Just to yet again say thank you to all who stick with me on this fic - i travel the world of fiction through many corridors and find many friends... you know who you are... I thank you all for your reviews... Carla ...thank you ... it's been a long year!

Sabrina ran down the corridor after Chafey and as he rounded the corner ahead of her, she heard Kris shout a warning to the him from the opposite direction. A shot immediately followed and echoed around the high ceilings and bare walls and her heart lurched sickeningly in fear. Was Kris okay…? Sabrina slowed a little as she reached the corner that Chafey had disappeared round, careful not to give too much away. It was then that she heard Kris repeat her warning to him, and Sabrina let out a little sigh, hoping that Kris was keeping her head down. She crept up to the corner and was just about to squeeze around and stop Chafey in his tracks when a second shot pierced the air and a crash of exploding glass followed. Again, Sabrina's heart felt like it was exploding through her chest, as she jumped around the corner into the room, to aid her friend. She pulled her revolver up quickly out of harms way when she saw Kris rooted to the spot, shaking, arms still extended in a firing position, her face like chalk. She glanced at the window, realising that Kris had shot Chafey clean through it. But as her searching eyes settled back on Kris, Kris crumpled to the polished floor and Sabrina saw blood for the first time, as Kris slumped onto her side, then rolled helplessly onto her back. Sabrina swallowed a gush of nausea and raced over to Kris.

"Kris! Oh God Kris no!" Sabrina whispered as saw the bullet wound on the right of her chest. She pushed her hand hard over the wound and yelled out Kelly's name, desperate for help. She heard her voice scream Kelly's name twice more and then she looked down at Kris, as she tried in vain to stem the bright red fluid leaking in rivulets from Kris's torn chest. Kris's pained blue eyes looked back at Sabrina in fright and anguish, and Sabrina gently lifted Kris's head and cradled it in her free hand.

"Kris, oh Kris, you're gonna be okay, Kris…please…hold on…just hold on okay?" She couldn't tear her own eyes away from Kris's, as she silently begged an almighty to help in any way possible. But no-one came to help. No one. Not Kelly. Not Bosley. No-one. Sabrina could only hear her own sobs escaping her lips and feel warm blood seep sickeningly through her fingers as she held Kris's wavering gaze until helplessly, incredulously, shockingly, she watched Kris's once-bright dancing light go out of her trauma stricken eyes.

A muffled yell escaped her puffy lips and an involuntary spasm pushed to jerk her body upwards, but there was very little strength and her head dropped back onto the pillow without a fight. She was soaked in sweat and yet felt shivers coursing down her moist spine. She was too late! Oh God she was too late, too late… she swallowed but nearly choked on her dry throat. She gagged, but managed to keep the nausea down. The images clung to her mind, a persuasive haunting spectre of reality, holding her under their influence, pressing her consciousness down and holding it prisoner as she struggled to find her reason. She gasped and inhaled, breathing in deep breaths of oxygen to try slow her erratic heartbeat. Kris, oh Kris I'm sorry I'm so sorry I was too late too late …. Her mind reeled and memories crashed and buckled into each other, trying to make sense of reality and … something else? Finally, the reality wore a tear in the images and seeped through, floating into her consciousness like soothing snowflakes finally released from the heavens, bringing with it, utter and incomparable relief. Sabrina gulped and sobbed, her tears, hot and unstoppable, finding no resistance as they trickled down her sweat-bathed face. She clenched her left hand, the memory of blood still warm there. She moved the offending hand and wiped it across the bed sheets, needing to completely erase the life-slipping feeling that lingered there. She breathed more deeply, her heartbeat steadying, and stared up at the white tiled ceiling, trying to make sense of the nightmare. Her logical mind reviewed the scene, as horrifying as it was. Kris was never shot. Chafey had no chance because Kris was sharper. She knew that. Kris is okay, Sabrina tried to tell herself. Isn't she? A fresh prick of fear stabbed through her consciousness, her heart fluttering once more, and she forced her mind to work backwards, to when she was assaulted. She felt the blows, but pushed past that pain, mentally reaching for the reason as to why she was alone in the parking lot. A hazy darkness still obscured this memory and Sabrina closed her eyes, trying to fish through the darkness, almost catching something tangible… but it was gone again, the darkness surrounded these memories with shapeless tendrils and held them captive still. For now. She opened her eyes and sighed deeply. She needed a drink of water. And then she would try to sleep again. She felt pain, but was reluctant to lose this tentative grip on her thought processes with more pain relief. Sabrina reached with her good arm and pressed the buzzer for help.

Bosley and Kris quickly found a hotel down the west side of Heavenly Mountain… it was a popular winter snow resort and there was no shortage of places to stay. Bosley booked them in at the desk and a porter showed them both to their rooms. They were travelling light, the young porter noticed. Probably another older guy hitting on his secretary, he thought, amused. These 'couples' never ceased to amuse him. As he showed Kris into her room, he winked at her slyly.

"Enjoy your stay… ma'am!" He commented, his voice heavy with meaning, pushing the door open. He paused and lingered, waiting for a generous offering. The meaning wasn't lost on Kris. She looked back at him with a beguiling smile.

"Thank you… enjoy your tip." She replied sweetly, shutting the door in his face. The porter scowled at the door in a small temper, before turning and stomping off down the corridor, feeling very much affronted, his vigorous walking having only a slight audible impact on the over-used hotel carpet.

Kris sighed as she walked further into the room, and dumped her belongings on the bed. She then sat down on the edge of the bed and pushed her shoes off with each foot and stretched her toes out, relishing the feeling of release. It had been a long day. She really needed a hot shower and some sleep, but she had to go over to Bosley's room and discuss their next course of action. But first, she was going to call the hospital in L.A. She flipped a glance over her shoulder and saw the phone on the small chest of drawers next to the bed. She edged up the bed and took the receiver up to her ear and dialled reception.

"Oh Hi, I'd like to place a call to Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles please…..thank you….." Kris waited while her call was connected.

"Oh hello, I'm calling to check on Sabrina Duncan, room 302.…yes….yes it's Sabrina Duncan, room 302...Yes I'm family…." Kris again felt the need to lie, but there was nothing else she could do. All she wanted was some good news. She waited while the nurse checked her patient records, pangs of guilt coursing through her that she wasn't there to be at her friends side. But this was the nature of the job, she reminded herself. Yet….the guilt remained. Sabrina was alone. No-one was around to be there for her. Kris felt ashamed.

"Miss Munroe?" The nurse interrupted her thoughts.

"Yes, sorry, I'd like to know how …how Sabrina Duncan is doing please?"

"Well… Miss Duncan is making a little progress in that she is awake more often… but she is going to need…" the nurse seemed to pause for appropriate words "… a certain amount physical care and therapeutic help …"

Kris immediately thought back and found herself back at Sabrina's bedside, seeing the terrible beating her friend had taken.

"Y-yes, yes of course. Please, can you pass a message to her? Can you tell her that her friends will be back with her tomorrow and we love her so much!"

The nurse promised she would pass the message then Kris hung up, even more ashamed of herself. She knew she was not going to get back to Sabrina tomorrow, but at least she would make sure Bosley went back. Sabrina deserved more than this, she realised. She dialled reception again, but this time, placed an international call.

Bosley tried to calm himself by reading the hotel tourist blurb placed conveniently on the chest by his bedside, but realised he was too agitated to do so. Kris was taking her own sweet time. He decided to call Charlie in her absence.

He placed the call, then waited for the connection, drumming his fingernails on the not too expensive wooden surface of the chest of drawers. It gave him a chance to examine is fingernails. He needed a manicure when this was all over, he decided. He wasn't a vain person at heart, but there was a certain appearance that one had to upkeep. He realised with some chagrin that his words seemed to echo that of his predecessor, Woodville. Bosley briefly wondered how Woodville was doing these days.

"Bosley?"

Charlie's voice, calming and refined, pulled him back from his thoughts.

"Charlie…we've found Kelly."

"That's excellent news Bosley…but something tells me you're not quite as exuberant as I would have anticipated…."

"No Charlie… there's a big fly in the ointment… a very big fly called …"

Bosley didn't even need to finish his sentence because Charlie finished it for him.

"Alexandra Limardo?"

Bosley sighed. "Exactly!"

A knock then came at Bosley's door.

"Just a minute Charlie, I think Kris is here…" Bosley placed the receiver on the patterned bedspread and walked across to his room door.

"Who is it?" He enquired.

"It's Kris, Bosley…open up."

Bosley acquiesced.

"What took you so long Kris? I'm just on the line to Charlie…!" Bosley strode back over to the bed and picked up the receiver.

"Sorry Charlie, Kris is here now."

"Alright Bosley…you tell me what you know, and I'll fill you in on any blanks."

Kris sat in an occasional chair, whilst Bosley perched himself on the side of his bed and proceeded to inform Charlie of their findings so far.

After thirty minutes of intense conversation between herself, Bosley and Charlie, it was clear that Charlie now knew as much as they both did - or vice versa. What they did not know however, was anything about Brother Marcus, let alone sisters John and Clayton.

Charlie hung up, with the promise to be back in touch with them promptly with as much information as possible. The other issue that Kelly had mentioned, was the situation regarding drug manufacture - possibly cocaine - and the distribution of which, obviously had something to do with Alda Limardo's death. This avenue, Charlie had also promised to investigate. Bosley sighed and stood up off the bed, rubbing his chin.

"Kris, this is all getting very weird…" He said, loosening his tie knot around his neck, pulling the material loose and unbuttoning his collar, to allow himself a small freedom within the confines of the room.

"Bosley." Kris cut in, feeling anxious about a lot of things. She stood up and walked over to Bosley.

"I called the hospital in L.A. before I came here to your room." She looked into Bosley's eyes, searching out and finding the compassion she knew was hiding there.

"How is Sabrina?" Bosley responded, feeling in himself, a sudden rush of some shame that he hadn't found the time to call the hospital himself. But then, Charlie was usually on top of these things. Again though, he shook himself mentally. He should NOT be leaving it all up to Charlie. Kris saw his agitation and placed her hand on his arm, trying to calm his emotions.

"Sabrina is coming through, Bosley… - it's okay!" Kris gave him a warm smile of comfort. But…." Kris hesitated before Bosley, her rock in this current case. He immediately caught on to Kris's obvious anxiety.

"Kris - what? Tell me - is it Sabrina?" He pursued, worriedly. Kris looked into his caring brown eyes and yielded to the truth.

"Bosley - we both know Bri needs us - one of us at least…she's on her own, down in L.A." Kris struggled to hold Bosley's gaze.

"I know, Kris! But I don't know what else we can do right now!"

Kris heard Bosley's own anxiety and pressed on.

"I have to go help Kelly, Bos!" Kris said, her voice cracking, giving away the fact that her heart was so very divided. She wanted so much to be with both Sabrina and Kelly right now, but logic dictated that she could only be beside one of them… only logic and strategy dictated that Kris needed to break in to Kelly's world and help her crack this case and get Limardo off their backs, so that they could all be there for Sabrina.

Bosley nodded his head and sighed. "We'll wait to hear from Charlie in the morning, then we'll take it from there. Now I suggest we both get some rest." He looked at Kris and saw the strong young version of Jill pushing through the youthful looks of the younger sister and he knew Kris was right. One of them needed to be around for both Sabrina and Kelly. He smiled.

"Goodnight Kris."

Kris gave Bosley an impromptu affectionate kiss on his cheek before bidding him goodnight and retiring to her own room.

Ten forty, Bosley checked his watch for the umpteenth time that morning. Restless didn't even get close. Kris was downstairs in the lobby, checking them both out of the hotel. They were returning Bosley's room key on the way out, after Charlie's call. Bosley knew Charlie had a good deal of information to check up on, yt he still felt as though they were getting nowhere fast. He took a sip from his cooling coffee, needing to feel useful, but at this present time, feeling so very - well - useless! He remonstrated with himself. All part of the job Bosley, all part of the job! Even so, when things were getting close to the edge for the angels, it never stopped him worrying. He wondered - not for the first time - if Charlie worried as much as he himself did. Or did he allow the trappings of his lifestyle let him get carried away sometimes? No! Stop it John! Bosley then felt ashamed for thinking such thoughts. Charlie was a good, caring, thoughtful man. He was the best boss he had ever worked for in his life! It was just times like these… when he himself felt at a loss…

A sharp knock at his door thankfully took him away from his negative thought processes and he crossed the room and let Kris in.

"Charlie called yet?" Was Kris's first question. Bosley grimaced.

"Not yet Kris… there must be a lot for Charlie to cover today." He took in Kris's cool demeanour and wondered how the opposite sex seemed to be able to look so in control when things weren't going to plan. Again, he realised, that wasn't the first time he'd wondered that. Kris took Bosley's thoughtful expression as a sign he was just wondering how long Charlie would be. She wandered over to a chair and sat down, crossing her legs and giving out a small sigh.

"Bosley - I'm going to get into the sanctuary today and I'll need you to drop me off on the way back to Sacramento."

Bosley looked at Kris doubtfully. "Why don't we wait for Charlie….see what he's come up with before we…"

"Bosley…" Kris cut in. "…whatever information Charlie comes up with… the only way we can help Kelly is by taking that information to her." She studied Bosley's worried features. "I need to do this, Bosley."

Bosley looked across at Kris, his nerves showing in the way he was adjusting his tie at the neck. Kris wasn't oblivious to the movement.

"Please, Bos, don't be mad…you know one of us needs to back up Kelly…" Kris's expression told Bosley she was having as much of a hard time in leaving Sabrina as he was in letting her.

Kris, I know that… it's just that…" A shrill telephone tone cut the conversation in mid-air and Bosley turned and swiped the receiver up to his ear.

"Bosley here?"

""Ah, Bosley, good morning, sorry for the delay! I've had a very exhausting line of investigation to take! But thankfully, it's yielded some fruitful results!"

Bosley sat down on the bed once more. "We're all ears, Charlie!" A small smile of relief touched his face.

Kris picked her chair up and brought it nearer to the conversation. Bosley held the phone at a small distance from himself, but toward Kris so they could both hear what Charlie had to tell them.

"Firstly, let me tell you a story. About a man named Markow Petrescow, who was born in Poland, to vineyard owners. Then, with the threat of the second world war looming, his family took heed of the worsening situation in Europe and moved to the US, before the Germans invaded Poland. He was raised a Catholic, and the family moved to Sacramento, part of a then religious belt of California, but upon arriving in the states, Markow Petrescow found life a very different kettle of fish over here, shall we say, and some years later, he married a non-Catholic girl. His family was, of course, quite disappointed."

Bosley listened but didn't see any connection to their case.

"I'm sorry Sir, but where is this leading to? I don't see…"

"Patience Bosley," Charlie cut in. "…patience. I don't need to give you both a history lesson, but when war broke out in Europe, it was a while before our country got involved. But when we did, there were quite a number of conscientious objectors to the draft into the armed forces. Markow Petrescow was one of these objectors."

"So, Markow was quite zealous in his faith?" Bosley chipped in.

"You could say that, Bosley. But unfortunately, his wife was not. Markow would not work in any munitions factories or would have anything to do with taking up arms against other nations, so he was sent to work in a Sanatorium to help deal with mental patients."

Bosley couldn't help but interrupt yet again. "Oh! I thought those guys went to work on the land, or work in forestry, things like that?"

"Yes Bosley, they did… they also worked in the Fire Service…but we need to concentrate on Markow right now…"

Bosley nodded solemnly. "Sorry Charlie."

"It seems that, his wife and only child, were very much targets of persecution in the neighbourhood during this time… many employers refused to employ relatives of Conscientious Objectors… and it seems this was the case for Markow's wife - she couldn't find employment to support herself and the child, and could not stand the hatred from the neighbourhood, so she took his child, left their home and went back to her parents in San Francisco."

It was Kris's turn to interrupt this time.

"So what happened to Markow - after the war, Charlie?"

"This is where we lose the thread a little, angel. When Markow was released from his service in December 1946, he obviously would have gone looking for his wife and child. But no records exist of their continued marital status and family progeny. So it was assumed that Markow never recovered his family. He suffered greatly for his faith." Charlie paused before giving his last piece of information, and Bosley and Kris exchanged uneasy glances.

"My ecumenical source tells me that Markow became a recluse and spent a lot of time outdoors in the mountains, to the west of Sacramento."

Kris and Bosley at once pieced Charlie's puzzle together. "And you think Markow Petrescow is one and the same Brother Marcus who is running this so-called 'sanctuary' here on Heavenly Mountain, Charlie?" Bosley looked across at Kris for affirmation. Kris nodded her agreement, before Charlie replied.

"It certainly looks that way, Bosley. I don't have to tell you both… Markow…Brother Marcus… is an unbalanced individual… he's lost so much…yet it seems… he still wants to gain a lot."

Bosley cast a pained glance over at Kris.

"The thing is, Charlie…Kris wants to take this information to Kelly - into Marcus's sanctuary…." He finished, doubt heavy in his voice. He fully expected Charlie to make his disagreement plain and agree with Bosley himself that this was a fool-hardy idea. But Bosley was again surprised when Charlie agreed with Kris.

"Okay, Kris…. Go ahead…but be very careful, angel… we know there are other forces at work here. Bosley…I would be very happy if you could be with Sabrina right now." Bosley nodded his head but didn't give away his reservations about the decision.

"Don't worry, Bosley…the angels are at work..." With that, Charlie hung up.