Kelly had seen the last guest to the door at almost midnight. Bosley, Jill, Kris, Tiffany and Julie had all gone back to their houses. Sabrina was sleeping in the guest bedroom down the hall, like she had been doing since the night Carl was shot. Kelly had tried to make her go home, but Sabrina said Tyler was staying with her Dad for a few weeks and Bill was working nights so there was no one to go home to right now. Even though Kelly did not want to admit it, she was glad for the company, sometimes the nights felt endless and it was a comfort to know Sabrina was right down the hall. Kelly dreaded going to sleep, but tomorrow was a big day and she desperately needed some sleep to help her get her emotions under control and so she could think straight. "Please God just one dreamless night, just one good night's rest," Kelly prayed silently as she crawled into bed and turned off the light.

It was 2am and Sabrina had stopped in to check on Kelly, she found her tossing and turning in her sleep. Sabrina pulled up a chair and sat down beside the bed to watch and wait until she was needed. She had repeated this ritual every night since she had picked Kelly up from the hospital a week ago.

Kelly was deep in her dream; Sabrina knew she was dreaming about that last day with Carl.

She had just finished lunch with Sabrina and was going to stop by Carl's office on her way to pick up her dress for tonight. When she walked into the Senator's Los Angeles office she heard Carl's chief of staff, Jonathan Taylor pleading with Carl, "Why don't you skip the dinner tonight, I just have a bad feeling about this threat."

Kelly walked into the office and up to Carl's desk, "What are you talking about Jonathan, what threat?"

"Oh, Hey Kelly. How are you today?" Jonathan said looking uncomfortable.

Kelly looked from Jonathan to Carl hoping for an explanation, "I was fine until I heard about a threat on my husband's life, so who made it and what are you doing about it?"

Carl comes around the table to give Kelly a kiss and a hug, "Honey, you know when ever you are a public figure you get threats, this is no different. Hey, smile this reminds me of how we first met."

Kelly was not amused, "Yeah, that's what worries me, that threat was real Carl and you could have been killed, a Secret Service agent was killed and Sabrina was kidnapped so you need to tell me what is going on."

Carl decided retreat was his best course, "I would love to talk to you some more my dear, but I have a speaking engagement at the Los Angeles Women's Club and Jonathan has to go with me so we will have to talk about it later."

Kelly just looked at him, her eyes narrowed she wasn't buying it.

"I promise. We will talk about it tonight. Scout's honor." Carl said as he held up his fingers in the Boy Scout pledge with a big grin on his face.

"All right, but we are going to talk about this. I want you to be careful and safe." Kelly reluctantly said as she hugged him close and tried not to let her worry show.

Carl kissed her quickly gave her arms a squeeze and with a smile he was out the door with Jonathan right behind him. No one can say grass grows under his feet Kelly thought as she made her way over to Jonathan's assistant with a determined step. She had not been a detective for 5 years at one of the most prestigious agencies without learning how to get information. Three hours later Kelly was more worried than before. She looked at her watch and realized she would have to hurry to get ready in time for their dinner tonight but she was definitely going to have a talk with Carl. She just could not shake this feeling in her stomach, something was not right; she just could not put her finger on it.

Kelly finished getting dressed in a classic black evening gown; she put on the diamond necklace Carl had given her for their anniversary and the matching earrings he had given her when he won the California Senate seat a year ago. She smiled at how romantic their last anniversary had been, they had gone to Vail, for some skiing since it was where they first met. Those were good times and Kelly vowed to herself they would have those good times again. She knew things were a little difficult between them right now but that was the stress of Carl's new position, they were still trying to adjust to the time commitment being a senator made on Carl's time. Between meetings, social gatherings, spending part of the year in Washington DC, and speaking engagements they rarely saw each other for more than a few minutes at a time. Carl had promised her during the Senate's summer recess they would go to Mexico, just the two of them. Kelly meant to see he kept that promise, she wanted to start work on having a baby and Mexico sounded like a good time to convince Carl they were ready for a baby. She checked her make up and hair one more time and headed to a private room down stairs for pre-party drinks.

Carl saw Kelly as she walked into the room. He motioned her over, "Kelly, you remember the governor."

"Yes, it is good to see you again."

Kelly and Carl spent the rest of the evening socializing, Kelly tried to push for more money for a run a way home she was trying to get funded called Lost Angels from a few senators and the governor. As the evening preceded she relaxed a little, she had checked with hotel security and the CBI (California Bureau of Investigation) that was providing security for the event and everything seemed to be covered, besides the evening was winding down and they would be home soon, safe and sound.

Sometime after midnight the crowd was almost gone so Kelly and Carl said their goodbyes and headed to the door. As Kelly and Carl were walking out to their car a shot rang out and Carl fell backwards. To Kelly time stood still it seemed that Carl fell in slow motion, his security team threw her to the ground while others covered his body and tried to find the shooter. Kelly tried to push the agents off her and get to him, he wasn't moving, and there was a red spot spreading across his chest.

Kelly started screaming, "Get off me! Get off me! I have to get to him! Carl! Carl! Hold on I'm coming Hold on!"

The agent finally let Kelly up and she rushed to Carl's side.

Kelly grabbed his hand, he was looking at her, trying to breathe. Kelly was looking around for help, where were the paramedics. Carl looked like he was trying to say something so Kelly leaned down close to him, his voice was so weak, "I love you."

"I love you, too. Just hold on, you are going to be all right." Kelly desperately tried to reassure both of them. The next minute the struggling stopped and he was so still.

"No!" She screamed, "No! Carl don't do this, don't leave me." As Kelly tried to shake her husband the paramedics arrived. As the agents pulled Kelly away she looked up and into the eyes of a man she knew. As she tried to place the man another shot rang out and Kelly's world went dark.

Kelly woke up screaming, "Carl".

Suddenly Sabrina was there, "Take it easy, honey. It's just a nightmare."

Sabrina sat down on the bed and tried to get Kelly to look at her.

Kelly slowly realized she was safely in her room, "A nightmare that won't end." Kelly responded wearily as she fell back against her pillows.

"Hang in there Kel, you are going to get through this." Sabrina said as she comfortingly patted Kelly's leg. Kelly nodded, hoping Sabrina was right; she just wanted the nightmares to stop. She wanted her life back. She wanted Carl back. She swallowed hard and tried to lighten the mood a little bit to hide her tears.

"Not that I don't appreciate you being here, but when was the last time you slept all night."

"I have a very active young man at home that never sleeps so I'm used to it."

Kelly looked over at Sabrina her eyes red and tired, "Bri, am I going to be okay?"

"Yes, Kel, you are definitely going to be okay. You just need time and that is the hardest thing to give ourselves." Sabrina said as she sat on the bed and gave her a hug. Sabrina felt a deep feeling of foreboding.

Kelly sighed, "Will you stay with me a little big longer?"

"Yeah, scoot over and let me lay down."

As Kelly moved over and Sabrina laid down, Kelly looked over and grinned, "Bri"

"Yeah."

"What would Bill say if he saw us now?"

"He would probably jump in the middle and thank me for making all his fantasies come true." Sabrina and Kelly laughed, Sabrina relaxed a little glad to hear Kelly laugh even for a minute.

A few minutes later Kelly whispered, "Sabrina"

"Yea," Sabrina said half a sleep.

"Thank you for being here, I can't imagine going through this without you here."

"Well you don't have to imagine it. I'll always be here for you. We all will Bosley, Jill, Kris, Tiffany, Julie and Charlie; you just have to let us. Together we'll get through this, you aren't alone, and you never will be again." Sabrina knew Kelly's biggest fear was being unloved and alone again like she felt in the orphanage.

Kelly thought how well Sabrina knew her, it always amazed Kelly that Sabrina always seemed to understand her insecurities and knew what she needed to hear, "I promise I'll try." Kelly said as she reached over and squeezed Sabrina's hand.

"Now go to sleep, we have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes, Ma'am."

5