Author's Note: I know I was slow, and I'm sorry, but as my favourite fanfic-author (her name is Robin by the way, and if you want to read a really good Harry Potter fanfic then look for Death before dishonor and Promises unbroken - this was the place of advertisment, by the way) used to say real life sometimes intervenes. I had to work a lot and I'm on to buy a flat - and there were the Olympic Games of course, where Hungary won 8 gold medals (and let's not talk about the scandal of the athletes). Hurra for the water-polo team who won today!!!!!

But I know, you aren't interested in my ramblings, so here's the fourth chapter! But first let me thank all those people who reviewed. My thanks are endless and you inspire me a lot!

Read and enjoy!

Chapter IV.

Sam walked as fast as she could and during the whole time she was continuously worrying about John.

She checked her wrist-watch in every second moment and the radio every third. The surrounding, the dark tunnel, the debris everywhere – it was absolutely depressing. It wasn't surprising that she had only negative thoughts. She could even imagine that there was nobody out there and that's why she couldn't get in touch with her colleagues. She could only guess how much damage the earth-quake caused outside!

Suddenly there was a crackling sound at her side. She immediately grabbed for the radio.

"...is there anybody? Please, ...report..."

It was Bailey's voice. He sounded distant, and Sam could understand only every second word, but still it was like music to her ears.

"Bailey... Shit!" She wanted to be quick but in the hurry she forgot to push the right button. After she had done it, she started again. "Bailey, it's Sam here."

"Sam! Thanks god! Are you O.K?"

"Yes, I am" involuntary John's words came to her mind. You could call it love, I guess. Could he be right about it? But this wasn't the moment to think about things like this. "But we need paramedics here. John is injured... and Delany."

"You found him?" and then more worriedly. "Is John all right?"

"Yes and I don't know. It doesn't look that good and I had to leave him alone for a while, but I'm going back. We are about half-way in the tunnel. Please, hurry!"

"We're on the way! Over!"

Sam switched off the radio and headed back in the direction she had come from. She wanted to be at John's side as soon as possible. Yes, she wasn't a doctor but she still could recognize a serious injury and the signs of shock. John was losing a lot of blood, definitely too much and this can be extremely dangerous even if the bullet missed every inner organ.

Sam didn't recognize her surrounding but she had to be close by now. In the darkness she could see only a few meters away, and suddenly she glimpsed the place where she had left John. The young agent was still there, but he wasn't alone anymore.

Oh, bloody hell! Sam immediately stopped and grabbed his gun.

The second figure was Delany. How could he stand there, was beyond Sam's knowledge. He looked almost dead when they had left him behind and John handcuffed him properly! All the same, the murderer was here now and towered over John holding a gun at his face... apparently it was John's own gun. The injured agent didn't move and in the darkness Sam couldn't see him properly. He might be dead as well...

Fortunately Delany was occupied with John, so he failed to notice Sam.

Sam thought, it's better if she goes closer. She wasn't the best of shooters and in this darkness she could easily miss her target, which could be fatal. She moved as quietly and as quickly as she could.

The next moment – as if on impulse – Delany turned his head and glimpsed Sam. He didn't hesitate, but immediately fired in her direction. Ever so good marksman he was this time the gods were on Sam's side. The bullet flew over her head.

In the same moment John, who was out of line of fire, acted. He dove himself forward at the murderer and the attack clearly surprised Delany. He fell backwards connecting the wall of the tunnel and most importantly it made him drop his gun.

The two men wrestled on the ground and Sam had the impression that Delany couldn't be in the best shape after his injury, because John, as weakened as he was, was at advantage at the moment.

Sam tried to target Delany but unfortunately John was in the way all the time. So, she hurried forward but she could only stand there and stare at the fighting men. She didn't dare to intervene, she was afraid of making things only worse for his partner.

John managed to pin Delany to the ground for a moment but then the criminal could free his left hand and punched in his opponent face. John rolled down of Delany's body and Sam could steal a glance at his left side that was soaked in blood. The next moment Delany was on top of John but Sam went into action as well and soon the murderer could feel the barrel of a gun at the back of his head.

„Stand up!" To Sam's surprise her voice didn't waver at all.

Delany froze – he apparently forgot that there was another agent – then stood up and raised his hands.

"Step back!" She didn't take her eyes off of the suspect's back as she asked. "John?"

"I'm fine..." he answered hoarsely but he was still lying on the ground and showed no signs of trying to stand or at least sit up.

They looked almost like some kind of modern art composition. None of them moved for what seemed to be a lifetime. Sam didn't have spare-handcuffs so she had no other option then keep Delany in check and wait for Bailey to arrive.

It couldn't be more than five minutes that went by, but Sam felt as if it was hours. The only sound was John's wheezing that seemed to clog time to time and it made Sam worry more and more.

Maybe she concentrated too hard on John, maybe she wasn't versed enough in a situation like this, or maybe Delany was too quick, but all of a sudden she was pressed to the wall and a steel grip tightened around her wrist so hard that she dropped her gun almost immediately.

She held back a scream and tried to free herself but after a moment realized that she had no chance. Delany was too strong for that and soon his hands found the way to her throat. She choked and the darkness threatened the edge of his eyesight.

When she heard the banging noise at first she thought it was only the unreality of her oxygen-deprived mind, but the clench on her neck loosened. She opened her eyes and looked in the empty eyes of Delany and in the next moment the man collapsed on the floor.

John was kneeling and he had the gun that Delany had dropped a few minutes earlier. His skin was almost grey and his eyes sunken deep.

"John..." Her voice was hoarse from worry and from strangling.

His head dropped off to his chest and his body slowly and helplessly fell to the ground.

Sam rushed to his side and looked for a pulse. It was there but weakly. Took his head into her lap.

"Hold on... please, John. Help is on the way. Hold on just a little bit longer..." And she didn't stop talking to the unconscious agent as long as few minutes later he glimpsed the light of the torches at the end of the tunnel.

"Bailey!"

Bailey was sitting on one of the several orange plastic chairs in the waiting room of the hospital and he was dozing. When Sam called his name, he jerked awake immediately.

"Sam! You should rest at home, after everything that happened today!"

"I'm okay and I was at home. I just wanted to be sure that John is all right as well."

Of course Sam could have use a good sleep, she felt drained and almost every single part in her body ached. She had a quick check-up here in the hospital, but she had no serious injuries so she was released. She went home as soon as possible because she wanted nothing more than see and hug Chloe. After that had happened she took a long and hot shower, took a taxi and came back to the hospital.

"He's still at surgery."

"This long?" Sam asked worriedly.

Bailey just nodded. "But half an hour ago a nurse came out and assured me that he is stable. However the doctors have to repair some of his veins and they had some kind of problem with his kidney."

"Oh." There was not much to say.

She took place next to Bailey and for a few minutes they sat in silence.

"He saved my life, you know. Twice" said Sam quietly.

"And I will thank him for it."

Sam looked at Bailey inquiringly. There was something strange in his voice. Was this the right moment to ask? But maybe there wasn't a right moment for a question like this.

"John told me something... and it concerns you..."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"And what was it about?"

"It is..." She sighed. What if John was wrong? She would sit here as a fool. Uh, whatever! "He told me that you have...you know... some feelings for me..."

Bailey seemed to be stunned and surprised and confused. And Sam already regretted that she had asked.

"So I guess he was wrong."

However she tried, she couldn't hide her disappointment. There was a long and awkward silence. At least Sam felt it awkward.

"No."

Sam's head jerked up at the sudden quiet word.

"No, what?"

"No, he wasn't wrong. I have feelings for you... I thought I hid them well."

"You mean...?"

"Yes. I think I might love you. I'm sorry. I understand that you don't want a relationship with a co-worker, but I swear I won't bother you with it. It won't influence anything, it hadn't so far and..."

"You are bubbling Bailey" Cut in Sam.

The man looked at her and the first time she could see his eyes. She has never seen this kind of almost-desperation on his face before.

"You don't have to be sorry. I like you too."

"What?"

"I said, I like you too. What do you think about a date."

Bailey with a slack jaw was one of the funniest things she has ever seen, and she couldn't contain herself: she broke out in a loose laugh.

AN 2: This was the last chapter of Down under, but I'm already working on the next story. I haven't forget my Charmed story either, it will be up soon, but I have a bit difficulties with one improtant scene. Thank you again for reading!