" Well, if I tell you you've got to remain calm!" Jo said firmly.

" Of course we will!" Smiled Lucy.

" I mean it. No freaking out!" Jo sighed as they all nodded fervently. " Well he's..he's…" Jo took a deep breath. " He's an escaped murderer!"

* * * * * * * *

She closed her eyes and waiting for the screaming and panic to begin but to her surprise it remained quiet in the barn. She opened one eye cautiously and quickly opened them both as everyone was sat open mouthed staring at her. " What?" She frowned, " What's wrong…what are you staring at?"

Suddenly an arm shot out from behind her and clamped itself around her throat. Jo groaned in pain as she felt someone behind her and another arm came around her waist. She tried to turn her head to see who it was, even though she knew it could only be one person. " This is becoming quite a habit!" she gasped. The others leapt to their feet. Marius standing protectively in front of Rosie just as Mark stood to shield Bertrande and Martin pushed Lucy behind him. Phillipe and Guillaume both glared at whoever it was behind Jo.

" Stay back!" a rough voice called out from behind Jo.

" Let her go!" commanded Phillipe, his voice loud and firm.

" How'd you know who I am?" the voice continued, ignoring Phillipe. The grip on Jo's neck tightening, " Tell me!" Jo gasped for air.

" I-I-I-I…" her eyes were wide in fear as she looked at the others.

" Let…her…go!" Guillaume spoke firmly with pure hatred clear in his voice. The Man tried to stand and take Jo with him but his weakness and injuries meant he could only start to back away on his knees, dragging Jo along.

" Stay where you are!" The Man warned Guillaume who had started to walk towards them.

" Please…don't do this!" Lucy cried out from behind Martin.

" Wait here…I have an idea…" whispered Martin as he headed back towards the rear of the barn.

" How far do you think you're going to get?!" Phillipe snorted.

" Far enough!" spat The Man.

" P-p-please…" started Jo.

" We heard about you on the radio!" Rosie shouted, " We're not the only ones who know who you are!" Jo felt The Man tense,

" So we're not the only ones looking for you either!" Mark added.

" Look…let her go!" reasoned Jenny. " We promise, we won't turn you in…we want to help you…"

" Somehow I don't think reasoning is going to help here!" hissed Guillaume, his expression becoming darker and darker.

" Stay back!" The Man repeated as Guillaume tried to approach once more. Jo pulled at the arm around her neck as she could feel herself getting dizzy.

" P-p-p-please…I-I-I-I-I…" she croaked. She tried to elbow The Man in the ribs but her strength was fading.

" Don't make me hurt her!" The Man's voice began to tremble and the friends knew it was now or never as they saw Jo's eyes starting to close.

" We're not making you…" Marius spoke calmly as he approached flanked by Guillaume and Marius. Martin had apparently vanished.

" Let her go. No one has to get hurt…" Phillipe's voice was calm but unmistakably strong. The Man looked around panicking, he knew he was outnumbered and he didn't stand a chance.

" How…how do I know you won't turn me in…?" He asked, still with a vice like grip on Jo.

" You'll have to trust us…like we'll trust you!" Rosie said, her brown eyes burning into his.

" I…I…" The Man started to get flustered, and suddenly a figure leapt out of the hay behind him and tackled him to the ground. Jo was flung to one side. The figure wrestled with The Man for a few seconds before he collapsed again. The figure stood up and turned to the others.

" Told you I had a plan!" grinned a ruffled looking Martin. The friends smiled broadly as they went to Jo's side. Her eyes were closed and she was struggling to breath. Guillaume scooped her into his arms and held her next to him, his eyes full of despair. He leant down and whispered in her ear,

" Veuillez ne pas me laisser… Je vous aime…Jo… s'il vous plaît… ne me laissez pas ici seul..."* he sighed as a tear slipped down his cheek. Marius hugged Rosie close to him, Mark put his arm around Bertrande as Lucy walked over to Martin and squeezed his hand.

" Je ne vais pas n'importe où... pas sans vous!"** Jo gasped opening her eyes. Guillaume's face broke into a wide smile as he hugged Jo closer. He glanced up and met Martin's eye. He smiled gently. " You saved her life…how can I…I mean…thank you…"

" No problem…" Martin smiled back as Lucy hugged him. A sigh of relief went around the group as Guillaume helped Jo to her feet. She went over and grinned as Martin.

" Thanks…" she said gently and he smiled back. Jo turned to face the others, a slight frown on her face. " And why did no one tell me that the escaped murderer was not only conscious but was knelt behind me!?" She grinned and they all laughed. Guillaume hugged Jo once more and gently stroked her neck, now red and sore. " I'm fine!" she smiled as she took his hand. " Honest!"

" Now remember…smiling faces everyone…the attempted murder never happened!" Grinned Rosie as they heard Swallow, Brat and Poor Baby coming towards the barn.

(* " Don't leave me…I love you…Jo…please…don't leave me here alone…."

** " I'm not going anywhere…not without you!")