A/N - Quite a short chapter but thought it helped in allowing the story to flow and the characters to develop, that being said there should be another chapter in the next day or two, let me know your thoughts!

Chapter 8 –

Sam quickly shoved some of her things from her locker into a bag, she hadn't wasted any time in changing out of her scrubs and into jeans and jumper. She hadn't needed any convincing to go with Rachel, she knew that the girl trusted her and that she would also be able to take care of Rachel's medical needs. Zoe however had been another matter, her thoughts of the wound Dixie had suffered where fresh in her mind and although she wanted the best for Rachel she did not want to put Sam in any danger. Between Alice and Sam they had managed to convince Zoe that it was the best course of action, although the fact that Alice was not keen on letting her superiors know about Rachel or where she was being kept had alarmed Zoe and she had made Sam promise that she would ring her twice a day.

"Sam?"

Sam closed her locker door and turned around, surprised to see Dixie standing in the staff room, her arm in a sling.

"Dixie what are you doing up?"

"Well I was getting a bit bored just sitting around."

Dixie smiled as she wandered over and stood close to Sam as Sam smiled at the injured paramedic and put her hand on Dixie's good arm.

"How are you feeling?"

"I'm ok it's just a graze, I'm certainly not used to dodging bullets I thought that was more your line of work."

Dixie grinned widely as she watched Sam bow her head.

"Hey I'm ok Sam."

"I know it's just the last 36 hours have been a bit stressful."

"I heard about the girl, how is she doing?"

"Not great though it's more psychological damage that she is suffering from."

"You're leaving?"

Sam just nodded her head as Dixie took a step closer to Sam her voice dropping to a whisper.

"Look after her Sam and take care of yourself."

"Thank you Dixie and remember to take plenty of time off and make sure that you have Jeff running around after you!"

"Oh don't you worry about that!"

Dixie grinned widely as she quickly embraced Sam before she turned and left, leaving Sam to pack up the last of her things before she went to go and find Alice and Rachel.

Alice checked that the road was clear, that they hadn't been followed, that nothing was out of place before she turned the engine off and turned to face Sam and Rachel.

"Ok follow me but once we're inside I want you to stay in the hall until I check that everything is in order."

Sam just nodded her head as she looked at Rachel who had her fingers tightly interwoven around Sam's. Dutifully they followed Alice's lead, Sam staying close to Rachel as they entered the house once inside Sam sat Rachel down on the bottom stair standing protectively over her while Alice wandered through and checked the rooms.

"Everything is in order come on let's go through to the living room."

Sam helped Rachel to stand before she placed an arm around the girl's waist and the two of them followed Alice through as she stood in the living room and gestured for them to sit down on the sofa.

"Right so this is going to be home for a while, I hope you like it."

Alice managed a small smile as Sam reached across and touched Rachel's face instantly concerned by the pale nature of her face.

""I need to give you some medicine Rachel, have you got any food here?"

"Yes what do you need?"

"A drink and a sandwich would be a good start."

Alice nodded her head before she wandered off into the kitchen leaving Sam to look after Rachel and help the girl to settle in.

Alice sat in the living room on the solitary armchair, the television was on low but nobody was really paying attention, Rachel was in an uneasy sleep slumped up against Sam, finally Alice's phone beeped as she held it in the palm of her hand, fretfully she touched the screen and opened up the message, she had to read it three times before the information sunk in, they finally had a name and background for Rachel.