jazz. The music, I mean."

"You'll like the horse too, once you meet him." John rose from the blanket and added some wood to the fire.

She watched the flames dancing on his face and was struck by how romantic this situation could have been. Alone with a gorgeous man in a cave in the Australian outback, warm and comfortable except for her injuries. For a moment she could forget the horrors of the previous day, losing her best friend and probably her boyfriend as well, but she knew that sooner or later the horrible grief and emptiness would strike her again. She leaned back on her elbows and sighed, wondering if John's hair stuck up to all directions on its own. He didn't seem like the type who spent ages in front of a mirror each morning trying to get it just right.

"What?"

His voice startled her and she realized he had caught her staring.

"Nothing. Sorry. I was just thinking."

"Something important?"

"Yeah…well, not really." She was grateful for the darkness of the cave which hid the slight blush that had risen to her cheeks.

"Hmm." John glanced at her quizzically but focused on the fire. "For a moment there I was sure you were blushing."

Her eyes widened and he flashed that grin of his again. "But I'm sure it was just your face being red from the sun."

"So seeing in the dark is one of your talents?" She shot back, slightly mortified.

John shrugged. "Yeah, out here one tends to need that talent." He abandoned the fire and took a seat by her feet again. "I've also been told I'm a reasonably good listener. In fact, I've had more drunken women give me their life stories than I care to account for. So I was kind of hoping you'd like to…talk to me."

She looked away. "Talk to you about what?" She knew very well what he meant.

If he was frustrated with her, he hid it extremely well. "Well, I'd like to know why I found an American tourist all alone in the middle of a desert with a blood-stained sweater tied around her. I'm not accusing you of anything, I just want to know who I'm about to bring to my ranch."

She had forgotten about Maria's blood on the sweater and sadness lifted its head again. "You don't have to bring me anywhere. Leave me here if you're so worried."

John sighed. "Elizabeth, you wouldn't survive here. Maybe for a couple of days you'd be OK, but when the immediate food and water supply had run out, you'd get into trouble. Unless you're used to jungle life, which I very much doubt."

"You don't know anything about me so I'd rather not have you assuming things."

"Come on, Elizabeth, you have an expensive air about you; your clothes are clearly not from a second-hand market and that piece of jewellery is not cheap either."

She glanced at the diamond bracelet around her wrist and crossed her arms defensively to hide it.

"It was a gift."

"I am not accusing you of stealing it." There was a hint of annoyance in his voice now. "All I'm saying is that you're probably used to a comfortable living, likely someone who's accustomed to working and living indoors. You wouldn't last a day in the jungle."

"Fine, you've made your point!" Elizabeth was getting slightly hysterical. "Why can't you see I don't want to talk about it? I haven't killed anyone, I can vouch for that but I can't…it's too painful."

John frowned but dropped the subject, seeing the look of sheer panic on her face. "Calm down. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have pushed you."

She wrapped her arms around herself. "What are you doing here anyway? Why are you here in the middle of nowhere and not at your ranch with your horses?"

A slightly pained look crossed his face before he smiled. "I needed a break."

"Why?"

John sighed. "The horses and I got bored of each other."

She rolled her eyes. "Come on, John."

"It's a long story, one that I'm far too tired to start unravelling now. I come here occasionally, when I need space and time to think. I wasn't expecting this, though."

"I'm sorry for interrupting your little holiday." She knew she sounded mean, was being completely unfair towards the man who had saved her life but the words seemed to escape her mouth before she could control them. John merely smiled and reached past her for a sleeping bag.

"I'm sure you are. Here, I'm sure you're beat."

She took the bag. "What about you? Do you have another one of these?"

"Don't worry about me." He pulled a blanket from the clothing back. "I'm used to sleeping in uncomfortable conditions."

She eyed him for a moment before manoeuvring herself into the sleeping back. "Well, thank you. For everything."

He smiled. "You're welcome, Elizabeth Weir. Sleep well."

She lay awake for a long time after John had fallen asleep, thinking and wondering about her situation, hoping he was really asleep and couldn't hear her quiet sobs as tears rolled down her face and the fire slowly died down to a soft amber glow.


Elizabeth woke to the sound of John talking quietly on the radiophone and stretched her limbs, grimacing slightly at the pain that shot through her stiffened ankle. At a closer look, it was perhaps a little less swollen than the day before but it still hurt like hell.

John turned his head and noticed she was awake, slightly nodding his head. "Thanks, Ronan, I appreciate it. I'll see you tomorrow then. Sheppard out."

He lowered the phone from his hand. "Good morning. Slept well?"

She shrugged. "OK. Who's Ronan?"

"Ronan Dex, my right-hand man over at the ranch. He's the main caretaker of the horses and also runs things while I'm away. He's going to send somebody to come and get us."

"That's kind of him", she muttered, rubbing her leg and drawing a worried glance from him.

"Does it still hurt?"

She nodded mutely, watching as he repeated the previous night's examination on her leg.

"We'll get going tomorrow morning and I've asked for a doctor to be there to meet us. Do you think you can handle the pain for one more day?"

Elizabeth took a deep breath and slowly counted to ten, pressing her eyes shut until the worst wave of pain subsided. "Yeah. I'll have to, right?"

John smiled apologetically. "I'm afraid so. I didn't think of bringing any painkillers; they've never been needed before. I guess I'll know better from now on."

"So you think you'll get into a situation like this again?" Elizabeth stood up carefully, using the wall as a support to make her way to the entrance of the cave. It was very hot again; the sky breathtakingly blue and it would have been so beautiful to her in different circumstances.

She thought of the bodies of the other members in her company, lying on the desert; sooner or later she'd have to talk about what had happened so they could be brought back to their families. Before leaving she had moved Maria's body to shelter from the burning sun the best that she could; the thought of her friend being unrecognizable to her loved ones terrified her and she knew what damage the sun could do, not to mention any animals that could possibly be on the hunt for food.

"You'll never know", John's voice startled her back to reality. "You're certainly not the first one to get lost around here."

She knew she was exceptionally lucky for having him there and someday she'd really have to think of a way to thank him for saving her life. Now, however, the words just didn't come.

The beautiful black horse standing outside the cave turned its head and looked at her with kind brown eyes. She smiled, slowly making her way over and offering her hand for the horse to sniff.

"Hello, Jazz", she said quietly, gently scratching the horse's forehead and laughing as he leaned his head forward to rest it on her shoulder.

"Thought you two would get along." John nodded approvingly. "You like horses?"

"I love them. He's beautiful." Elizabeth gave the horse a final pat and walked further to see more of their surroundings.

It really was beautiful; the greenery of the forest against the blue sky, the hum of a small waterfall nearby mixing with the sounds of the jungle. She carefully leaned down to touch the water and flinched at how cold it was. Splashing it on her face, she instantly felt invigorated and for one precious moment it seemed to wash away her troubles.

"You should stay off that leg." John was in the process of boiling water when she made her way back, exhausted even though it had been such a short distance. It seemed that the injuries and dehydration had stripped her from her strength very efficiently because in normal circumstances she regarded herself as someone in a good physical condition.

"I know. I just wanted to take a look around. You wouldn't have any coffee in there by any chance?" She took a hopeful glance towards the food supplies and he grinned.

"You're in luck. It's instant and a far cry from the real stuff, but it's something." He handed her a cup and she inhaled deeply at the rich aroma.

"I'm eternally grateful for this, no matter what it is." She took a sip, closing her eyes in enjoyment and he laughed.

"Coffee addict?"

"You could say so." She watched him over the rim of the cup. "You know, you don't sound Australian to me."

"That's because I'm not." He took a sip from his own cup. "I'm American, born and raised in Seattle, Washington. I bought the ranch nearly ten years ago and have been living here full-time for the past five."

"Why?"

John shrugged. "I needed a new place. New people, an adventure. And I was married to an Australian."

For some reason, hearing that had a negative effect on her mood. "You're married?"

"I was." He frowned, the pained look crossing his face again. "I don't really want to talk about it. It's over."

"OK." She really shouldn't have felt this happy for something that was obviously difficult for him. Mentally slapping herself, she took another sip. "But you chose to stay here…even after it ended?"

John smiled slightly. "Yeah. To be honest, I'm not sure I could go back anymore. This is more my kind of life, you know, more freedom, I can decide what I want to do. There's nobody to hassle me and I get to raise horses and enjoy these gorgeous views day in and day out."

The passion in his eyes had her momentarily speechless. This was obviously a man who had found his place in life, his roots, somewhere to enjoy life to the fullest. If only she'd someday be as lucky.

"Do you have any children?" The words were out of her mind before she could stop them and she grimaced; she had no right to be so curious about a man she had only met the day before. John didn't seem to mind, however, shaking his head.

"No. You?"

"No. Not yet, anyway."

"But you're planning to?" His voice held a mild interest, like he was asking only to be polite, to make small talk with her. It saddened her.

"I hope so…someday. I haven't found…I don't think I have found the right man yet." She was, in fact, sure she hadn't: her relationship with Simon had been fizzling out even before this trip and now that it was very likely he was dead she'd have to start all over again with someone else. The one good thing about her relationship with Simon had been the establishment, the security brought on by a long time with the same person, the fact they knew each other inside and out. Getting to that point with someone else seemed lightyears away at that moment.

"Well, I'm sure you will. Want more coffee?"

Briefly she wondered if there was anyone new in his life at the moment, after his wife and came to the conclusion there had to be: a man with John's looks and caring nature was unlikely to be single for long.

"Elizabeth?"

"Hmm?" She snapped out of her thoughts and found him looking at her with a raised eyebrow. "No, thanks. I'm good."

A small smile graced his lips but he refrained from commenting on her drifting away, instead removing the kettle and throwing another branch of wood into the fire.


When he caught her crying later that evening, she knew her time was up.

She had tried to be discreet about it, to make sure he had dozed off after their dinner before giving in to the tears that had been threatening to fall all afternoon. He had managed to fool her, however, and when she realized his eyes were open and looking straight into hers, it was already too late.

For a moment John looked shocked, like he wasn't sure what to do about her face that was glistening with tears, illuminated by the flames, or her body that was shaking with each powerful sob. Crying women weren't his forte, like most men, he found it difficult to deal with a display of emotions, especially from someone who was still nearly a complete stranger to him.

"Elizabeth?"

He sat up on the blanket and reached for her, not sure what to do with his hand until it landed on her knee. "Are you in pain?"

She shook her head, sniffing, hastily wiping away the tears.

John cleared his throat. "Listen, I realize we don't know each other yet and you probably don't trust me at all but I'm willing to listen if you want to talk about anything."

She closed her eyes briefly. "I do trust you. I owe you my life and I don't know how to thank you."

"Don't worry about that." He squeezed her knee softly. "It was my pleasure."

Elizabeth smiled through her tears. "I'm not sure if you'll hate me after I tell you what happened to me."

He frowned. "Why would I hate you?"

Another wave of tears shook her. "Because I should have done something more."

John looked puzzled. "OK, you lost me there. Something more about what?"

She took a shaky breath. "We were attacked. I…I don't know who they were but they were shooting at us and…they hit my best friend and all the others except…" She broke off and swallowed.

He was shocked, to put it mildly. "OK, so your party was shot at. Where are the others?"

"They're all dead", she whispered, staring into nothing. "My best friend died in my arms and I couldn't help her. I could do nothing but watch."

"My God", he muttered. "I'm so sorry, Elizabeth. I know you must feel horrible but out here it's nearly impossible to help a gunshot victim even if you have a doctor with you."

"We did", she said with a broken voice. "My boyfriend is…was a doctor."

"Your boyfriend was shot too?" He rubbed his face; no wonder she was so sad and distraught after experiencing those kinds of horrors.

"I don't know. I couldn't find him. I called him until my voice broke but he wasn't there. His body wasn't there on the ground with the others; I don't know where he is. There was another woman as well I didn't find but I didn't know her that well."

"So that's why you asked me if anyone had shown up at the ranch?"

She nodded.

"I'm afraid no one has; I spoke to Ronan about it. What about the horses, do you know if he managed to hold on to one?"

"I saw the one he was riding afterwards so I don't think so."

"OK." He frowned, trying to think. "I have heard of the occasional shootings on the desert, there are some people who live there and don't welcome tourists with open arms. They do sometimes take people hostage as well. The problem is I have no idea where to start looking for them."

Elizabeth wiped her tears away. "I don't really care. I know that sounds horrible but my main concern right now is to get Maria's body home to her family. Simon…I do want to know what happened to him but I owe it to Maria to concentrate on her."

"Maria? Is that your best friend?"

She squeezed her eyes shut. "Yeah. We've known each other…ever since we were kids. I can't believe she's gone."

"I'm sorry." He released her knee and reached for her hand instead. "We'll go and get her, I promise. I'll radio Ronan right now and tell him to send more men. I want you to go to the ranch in the car but I'll make sure we'll retrieve the bodies, OK?"

She nodded, smiling a little through her tears. "Thank you, John."

"Don't mention it." He gave her hand a final squeeze and got up to find the radiophone.