Thanks to LaEyeball for the beta... Since nobody but La told me what they think about the last chapter I will go to my corner and cry screaming ''You all hate me!''.

Or not...;-) have a good evening folks
Lk


''Why Bri?''

Silence followed. Kelly cupped her friend's cheeks with her hands. ''Why?''

She heard Sabrina sigh. ''Do you remember Arthur Croyden?''

Kelly shook her head. ''No, why? Who is he?''

Sabrina chuckled, pulling away from her. ''You have to remember me trying to find you with the chopper though!''

''Can one possibly forget that?'' She gave her friend a forced smile. ''Croyden.'' She closed her eyes trying to remember.

''Professor Croyden.'' She pulled away even further, leaning on the headboard. ''Skier. Took some shots at Joy Vance. You replaced her on KBEX.''

''Oh, yes, yes that's right.'' She brushed her hair out of her face but didn't make a move towards Sabrina. ''The crazy who wanted the research grants for the ''cold cure''. She swallowed hard. ''I admit I really freaked out when we got into that office and saw you all strapped down like a lab rat.'' She looked up to Sabrina. ''I am glad we got there in time.''

''No.'' Her teeth ground. ''You did not.''

''What... do you mean?'' Kelly stuttered, confused.

''Sodium Thiopental. Also known as Sodium Pentothal. 'Truth Serum.' '' Sabrina said in a mechanical voice, reminding Kelly of her chemistry teacher. ''Core drug used for medical purposes.''

''Okay?''

''It loosens someone up. Technically lying is more complex than saying the truth so someone tends to not lie. But me and you Kelly... we have been trained on these substances, it doesn't affect us.''

''I know, but I still don't get what you mean-''

''Croyden knew I wasn't who I said I was. He wasn't stupid to believe that such a simple drug as this would make me answer all his questions.''

''I don't get it... though. We had to drive you to the hospital afterwards... Bri...''

''Exactly. When we got to the hospital they ran a blood test.''

''Okay?''

''Croyden... had added some other stuff in the cocktail, hoping it would work.''

Kelly's heart rate started rising. Sabrina was trying to say something here, but she couldn't quite get it. ''What... other stuff...?''

Sabrina averted her gaze. It was getting hard to focus as the hours passed. It must be three in the morning by now, she thought.

''Sabrina?'' Kelly pushed.

''Heroine for one.'' She stopped and got to her feet, starting to pace around. ''They kept me in the hospital over night. Next morning I start having hallucinations. I call Charlie and he sends me back.'' She put her hand on the back of her neck, suddenly annoyed by the heat. ''They kept me a week in rehab. It didn't work.''

''Charlie never-''

''I asked him not to.'' She sat down. ''I worked another case with you before I started seeing things again. Only thing Charlie could do was send me to see a doctor, but it didn't work either.'' She sighed. ''We had a fight, okay?'' Her hand returned to her neck. Kelly knew it was a nervous gesture Sabrina did when she was upset. ''He.. Charlie, he told me to get a couple of months off, go home, rest, sort my head out.''

''He just... hmm...''

''I know, he told you guys I was with my family. And... I am very sorry I had to lie to you.''

Kelly nodded. She sounded honest. ''What happened during these months?''

''It got really bad...I...'' Her head lowered. ''I started seeing things.'' Kelly thought about moving a bit closer now, but then something made her abandon the idea.

''I... started thinking I was crazy.'' Kelly watched her hand again, shaky, reach up to the back of her neck and drop to her side. ''After the first two weeks I couldn't fight any more.''

''You were getting withdrawal symptoms Bri...''

The taller woman lifted her open palm to stop her from talking. ''I know. You know what was worse? The seizures. I couldn't fight the seizures.''

Kelly's eyes filled with sympathy. It was her friend here, she realised. She had been feeling angry, upset but it really was her friend here, and she was raw, hurt open, and she understood, oh yes Kelly knew that right now she had to help, despite her own feelings.

''Bri...''

''The spasms.. the everything... it became too much.''

''And you started again.''

''Yes.'' She replied with her voice full of shame.

''Now?'' Kelly finally made that move towards her.

''Clean.'' Sabrina said.

''For how long?''

''A week.''

''Is this why you can't sleep?''

She nodded. ''I can't sleep, I can't eat, I am... trying to be here for you but it's not working, and I'm... I'm sorry Kelly!'' For the first time a few tears appeared in her eyes. ''I've lost control over everything... and... I don't know how... and if there is... a way out... of that... I just... see nothing... just...''

Kelly put her hand protectively on her friends shoulder. ''Hey, hey, look at me.'' Her eyebrows lowered with worry. ''You're doing a damn fine job at helping other people. Now it's time to let us -me help you.'' She squeezed gently. ''Now let go, of everything, and let us - me - help you.''

She pulled the covers away and showed her the pillows. ''Lie down, and sleep.''

''But he...''

Kelly momentarily wondered what she was talking about but then remembered. ''Look Bri. Close your eyes. It's just me in the room, nobody else. I want you to close your eyes and trust me on this.''

''You...won't-''

''I won't leave.''

''Kelly-''

''Stop talking.'' She smiled as Sabrina slowly laid down and looked up at her. ''Don't talk. Just close your eyes. We're gonna find a way to sort this out. ''

Sabrina obediently closed her eyes. She had no fight left in her anymore. ''Okay.''

Kelly smiled and pulled the thin covers over her. ''Sleep.'' She bit her lip. They had to stay together. Damn it, they were the angels! They had been working together for almost four years now and they all knew, all three of them knew that out in the field their lives were in the hands of their colleagues not Charlie, the voice over the intercom, but their fellow Angels. And they trusted each other, and they were willing to give their lives for each other. Hell this matters a lot, Kelly thought. Nobody can beat the Angels when they are united. Nobody gets left behind. She looked at her watch. It hadn't even been fifteen minutes and Sabrina was already dozing in a peaceful, deep slumber for the first time probably in a long, long time.