Hey hey Chris; many thanks for the review...I never knew you were out there. It's always great to put a name to a story hit :)

Without further ado...here's another chapter.

Kelly led Henry up the slope and over the uneven ground towards the spot where Falcone was waiting. She reached out for Henry as he stumbled, and worried immediately about what would happen if he were to injure himself. They still only had Falcone's word that Sabrina was safe. She closed her eyes briefly and tried to clear her head of the unwanted images that her mind threw up; her friend was hurt, that much was obvious, but without details she feared the worst. The memory of the scream flashed through her head again and she stiffened.

"She'll be ok," Henry whispered reassuringly.

She glanced at him and saw only an expression of concern on his face. She'd thought that she was doing a good job of keeping her feelings in check, but Henry had seen right through her.

"I'm sorry," she apologised.

"Don't be. I've hidden from things all my life; it's about time I stood up and took what was coming to me."

She wanted to say something to him, but knew that nothing would make him feel any better.

They climbed the rest of the way in silence; the heat of the day making them both feel uncomfortable.

Falcone had retreated to the cool shade offered by the white stone building. He was leaning up against the wall; his gun still aimed at Kris who had no such protection from the unrelenting sun. He nodded in greeting as Kelly and Sullivan moved to the designated spot.

"Henry Sullivan..." Falcone rolled the words out slowly. "It's been a long time."

"Not long enough from where I'm standing," Henry puffed as he struggled to regain his breath.

Falcone allowed himself a smile. "Don't forget that you still need something from me," he reminded the man. "Be careful what you say."

Henry gestured towards the two angels. "This has nothing to do with either of them."

"I disagree, they've done nothing but get themselves involved in this, and now they have to deal with the consequences."

"I don't know about you, but I need to sit down...preferably somewhere in the shade."

Falcone appeared to consider the request for a moment before agreeing. "Very well. Follow me."

Falcone led the way into the cafe, but not before telling Kris and Kelly to remain where they were.

Henry followed Falcone into the building; his eyes widening in surprise as he took in the small table and two chairs that were placed in the middle of the otherwise abandoned room.

"You always did like to plan ahead," Henry admitted grudgingly as he lowered himself down onto one of the seats.

Falcone smiled and took his own seat; his gun never wavering from its target.

"Where is it? … and don't play the fool with me Sullivan; you know what I'm talking about."

Sullivan shrugged his shoulders. "I don't know what happened to the manifest," he replied softly. "You could say that my priorities changed after the crash. Money suddenly didn't seem all that important."

"I'm not buying that Sullivan, you were a hopeless gambler back then, and that's not something you just lose."

"The manifest wasn't loaded onto the plane that much I know. Ward's advisors were very jumpy about the whole issue."

"You lie."

"What would be the point?"

Falcone shook his head. "I will have what I am owed."

"You'll have nothing."

"I think you are forgetting something. You want another death on your conscience?"

"She's got nothing to do with this."

"Oh but she does now. First she dies and then there's your estranged family. I can kill you a hundred different ways Sullivan. You won't have the army to protect you."

"You are wasting your time Falcone; I have nothing for you."

Falcone shook his head. "You have people running around making sure that no-one can get anywhere near you. You have some government lackey dogging every move that you make. That doesn't come cheap Henry...Why couldn't you have just taken the hint and remained silent? I'd almost forgotten all about the money you owed, but then you had to break your word and kick up a stink... didn't you. You just had to remind me what I'd promise I'd do if you were ever to break your word."

Henry slammed his hand down on the table. The action causing Falcone to flinch; he'd not been expecting such a response from the man.

"I was never planning on saying anything. I was never going to say a word about the flight."

"Don't lie to me Henry; it made the papers. What was that rather trite headline they used?"

"That wasn't what it was about," Henry protested, but Falcone wasn't about to let him continue.

"You owe me Henry and one way or another you will pay."

The air inside the metal trailer was stifling. The sun was beating down upon the container's surface; heating the metal and the contents within.

Sabrina was struggling to keep her eyes open, her mind drifting away from the situation she was in and telling her only that she was tired and needed to rest. She'd been fighting the feeling for sometime but now she was starting to forget why it had been so important. The thumping pain in her head hadn't ceased and any movement seemed to send a fresh rush of pain through her body. Perhaps it was best to sleep; perhaps it was best to just drift away and forget about the pain for a few moments. Her head nodded forward and she felt as though she didn't have the strength to lift it again. She could feel the perspiration as it trickled down her face. She screwed her eyes up in an attempt to shift it but it just pooled and stung her eyes. It was too much effort to open them again; better to just let sleep take her.

Without warning, the door to the container was thrown open and light poured in through the gap. Sabrina felt her eyes protest, but welcomed the subtle cooling of the air. It was well over 30 degrees outside, but still that felt cooler when compared to the heated stale air she was currently breathing.

Perhaps this was a rescue; perhaps this was the end of the pain.

Any small sense of hope died the moment that she heard Jarek call out to her in greeting; his words making their way through the fog in her mind. She automatically shrank back against the wall; a movement that did not escape him.

"Do not worry," he told her warmly. "This won't be a long visit."

He pulled the container's door so that only a narrow path of light splayed across the floor and then made his way towards her.

"Mr Falcone told me to leave you here. Told me that you were more trouble than you were worth."

The words made little sense...She knew that she feared this man, but she couldn't remember why.

Her brain shifted gears abruptly as her head snapped to one side; a fresh sense of heat flaring across her cheek.

"...listening...You paying me the attention that I deserve?"

She struggled to understand what he was saying. She had to listen. She had to stay conscious.

His fingers brushed against her right wrist and she heard him tut in disapproval. "What is this?" he rubbed his fingers together in front of her face; her blood evident. "You really think that you have the strength to break the cuffs? You are wasting your time...If you want me to break your other wrist you only have to ask."

Her eyes were fixed on his fingers; mesmerised by the sight of her own blood. Was that the reason her right wrist was aching so much? She had thought it was the tightness of the metal band; was it really her own actions that had caused the damage? She was drifting away again, but Jarek reached forward and grabbed her throat, forcing her head back.

"Falcone tells me to leave you here. Tells me that if he doesn't call then I am to leave you here. It is not the easiest of deaths, but you have your friends to thank."

Jarek's words worked their way into her brain and she moistened her lips, trying to come up with a reply. "They are meeting Falcone?" It was little more than a whisper, but she finally managed to force the words out.

"They are."

Sabrina relaxed; a half-smile ghosting across her face.

Jarek shook his head. "You do not understand. They are late. They have not met the conditions that Falcone laid down. Your life is forfeit."

When Sabrina's expression didn't change; suspicion took hold. "What is that pleases you? You are not safe..." He paused and an idea struck him. "They are planning to trap Falcone?"

Sabrina remained silent. Jarek swore impatiently beneath his breath and released his hold on her throat. She tried to pull away in an effort to protect herself but there was little she could do. Jarek grabbed hold of her broken wrist and she screamed. He immediately clamped a hand over her mouth.

"I ask a question and you answer." He looked directly into her eyes as she struggled ineffectually beneath his grip. "You understand me?"

Unable to speak Sabrina nodded her assent.

"That is better. I ask again. They are planning to trap Falcone?"

He removed the hand that was covering her mouth, but kept hold of her wrist, squeezing it gently when she was slow to answer.

Sabrina fought to control her breathing, sucking in a breath as Jarek increased the pressure on her wrist. "Just a guess," she panted, trying to blink away the tears that were now running freely. "It's what I'd do. Falcone can't win."

"What makes you so very sure?"

Sabrina pressed her lips shut; determined to say nothing, but Jarek simply wagged a finger in front of her face. "Must you make everything so hard for yourself? No-one likes a martyr you know." He increased the pressure on her wrist and was rewarded with another scream.

"I can keep this going until you lose consciousness, but then you already know that." He leant a little closer. "Tell me what it is."

Sabrina gave the slightest shake of her head and Jarek sighed. "Very well. Since you are so determined, what say that I make you a little promise. When we are done here I will seek out your friends and I will do to them what I planned to do to you? How does that sound?"

He smiled at the way that she tensed. "I thought that might get your attention. Now...tell me."

Sabrina met his impassive gaze, and knew in that one look that he meant everything that he said. "Falcone will get nothing from Sullivan."

"Oh no?" there was a trace of amusement in Jarek's voice. "I think you underestimate Falcone's powers of persuasion."

"Falcone cannot beat death," Sabrina whispered, her strength beginning to fail again in the heat. "Sullivan is dying. Falcone will get nothing from him." She raised an eyebrow. "If your payment depends on the outcome of that particular deal; I'd be making new plans."

Jarek looked at her for a moment or two, trying to decide if she was lying or not.

"Perhaps it is time I left." Jarek smiled at Sabrina, completely unmoved by her obvious distress. "I came back here because we had unfinished business you and I. I was going to deal with business; a man has his reputation to protect. But in light of your help...perhaps I owe you a small chance at life." He paused. "You remember what I told you at the apartment? Back when you were nothing but collateral?" The smile widened. "Don't think I forget. Our paths cross again and I will kill you. Live through this... and I will find you."

Sabrina looked at him through narrowed eyes. The look of indifference on his face unnerved her. She tried to blank out the pain that was radiating from her wrist. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he'd hurt her.

Jarek released his hold on her wrist and cupped her face with his hands, his thumbs wiping away the tears that were still streaming from her eyes.

"You think this hurts? Just wait until our paths cross again. Then I will take the time to teach you about real pain."

She tried to shy away from him, but he'd anticipated her move and held her firm. Saying nothing more he leant forward and placed a kiss on her forehead before releasing her and standing up. He turned to leave and then stopped, as though remembering something.

Pushing one hand into his pocket he removed the small key to the handcuffs. "I think perhaps I should give you this. Don't want you to think that I'd leave you without a fair chance of escape." He looked down at her and then stepped back a pace, judging the distance before dropping the key on the floor.

"There. All you need to do is reach it."

Her eyes followed him as he made his way to the door. He paused on the threshold and turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers for a few moments before he broke the contact and left; the door clanging shut as he departed.

As he finally disappeared from sight, Sabrina leant her head back against the metal wall of the container and tried to regain control of her emotions. Each heaving breath caused fresh waves of pain to radiate through her ribcage. She glanced at the patch of ground where he'd left the key; knowing full well that it was just out of her reach. She pulled angrily on the cuffs that were tight around her right wrist, but there was no chance of the metal support giving.

The key to her freedom was just out of her grasp. Even if she could reach it, there was precious little she could do with the state that her left wrist was in. The cry she let out was borne of pure frustration. There was nothing she could do.

Outside the container, Jarek listened to the cry and allowed himself a smile.