'Tell me what happened, old man!'

Dom took a hasty breath before his head was pushed back under the freezing cold water; the shock of it driving the precious oxygen from his lungs almost immediately. He'd been subjected to the water treatment for what seemed like an eternity; his upper body was soaked to the skin, shivering.

He started to flail weakly as the need for air became critical and his head was yanked back out of the water. He gasped harshly and felt the darkness descending again…

'Hey! I was wondering when you were going to show up.' Dom gave a delighted smile as he greeted Alan who limped into the hospital room took up a chair next to Dom's bed.

'How are you doing?' Alan asked.

'A few bruises.' Dom shrugged. 'I'll heal.'

'Dom…' Alan began apologetically.

'Al, it wasn't your fault.' Dom waved the apology away. 'You weren't to know what would happen.'

'I should have done.' Alan said. 'They killed my father.'

'That FBI guy Dawson said you'd got a confession?'

Alan nodded. 'Sallis will get time.'

'Oh?'

'He's made a deal.' Alan said bitterly. 'He offered up Angelo and they accepted it.'

'I'm sorry, Al.'

Alan nodded. 'At least he'll do some time for killing…' his voice broke as for the first time since he'd heard the news the awful reality of his father's death hit him; tears sprang to his blue eyes. He blinked them back helplessly.

'Al.' Dom offered his bandaged hand; the only comfort he could in his weakened state.

Alan took hold of it as the grief swamped him. Eventually he squeezed the other man's hand and let go to swipe at his tears. 'Sorry for blubbering all over you.' He muttered self-consciously.

Dom shrugged. 'I did the same to you when Lilah ran off with my daughter.'

Alan nodded again. 'I'm heading home; they're releasing me.' He hesitated. 'Dawson's offered us protection.'

Dom read the intent in the other man's eyes. 'You're taking him up on it?'

'I have Jane, the boys and whoever else is coming along to think about, Dom.' Alan said. 'The Cordelli's are bound to retaliate. I can't risk my family.'

'No, of course not.' Dom murmured his heart sinking. He tried for a smile; failed. 'I'm going to miss you all like hell.'

'I thought Dawson was going to offer you…'

'He did.' Dom assured him. 'But, honestly, I'm not going to matter much in the trial. I don't know who grabbed me; I was wearing a blindfold and beyond the beginning to be honest I don't really remember much of it.' He gave a grunt of laughter. 'I don't think the Cordelli's will be bothered with me.'

Alan sighed. 'I'm going to miss you.' He cleared his throat and his blue eyes met Dom's with a serious intent. 'Dom, if something happens to me before I can get this protection thing arranged…'

'Alan…'

'Please, Dom.' Alan held up his hand. 'This is important.' Tears gleamed in his eyes again. 'You have to promise to look after Jane and the boys. I know Jane has her brother, and she's convinced he'll come right one day but I…I'd be happier knowing you were there for them.'

'I promise, Al. I'll look after them.' Dom nodded solemnly. 'You have my word.'

Alan gave a relieved sigh. 'Thanks, pal.'

'Do you…do you know how it'll be done?' Dom asked.

'The less you know the better, Dom.' Alan said. 'I don't want anyone coming after you thinking you might know where we are or anything…'

Dom nodded. 'I guess it's for the best. Will I see you again?'

Alan smiled. 'I hope so.' He held out his hand and Dom clasped it firmly. 'You're the best friend I've ever had, Dom.'

Dom swallowed the lump in his throat. 'Same goes.'

'Take care.' Alan released him and Dom watched him walk out of the hospital room.

It was the last time he'd seen Alan Hawke. Two weeks later, Dom had been released from the Florida hospital and he'd flown home. He'd arrived back in LA to the news that Jane and Alan had died in a tragic boat accident the day before; that the boys had been rescued and were in hospital injured. He'd raced to their sides.

The corridor of the children's ward had been painted with a rainbow and cartoon animals as though to add some cheer to the stark white walls. Dom hurried to the room the nurse had indicated and knocked at the door. He peeked inside. The room was dark except for a single night-light; it was past midnight. He crept in. He'd just stay until they woke up. There was a sudden movement.

'Dad?' String's voice weak and hoarse whispered out from the bed to his left.

Dom padded over. 'It's me, String. Uncle Dom.' He patted the thin shoulder.

'I thought you were…' Even in the dim light Dom could see the tears trickling down the boy's face. 'They said Mom and Dad were gone.'

'I know, String, I know.' Dom sat on the bed and pulled the kid into his arms as he started sobbing.

'It was my fault.' String cried. 'The storm came in and I went overboard. It was my fault.'

'Hush now. It wasn't your fault.' Dom assured him. 'It wasn't your fault. It was just a horrible accident.' He hoped.

He glanced as another movement caught his eye; Saint John slipped out of the other bed. The older boy walked over and climbed onto the bed, wrapped his own arms around his brother's back. They all held each other until String fell into an exhausted sleep. Dom eased the kid back down onto the pillows and Saint John softly brushed the hair back from his brother's face.

'It wasn't his fault. His line broke.' Saint John said quietly. His young eyes met Dom's with an adult wisdom. 'I'll stay with him.'

Dom nodded. 'I'll be just outside if you need me, kid.'

Saint John nodded.

Dom left the room silently and sat, collapsed, into the plastic seat outside the door. He covered his face with his hands.

'Santini.'

Dom's head jerked up. Dawson stood in front of him in an ill-fitting suit and crumpled overcoat. He met the agent's brown eyes angrily. 'I thought you were supposed to be protecting them!'

'We were.' Dawson snapped. 'We had it set up; Alan Hawke was supposed to meet us by boat in the ocean; we'd scupper their boat and take them all to a new life. With the approaching storm, it would look like the whole family just drowned at sea.'

'So what went wrong?' Dom demanded.

'The storm.' Dawson said succinctly. 'It came in faster than we expected.'

'So Jane and Alex are really lost?' Dom felt the last of his hope die.

Dawson gestured at the door. 'Are the kids OK?'

Dom nodded. 'Bruises and scrapes mainly.' He gave a humourless laugh. 'And God only knows what emotional scars.'

'I'm sorry, Santini.' Dawson said. 'For your loss.'

'Just make sure Al gets his deal, Dawson,' Dom said, 'and put the son of a bitch away.'

Dawson nodded solemnly. 'See you, Santini.'

Dom watched the FBI agent walk away until he disappeared. He glanced at the closed door beside him. He'd promised Al he'd look after his boys; he wouldn't let his old friend down…

'He's not going to tell us anymore.' The words seemed to come from a long distance away like he was hearing them through a distorted telephone line, Dom thought dimly.

'Yeah. He really doesn't know the truth. How about that? Thought the two of them were thick as thieves.' Another older, gruffer voice from the one who'd questioned him. Familiar. Sallis! Had he been there all along? 'Well, he's got what he deserves for his part at least.'

'Ready the boat. We'll dump him in the sea at first light.' Another voice…how many were there?

Dom's survival instinct roused sluggishly; he had to get up, he had to move…he tried and moaned weakly. He was hurt; he was hurt bad. He wasn't going anywhere…String…no! The kid couldn't get involved with this nightmare…he'd promised Al…so this was it; Dom thought groggily, this was his time…