"No!" Frank shouted as he threw himself in front of Richard and Audrey. The bullet hit him in the stomach, propelling him backwards, Richard caught him as he fell to the ground.

Unseen by everyone Major Craig had regained consciousness and was now aiming his gun at the two Russians, he took them both out in quick succession then used his radio to call for help before he fell back to the ground.

Brabinger who had heard the shots and had come to investigate came upon a seen of carnage. The Major was laying on the ground unconscious blood coming from a shoulder wound, there were two men dead by the trees and Sir Richard was on the floor cradling his Uncle in his arms his hand over the mans stomach trying to stop the bleeding from a gunshot wound.

"Oh god, somebody get help, please" Richard pleaded pushing harder on franks stomach to slow the bleeding. But it didn't seem to make any difference the blood continued to pulse through his fingers at a steady rate. Audrey pulled her scarf off handing it to Richard who he held it against Frank's stomach.

Frank looked into Richard's eyes "I'm sorry Richard, I...I'm so sorry" he whispered

Richard shook his head "Don't talk now, you're going to be alright, you saved our lives"

Frank coughed "Least I could do...after...everything" his eyes began to close as the words left his mouth.

Richard shook him trying to keep him awake "Hold on Frank, just hold on" he pleaded tears gathering in his eyes. He knew Frank had done some awful things but the man had just took a bullet for him and Audrey, there must be some good in him.

The sound of sirens broke the silence as swarms of security men and ambulances arrived at the scene.

Paramedics came rushing over to them and started to work on Frank straight away, Audrey touched Richard's shoulder, "Darling, let them help him"

Richard stood up and moved out of the way letting the paramedics tend to Frank. His hands were covered in his Uncle's blood, the sticky feel of it between his fingers nearly made him sick.

"We're taking him now sir, if we don't he won't stand a chance" the paramedic told Richard.

They loaded frank into the waiting ambulance and drove away as Richard and Audrey were led to a security services car to follow the ambulance. Not caring about the blood Audrey grabbed his hand and held it between hers as that sat in the back of the car.

Back at the manor, Brabinger had told Mrs Poo all that had happened and had barley managed to keep the old woman from leaving to find her son. She had calmed down when he had reassured her that Richard and Audrey were both unhurt and had gone to the hospital to see what was happening with frank and would call with an update as soon as they could.

"I knew he was up to no good, he was always in trouble with someone. Lazlo always said one day he would get himself into something he couldn't get out of but he was his brother he felt responsible for him. You see Brabinger you can't choose your family"

"Very true madam" Brabinger nodded

Waiting in the corridor outside the A&E Department Richard stared at his hands, although they were now clean he could still feel the blood that had been there.

Audrey had taken him into the nearest bathroom when they had arrived at the hospital and had washed and scrubbed his hands clean. Watching her as she worked the events of the day hit Richard full force, he had come so close to losing her today his whole world had nearly been ripped from him in a single moment.

The second she had finished he pulled her to him crushing her in his embrace. Audrey buried her face in his neck, taking comfort in the feel of his pulse telling her that he was still with her, that everything was going to be alright.

"Oh darling I was so scared, I thought he was going to kill you" she breathed in his ear

"You were brilliant Audrey, you gave us a fighting chance, I'm so proud of you darling" he pulled his head back crushing his lips to hers trying to reassure himself that she was fine.

Audrey cupped his cheeks slowing the kiss down, gently pecking his lips a few more times before resting her forehead on his.

Now they sat side by side waiting for news on Frank her hand resting on his knee trying to offer him some comfort.

Major Craig had been lucky the bullet had gone straight through his shoulder a few days and he would be fine but Richard knew frank hadn't been so lucky. There had been so much blood he didn't know a human body had so much.

The door opened and a doctor came out of the room, a grim look on his face. They both stood as he came closer to them.

"I'm so sorry Sir Richard, there was nothing we could do he lost to much blood" the doctor said sadly.

Richard sank back down onto the chair, Audrey kneeled down in front of him both her hands on his knees.

"Oh darling, I'm so sorry" she said tearfully

Richard reached for her wrapping his arms around her waist as she threw her arms around him.

He buried his face in her neck trying to stop the tears that threatened to fall. He succeeded until he felt her hand in his hair then he could hold them back no longer and started to shake in her arms.

"I've got you my darling, it's alright, just let go" Audrey whispered to him.