I would just like to thank all the peeps who are reading and reviewing, I'm loving all your encouragement - and I apologise again for being unable to update previously due to technical issues! And it's really great to have new readers coming on board and being so positive with all your reviews! Thank you all so much, it really really helps, you've no idea! As this is only my 2nd fic, ever, here, I am extremely grateful to all your kind responses!

ps - sorry its a bit short - i just wanted to make up for lost time!

I also welcome SW who has revealed himself to be a bit of a court jester in his many musings in our humble CA arena. If you write your own stuff, SW - perhaps you would be so kind as to log in personally so perhaps some of us can r&r over on your 'channel'. Of course, as you know, we're a very polite bunch here - we try our best to encourage one another in the field of fiction! If you remain incognito, no problem. I hope you sincerely enjoy the rest of our fanfics here!

As Jill strode through the hospital entrance, the hairs on the back of her neck prickled for the third time since she'd arrived back in L.A. She was positive now. She was definitely being watched. Instead of taking an elevator to the third floor though, she wandered past the general reception area and headed for the large cafeteria. She bought herself a coffee and a slice of apple pie then found a seat facing outwards, noting with satisfaction, two men in dark suits, who looked as though they were checking out the menu. She sipped her coffee and fiddled with her pie, and waited. Sabrina hadn't yet been able to give a description of her attackers, but Jill was in no doubt as to who these two burly men represented. After a few minutes, the men found a seat without buying anything, and one of them took up a discarded newspaper and pretended to be interested in its contents. The other didn't even bother to pretend. He sent intimidating glances her way as he seemed to listen to things his colleague was saying.

Jill forked up a piece of pie, and ate it, turning her gaze toward them. Then when she'd finished eating, she smiled toward them then stood up and walked out of the cafeteria towards the elevators. It wasn't long before the suits stood up and followed.

She needed to be in a car that was quite crowded, so she walked over to the largest crowd of elevator riders she could see, and stood patiently, knowing who would be joining her. Presently, the number of floors on the display came rolling down to level one and the elevator doors slid open, allowing the gathering of people to surge into the almost empty space, some chattering, whilst others seemed deep in thought. Jill manoeuvred her way towards the front and smiled at the two men who were intent on accompanying her to her destination.

"Oh hello!" She spoke up, directly at her followers. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

The two men whipped around at being addressed, both narrowing their eyes at her.

"Excuse me?" One of them feigned polite innocence.

"Sure, you know my friend, Miss Duncan!" Jill continued, smiling amicably. "Are you here to visit her? I'm sure she'd really appreciate that!" Jill smiled even more, aware of fists balling at the side of the man who wasn't speaking. She glanced around the other people sharing the brief journey upward, and waited for a response.

"I do apologise - you must be mistaken. You do not know us, and we are not here to visit your friend." The man gave Jill a piercing stare before turning his attention to the doors, waiting for the car to stop. He didn't seem too concerned that Jill had turned the table on them, Jill realised.

"Oh!" she exclaimed brightly. "Sorry! My mistake."

She then waited silently herself for the elevator to finally stop at the third floor. When the doors opened and the crowd surged back out, Jill took her time in exiting, watching the men as they watched her. She stepped out then stood to one side, looking purposefully at the men to let them see she wasn't in the slightest bit intimidated by them. They themselves did actually have more to discuss, though.

They stepped up to her, trying to block her against the wall. But still, Jill wasn't overly worried and stood her ground.

Mr talkative then spoke. "Where is the other blonde?" He demanded, the threat in his voice clear. Jill blinked in her own feigned innocence.

"Excuse me?" She repeated his earlier remark, whilst edging herself within sight of passers by.

She saw his partner raise his arm to strike her, but he stopped him with his own arm.

"Wait." He said to his zealous partner whilst still staring at Jill.

If looks could kill, Jill thought, slightly alarmed. But just what did Limardo's goons think they would accomplish here?

"Look…miss." Mr talkative looked as though he was having trouble containing his own annoyance with her. "You know what I'm talking about. The other blonde who was here first. Where is she?" He then patted the side of his jacket meaningfully. "Mrs Limardo does not like to be kept in the dark, she is not a very patient person, understand?"

Jill sighed, and decided that the gun Mr talkative was so fussy about, probably had a silencer attached. Okay. She took a breath.

"Well first of all, I don't know what you're talking about, and secondly, if I was you, I wouldn't go reporting back to your boss that you lost your tail. It could be a little embarrassing!" As she finished her sentence, she pushed abruptly past the men before they could blink, and was mingling with the general stream of medical staff and visitors alike, before they could react. The silent one started after her, but Mr talkative held him back.

"It's okay. We will tie up the loose ends later. Besides, I think the Munro woman has likely joined her friend at the sanctuary." He stared after Jill as she disappeared at the end of the corridor. "And if that is the case, there is nothing we can do about it now."

He wasn't happy with that scenario and, he didn't like to admit this other blonde had a point, but he also wasn't happy about informing Mrs Limardo that they had indeed, lost the Munro woman. But then maybe he didn't have to. He turned and walked back to the elevator, his disappointed partner behind him.

Reardon saw Kelly and Kris back to their rooms and confirmed he would try and keep them up to date with anything relevant to them. Although that didn't follow that he necessarily would. He made his way back to Marcus. They needed evidence to connect Marcus directly to the Limardo girl and that would be nice if he could wrap that up to, but it wasn't his primary concern right now. He had warned the two detectives again to stay low and stay out of trouble. But in his experience, women didn't usually do as they were told.

He knocked and entered Marcus's office, then was shocked to find the unannounced arrival of Vincent, with a handful of heavies. Marcus looked distinctly uncomfortable.

"Ah, Reardon! How nice of ya to join the party!" He gave Reardon a wicked grin. "Close the door!"

Reardon entered and bowed his head slightly at Marcus.

Vincent sighed loudly.

"You know, Marky-boy, I'm getting kinda tired of all this stupid religious stuff!" Vincent stood up out of the chair he'd been lolling in, enjoying Marcus's obvious upset at Vincent's sudden visit.

"I mean - who are you supposed to be, anyways? Saint Francis of Assisi or something'?" Vincent guffawed at his own joke, and his men smiled too, as Marcus bristled almost audibly at the slur. How dare he! Marcus thought, enraged. How dare he should even try to humiliate the lord? But he took a deep breath to control his anger. This time.

Vincent turned around to directly face Marcus. "So, Marky-boy. What you got the police up here for huh?" Vincent was not laughing now.

Marcus coughed. "We had a break-in." He said evenly. "I thought a little police presence might encourage our inquisitive neighbours to stay away."

"Hmm." Vincent searched Marcus's face for the truth. "You weren't by any chance thinking you might encourage me to stay away? Until you could get away yourself, huh?" Vincent watched Marcus's face turn a little pale. Interesting.

Marcus spluttered.

"What? Of course not, Vincent! What do you take me for?" Marcus let resentful antagonism lace his reply.

A bit more than a fool, Reardon thought. But kept the remark to himself. A time and a place, Jimmy, a time and a place.

Vincent wasn't the least bit concerned over any of Marcus's feelings. He jabbed a heavily ringed finger at Marcus and his face twisted into a chilling leer.

"You, brother Marcus, are treading on some really thin ice. And I am just waiting for it to crack wide open under you. And then you will not ever again come up for air - ever. Ya get me? Brother?" He punctuated almost every word with a jab of his podgy ringed finger in Marcus's face, not even an inch away from his nose. Marcus could only look back into Vincents steel hard stare, and allow some of his anger to bubble up and be mistaken for fear, by his arrogant 'partner'.

Vincent smiled with shark-like malevolence then stood back.

"Now we really understand each other don't we?" Vincent asked Marcus.

"I'd like to see the merchandise, Marky-boy. And it had better be good. And it had better be all there." Vincent threatened. He waved his arm towards the door to indicate they should all exit the office.

As Marcus strode along the corridors with Reardon at his side and his unwelcome visitors in tow, he knew exactly what his next move was. So, he brooded. Vincent wanted out. Vincent wanted rid of the girls. Vincent wanted it all. Then by all means, my dear Vincent, he thought humourlessly. You will have it - all.

Kelly made her way back to Kris's room as soon as Reardon made himself scarce. Kris was sitting on the edge of her bed, waiting for Kelly.

"Kelly…" Kris began.

"I know Kris - we need to move fast." Kelly's worried frown said all that Kris was feeling. Kelly walked up to Kris's bed but didn't sit down. She was too agitated.

"Agent Reardon is holding something back. I'm sure he knows more than he's telling us."

"Which is basically nada!" Kris complained. "Kelly, we need to find Molly Jason as well!" She tried to stand up off her bed, and clutched at her ribs. "We don't have time to sit around anymore."

Kelly's frown deepened as she helped Kris up.

"I know Kris. I know. Maybe we ought to split up, see what we can find out from Colleen and sister Clayton." Kris saw the look on Kelly's face.

"Kel, what?"

"I haven't seen Colleen around…" Kelly let her sentence tail off as she thought about the implications of this realisation.

"Kris. Can you go find sister Clayton? Talk to her - try to find out if she knows anything about Molly Jason and see what else you can get out of her." Kelly looked over her shoulder at the open door behind her then crossed the room and looked both ways before returning to Kris.

"Sure Kel. But I really think we should stick together in here." Kris was worried that Kelly was going to try resolving all this single-handedly again and that brother Marcus might figure something and Kris wouldn't be there to watch Kelly's back. She wasn't about to let Kelly do that to her a second time.

Kelly looked back at Kris and read her thoughts as if Kris had spoken them out loud. She sighed and squeezed Kris's arm.

"Kris, don't worry. I need you with me now. I know that. Okay?" Kelly looked at Kris earnestly. "I'm going to find Colleen to see if she can be of any help." She turned towards the door.

Kris didn't like watching her go. Kelly got to the door then turned.

"I'll be back soon - we need to go check out the kitchens. I'll see you back here in about thirty minutes." She smiled that confident smile that Kris knew all too well. But this time, she wasn't inspired with confidence at all.

Sabrina awoke to find her room empty for a change. She licked her dry lips and decided this wasn't a bad thing right now. She could use some time to gather her thoughts. Her lips didn't feel as swollen today. She could manage a little speech without feeling as though her lips were in danger of swatting whoever was opposite her and pushing them off their chair. She smiled inwardly. Hey Bri, you just joked with yourself! She felt a little better for that. Not much, but a little. She listened a little while to the general hospital hubbub outside of her room, the door being slightly ajar. She supposed it was a little comforting, knowing that there were friendly people on the other side of the door. Then she chided herself. What was wrong with her? She was a grown woman for goodness sake! She didn't need some nosey strangers poking around her to make her feel better! She sighed. Wrong. Boy, Sabrina, right now you are so wrong, she argued with herself. Wrong…and weak. And she hated herself for it. Apart from feeling she had let everybody down, she also had to acknowledge the fact that she was, after all, a mere female. A mere female who clearly was not capable of fighting back. Was she that delusional? Had she ever thought she was tough enough to take on the likes of Mohammed Ali and his double, and get away with it?

A self-derogatory curse escaped her lips. This is not helping, Sabrina, she told herself harshly. Just stop feeling sorry for yourself, okay? You got roughed up, you got hurt. It happened. Deal with it and move on!

Her fists balled at her sides and she felt hot pricks of shame threatening to turn themselves into tears. She blinked and swallowed the feelings back down. Stop it, just stop it, she remonstrated with herself.

But just as she was about to lift her arm up and punch the bed in frustration, someone pushed her door open and a familiar figure quietly poked her head around the door.

"Oh hi Bri, you're awake!" Jill then walked further into the room and took in Bri's demeanour as she came closer.

She immediately wasn't happy with what she saw and sensed.

"Bri. What is it? Are you in pain?" Jill came up to Sabrina's bedside and stood hovering over her, wondering if she should call for a nurse.

Sabrina shook her head a little.

"No Jill, it's okay." Sabrina croaked, her voice still hoarse.

Jill sat down on the chair that must have had her name carved in it somewhere by now, and looked questioningly at her friend.

"Bri, what's wrong, can you tell me?" Sabrina had forgotten how well Jill knew her. But right now, she didn't really know if she could tell Jill at all, what was wrong. So many things were wrong. So many things had gotten too much out of Sabrina's control. And that was just for starters.

She looked at Jill's tender gaze, and again, felt so much remorse. Where to start?

"Bosley is just helping the police with some enquiries that have been filtered our way from Sacramento." Jill said, to try and give Sabrina something else to focus on. Jill was well aware that Sabrina was brooding, and was probably feeling pretty bad about everything that had happened, even though it was none of any of the angels fault. But that was Sabrina. She always felt that before Charlie, the buck stopped with her. It was both Bri's strength - and her weakness.

Jill smiled warmly, trying to coax a similar response from Sabrina.

"I know you must feel a little bad about things now Bri." Jill began, and went to take Bri's hand but was somewhat surprised to find it was balled into a tight fist.

"Oh Sabrina, hey honey!" She pulled Sabrina's fingers free and took hold of her hand properly, gently massaging the knuckles, trying to sooth her friend. She looked back at Sabrina's face and saw a tear slip out of the corner of her bruised up eye and track its way down her swollen cheek.

Jill felt her insides almost liquefy. Jeez, this wasn't the Sabrina she knew. It cut her to ribbons to see Sabrina this way.

"Aw Sabrina, it's okay! You are going to be alright. Kris and Kelly will be back before you know it, and the Limardo thing will be all be over!" Jill tried her best to enrich her words with as much positive encouragement as she could muster.

"You know Kris and Kelly - they'll work this whole thing out, you just see!" Jill tried again to enthuse Sabrina.

But the more she looked on Sabrina, the more she realised, something else was going on inside Bri's mind.

Jill sighed, as Sabrina turned a glassy stare towards her.

"Jill. I'm sorry." Sabrina managed, through the turmoil inside her.

"Do not be sorry Bri - you have nothing to be sorry for. Don't you dare apologise, okay?" She replied, softly.

Sabrina could no longer meet Jill's affectionate and concerned gaze. She turned her head back to centre, looking up at the ceiling, as she had done so many times over the last few days.

"I'm sorry - I - I let everyone down and I can't do this anymore." Sabrina's voice was without emotion. Flat. Beaten. Jill heard the emotionless sentiment more than the words. And something stung her heart then.

"I'm quitting, Jill." Sabrina confirmed Jill's fears in her next sentence and in the same flat tone, and Jill, in that moment, knew that Sabrina was at the end of her rope.