A/N. And now for the conclusion ... Oh come on I wouldn't be cruel enough to kill Mac off would I ... cue creepy organ music and evil laugh fading into the distance ...? LOL!

Reviews and PM's always appreciated - will try to respond as soon as I can. Mahala.

Chapter 12

Stella shivered as the cold wind blew through her jacket sending a fine dusting of snow whipping up into the air. The initial adrenalin rush had worn off and she now felt chilled to the bone. She could only watch helplessly as Sam and Bruce continued to probe the snow all around them working their way systematically out from the point where they had found Gavin Escott. She found herself unable to look back at the motor-sledge that had been rolled upside-down by the snow-slide and the body they had found near it. She closed her eyes for a moment trying to make sense of it all. Since finding Escott, her fury at Mac for taking off after him had abated to be replaced by a cold dread that manifested itself by a sick feeling in the bottom of her stomach and a sense of helplessness. She felt Don's arm tighten around her shoulders and she knew instinctively that he felt as helpless as she did. The sound of an engine caused them all to raise their heads. Another snow-mobile with a trailer on the back sped across the snow towards them. As it pulled up two men dismounted and strode towards them.

"Dad!" Bruce shouted raising a hand. "Dr Bryson!" Somehow Don wasn't surprised to see Bruce's father although he noted that he was no longer wearing the scruffy overalls from the garage but a rather smart Mountain Guide outfit with a fluorescent Search and Rescue jacket.

"You okay son?" Jim asked as he took in his son's pale worried features before glancing over at the doctor who was examining the body in the snow.

"Yeah. I'm fine Dad. That's Gavin Escott." Bruce stammered as the doctor lifted his head to indicate with a quick shake that there was nothing he could do.

Jim lifted his head to look at Sam. "That the bastard that took your Sara and killed them girls?" he asked. Sam nodded. "Good job he's dead." muttered Jim dispassionately as he turned to look at Stella and Don. "Detective Taylor?" he asked. Stella could only shake her head barely able to contain the tears that were threatening to fall. "Right!" Jim straightened up, a determined look on his face. "Digger?"

A dark mass detached itself from the trailer at the back of the snow-mobile and bounded across the snow. The big brown dog shook its fur and sniffed at all present before looking up at it's master.

"Search!" ordered Jim. Digger let out a low sound half way between a growl and a bark and made his way round sniffing once more at all the people present.

Don looked down at the dog as it paused in front of him. It's huge brown soulful eyes almost appeared to be questioning him. "Please find my friend." he whispered, his voice hoarse. Digger barked and started wandering around it's nose to the ground. Initially there seemed to be no pattern to it's movements. Digger would wander in one direction but then suddenly double back. Occasionally the big blood-hound would pause to look around it's huge tongue hanging out the side of it's mouth before resuming it's search. Gradually Digger moved further away from the group. Suddenly the dog paused and looked back at Don tipping it's head to one side as though it was thinking about something. He then turned away and sniffed the air. The huge hound paused it's ears twitching, a slight tremble running through it's sleek brown body and then suddenly bounded off to a large snow-covered tree that seemed to be leaning at an impossible angle some thirty feet away. The dog circled the tree sniffing. Then he barked sharply. Then he began digging.

"Atta boy!" Jim scooped up the spade from the snow and thrust it at Sam. He then pulled a similar one from his own pack and set off stomping through the deep snow towards his dog, Bruce hot on his heels with Sam and Dr Bryson trailing behind them. For a moment Stella and Don didn't move but then they looked at one another. Don grabbed her hand and scrambled across the snow pulling Stella along with him, neither of them daring to hope.

Snow flew in all directions as Digger did what he did best. He barked excitedly as his two-legged companions dropped to their knees and began to dig at the base of the tree. Stella's heart leapt as Sam latched onto something and pulled a ski from the snow, it's blue and white design instantly recognizable. She felt Don's hand clasp hers even more tightly as a second ski was pulled free and thrown aside. Digger got even more excited as he dug down his tail whipping back and forth slapping anyone who got too close.

"Good boy!" shouted Jim. "Back!" he ordered. Digger backed off barking as Bruce grabbed him round the neck patting him and whispering in his ear. Jim and Sam pulled back as Dr Bryson leaned into the hole. Don and Stella leaned forward desperately trying to catch a glimpse of Mac.

"I've got a pulse." the medic shouted throwing off his pack and pulling out a disposable BVM resuscitator and a light-weight heated survival sheet. Jim dropped to knees again and he and Sam began to clear away the rest of the snow while Dr Bryson fitted the mask of the respirator over Mac's face and began compressing the bag to force air into his lungs. In a few minutes they had managed to clear enough snow to pull Mac out from the hole where he had hidden at the base of the tree. As Jim dragged him out Dr Bryson spread out the lightweight survival blanket. Stella felt as though she had been turned to stone unable to do anything other than watch. Mac's grey features and blue lips together with cuts on his face gave her the impression that he was dead but her hand flew to her mouth as she realized that he was looking up at her. Jim and the doctor helped Mac struggle into a sitting position where he sat for a moment shivering trying to catch his breath and make sense of his surroundings.

Mac blinked furiously as he looked up at Don and Stella fully expecting Stella to give him hell for pursuing Escott but instead it was Don who exploded.

"Don't you ever … EVER … do … ANYTHING … like that … EVER again!" he yelled making Mac flinch in surprise. Don pulled his hat from his head and turning away from Mac he threw it to the ground, dragging his hand through his tousled hair, his entire body shaking with the pent-up emotion. Mac was stunned, unable to respond to the sudden unexpected outburst from his friend. Mac turned his eyes back to Stella waiting for a similar outburst but instead Stella did the last thing in the world that he expected. She slowly crumpled to the ground beside him tears streaming down her face. She threw her arms around him and buried her face in his neck. Mac could feel her fingers digging into his skin despite the layers of clothing.

"Oh God Stella! I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he whispered his heart breaking at the silent sobs that racked her body as he cradled her in his arms. As her sobs subsided, Mac looked up at the smiling faces around him. "Thank you. Thank you all." he stammered still trying to control the shivers that wouldn't seem to stop. Digger barked. Mac stretched out a hand. "Especially you buddy." Digger nuzzled Mac's hand as Mac fondly rubbed his ears.

"Aye he's good digger is that one." Jim beamed with pleasure. "Now let's get you folks back home."