Dedicated to all the Chryedians – hoping they get some more meaty stories lines soon.

Many thanks for the reviews they are really appreciated.

The Abyss, Chapter 3

Christian and Jane stared at the note, willing it to say more. He tried phoning Syed only to hear his phone ringing from its discarded position under the bed.

"We have to find out where they are – I wonder if Masood knows anything?" said Jane

Christian snorted "I know you are still friends Jane, but if he did he certainly wouldn't tell me?"

"No, but he might tell me … actually we are a little bit more than just friends."

Christian looked at the smirk on Jane's face and his eyebrows shot up at this revelation. "Well you're a dark horse aren't you, what is it – do you think there is some magnetic attraction between the Clarke's and the Masoods!"

He wanted details, most of all he wanted something to be able to retaliate against the next inevitable onslaught from Zainab, but it could wait. Sy was the priority so Jane set off in search of Masood and Christian phoned Tamwar.

Christian opened the drawer and pulled out some paper and started to write:-

Dear Sy,

I got your note and I do trust you – but I am frightened for you and I miss you so much. I don't trust Qadim to keep you safe so Jane and I are coming to find you. I don't know how or when – but I know we are destined to be together again.

Right now I am going out to face Walford – I am going to keep the appointments you made for me and tell all the doubters out there that you have just gone for a visit and will be back soon. If I have to face up to you mother, I will tell her she is kidding herself is she thinks you have gone for good. I will put on my bravest face, if anyone ever tells you that I didn't care that you had gone – you will know the truth – that I have faith in you, I have faith in us.

Love C.

He folded the letter, put it into an envelope, sealed it and wrote on the front 'Syed Day 1' and hid it at the back of the drawer. He then dressed for work, strode out into the square with his head held high and went to meet his first client. There were plenty of looks and whispering from the residents of the square but it was Roxy who first spoke to him between clients. "Is it true? Has Syed left you?"

"No," he said firmly "it is not true – but he has gone to see Amira because he found out she is pregnant after all."

When his clients were finished he met with Jane, Roxy and Tamwar. A less likely grouping for a Council of War he couldn't imagine but he was touched to know that there were people who cared. They shared information and strategies – Tamwar agreed to check out any details he could get about Qadim and his businesses, Roxy suggested since Amira was pregnant she must be going to pre-natal clinics and offered to find out more. Jane reported that neither Masood nor Zainab knew about a pregnancy. Zainab had simply had a text from Amira to say she and Syed were going to give their marriage another try.

Christian was more frightened than ever – what if the baby didn't exist, what if it was a ruse, what if Qadim had hurt Syed. He considered calling in the police, but they were hardly going to investigate a grown man who had voluntarily walked out on him. He suddenly felt hopelessness wash over him – all this talk, but there was nothing they could do.

"Christian", said Jane "When Lucy went missing you found a private detective – maybe we should contact him again."

It was worth a try – so they went their separate ways and resolved to keep in touch and meet up later.

Having spent an hour with the Private Detective Christian felt a little better – it was frightening how much that someone who knows how can find out about people. The detective was going to check out some known addresses of Qadim, Christian wanted to go too – but he was having none of it.

Apart from the fact it was unethical and dangerous to have an emotionally charged Christian alongside him; he was hardly likely to blend into a crowd!

So Christian returned home for a second night alone in their flat, which suddenly seemed cold and unwelcoming. His resolve to stay brave wavered and he once again sought the comfort of Syed's shirt, breathed in his scent and succumbed to a tearful, troubled sleep.

Miles away in a small cottage, hidden from the curious outside world by a large wall topped with barbed wire, Syed stirred the hot milk into the chocolate and went through to the bedroom where Amira lay. He handed her the cup and kissed her cheek, patting her swollen stomach.

"Not long now." He said.

"Thanks Babe, the sooner the better as far as I am concerned, I feel like a beached whale."

"You look beautiful." he said truthfully. He smiled as he withdrew to the small living room and knelt to pray.

He prayed for forgiveness, for his parents, for Amira, for Tamwar, for Shabnam, for the baby, for Christian but most of all he prayed for deliverance. When he finished he stripped to his boxers and crawled into the makeshift sofa bed. Reaching down he rifled through his bag and pulled out Christian's grey sweatshirt. He buried his face into the soft comforting fabric and cringed at his last memory of him, with the wounded and worried plea in his eyes. Was he OK? Had he found the note? Would Qadim leave him alone? Would he ever see him, hear him or touch again?