A/N - I wanted to get this chapter up today but it is a bit tense and leaves a bit of a cliff hanger, let me know what you think!

Chapter 9 –

Sam walked back through to the living room cradling her cup of coffee and she badly needed her caffeine fix as the night had been punctuated by Chloe's nightmares once again. Sam had resorted to bringing Chloe through to her room, lying close to her but it was still not enough to keep the terror at bay.

"Sam?"

"Yes sweetheart."

"What's going to happen to me? Are the police going to charge me with Jason's death?"

Sam quickly sat down on the sofa next to Chloe and looked at her, she could instantly tell how troubled Chloe was.

"I'll ring them and find out but I very much doubt that they will do anything, you did act in self defence."

"Thanks Sam."

"You know that you're staying here right? That I'm not going to send you back there?"

"What about mum?"

Sam looked seriously at Chloe and spoke firmly, trying to keep her underlying contempt for Alison away from Chloe.

"After what she exposed you to I don't think she will be in any position to argue."

"I can really stay with you?"

Sam nodded her head as she watched Chloe smile back at her, Sam leant across and kissed her on the forehead before she stood up and quietly walked through to the kitchen to make the phone call to the police.


Dylan sighed heavily as he dropped the file onto the desk, treating another drunk patient had only caused his already fragile mood to darken even more.

"Right I'm taking five minutes do not find me unless someone has a limb falling off or their heart has stopped beating."

The sarcastic tone was not lost on anyone who was listening before Dylan stomped off in search of something to eat.


So her daughter had thought that she was clever, finding out where that bitch was working but she could go one better and had found out where she was living too. The police had had the audacity to haul her off to the police station and question her about the injuries that the little liar had said that she had suffered and that they were not going to bring any charges against her for Jason's death. Her blood had literally boiled as she had traveled to Holby, not only had she lost her lover but her daughter had tarnished his reputation, killed him and was now not going to face any ramifications, well she would from her mother.


Even though it was cold Dylan didn't hesitate to head outside with his chocolate bar, sitting on the bench he looked away from the ambulance that was then arriving and carried on eating, not noticing the woman fast approaching him.


Alison spotted him immediately, she was not looking for him but he was unmistakable and he hadn't changed at all in the years since she had last seen him. Quickly she walked over gaining the element of surprise as she stood in front of him.

"Where is she?"

Alison spat the words out as Dylan jumped slightly before he frowned and looked at the woman bearing down at him, it took him a few moments but then it hit him hard.

"Alison?"

"Oh so you do remember me then! So where's that stupid wife of yours I need to see my daughter."

Dylan stood up and frowned at Alison but as he tried to take a step forward she pushed him back.

"Where is she?"

"I don't know Alison, I suggest that you speak to the police and they can get in contact with Chloe for you."

"No you're going to tell me! Are they here?"

Alison stepped forward reaching into her coat pocket as she did so she brought out a knife which shimmered in the winter sun, Dylan quickly raised his hands his voice stammering as he spoke.

"Ok let's just take it easy Alison, I'm not going to tell you anything about Chloe or Sam while you have that in your hand."

Alison shook her head firmly as Dylan noticed the sheer look of anger in her eyes.

"So they're not here then, thank you Doctor Keogh."

The sinister smile crossed Alison's face as she turned but Dylan tried to grab her arm to stop her.

"Ow!"

Alison drew the knife sharply across Dylan's arm before she ran off. Dylan bit his lip as the pain hit him, swearing in his head before he watched Alison running off, immediately his thoughts ran to Sam and Chloe's safety and he walked back towards the ED department, his left hand clasped on his right arm as he tried to stem the bleeding.


Tess was the first one to see him, the red blood immediately visible as it soaked through his pale blue shirt.

"Dylan? Zoe I need a hand here!"

Quickly Tess ran over and helped Dylan to sit down in a cubicle as Zoe arrived.

"Dylan what happened?"

"Alison Nicholls is looking for Sam and Chloe, Zoe you've got to let Sam know!"

"Ok Dylan, did she do this to you?"

"Yes she's got a knife."

Dylan growled as Tess cut his shirt away while Zoe looked at the wound.

"I'll phone the police."

"Zoe I need to go there!"

"Dylan you're not going anywhere until you've had that wound stitched up."

"Zoe!"

"Ok Dylan I'll go."

Dylan sighed as he saw Fletch and Tom walking over.

"Don't go alone Zoe."

Zoe frowned but then Tom stood beside her and she grabbed his arm.

"Come on Tom."

"What's going on Zoe?"

"I'll tell you on the way we haven't got time to waste, Tess can you phone the police?"

Zoe didn't wait for a reply as she ran out with Tom following close behind her.


Sam had failed to speak to anyone who knew anything and had just left a slew of messages which hadn't made her or Chloe feel any better. At least Chloe had fallen back to sleep after taking her medication and it also allowed Sam to rest as well but again her peace was shattered by the doorbell ringing, thinking that it was Zoe or Tom she didn't hesitate to open the door which was her first mistake.

"I had hoped that I'd never have to see you again!"

Alison snarled as she pushed Sam backwards, the unexpected contact causing her to fall against the stairs.

"Where is she?"

Sam quickly pulled herself up and grabbed Alison's arm but then the knife came out towards her.

"What do you want Alison?"

"Justice for Jason."

"I'm not going to let you hurt her Alison."

"Well I'll just have to go through you to get to her then!"

The sickening smile appeared once again on Alison's face as she lunged towards Sam, the two of them falling through into the living room before Sam's head hit the coffee table hard and she fell unconscious.

"Ah so here you are Chloe, I've missed you!"

The commotion had quickly woken Chloe up and she screamed out in horror as Sam lay on the floor unresponsive, she tried to get up but her mum was too quick and was soon on top of her with the knife at her throat.


Tom and Zoe ran towards the house, they could hear sirens approaching but neither of them waited as they saw the partially opened door. Zoe was the first one in, hesitating as she saw Sam's bloodied body on the floor, luckily Tom carried on past her and launched himself at Alison who was still on top of Chloe, pushing her off before the woman laughed and ran out of the back door.