Thank you, thank you for the reviews and PMs this week - this plot has gotten a little uncomfortable to write after the indcident in Denver but I shall persivere.

SPOLIERS - this week - The hostage crisis continues: the police recieve help from an unexpected source, Ricky focuses his attention on Kendal and Bianca struggles to find a way back to the waking world.

...

Krystal walked home a little disappointed that her date, which had begun so successfully with Jesse, had ended so abruptly... but still!

What was it about that guy that made her feel as dizzy as a school girl?

Krystal put her key in the front door lock and sighed dreamily… well he was a pretty amazing kisser!

She turned the key and stepped through the front door. The lights were off but she could hear the sound of the television coming from the other room. This surprised her as it was quite late.

Curious, Krystal stepped into the lounge to find Dixie sobbing on the couch.

Krystal hadn't had much time for Dixie since she had come back from Llanview… not when she chose to stand by her murderous monster of a son. But Krystal's heart was too full not to be moved by the hollow sobs coming from the other woman.

"Dixie." She said softly, not wanting to startle the woman. She did however and Dixie jerked up suddenly at the unexpected sound of her voice. Krystal noticed for the first time that Dixie had the phone clutched in her hands.

"Bad news?" she asked with trepidation.

"JR…" stammered Dixie through her sniffles.

Krystal's sympathy all but shut down at the sound of that name.

"What has he done now?" Krystal asked her tone a little harder.

"He tried to kill himself." said Dixie. "He is in a coma."

Krystal sighed.

"If you ever needed more proof of that man's selfishness!" she said sharply.

"The doctor said it was because he felt abandoned by me." said Dixie.

Krystal could see the guilt clearly on the woman's face.

"You are not responsible for that man's actions." said Krystal taking a seat beside the distraught woman and touching her arm in comfort. "Because he is a man. He is old enough to take responsibility for his own actions. You cannot take on all of his burdens… all the bad things that man has done; I don't think anyone has broad enough shoulders. If he needs help he is in the best place to get it. If he is playing games they are the first people to be able to discover it."

Dixie didn't really hear her. She was starring at something pased Krystal's shoulder.

"Dixie," said Krystal, trying to get her attention. "If JR is ever going to get over himself the first thing he needs to recognise is that there isn't always going to be someone there to bail him out and hold his hand."

Dixie was still frowning at something.

"Krystal." she said slowly.

Krystal squeezed Dixie's hand.

"No let me finish! I know despite everything you love you son, I can understand that." She was thinking of Babe and the turmoil she brought to her life. "If you need to see him, then do. But do it for yourself not him, because he really doesn't deserve it."

Dixie shook her head. She really wasn't listening.

"No Krystal… Look at the news!"

Krystal turned, becoming aware of the television behind her, the anchor talking urgently about a newsflash and an image came up of a barricade of police cars around Pine Valley Hospital.

"Isn't your daughter there..?" Dixie asked.

Krystal's eyes were drawn to the words scrolling along the bottom of the screen;

Siege at Pine Valley Hospital… Two police officers critically injured… The gunman holding socialite Erica Kane and up to eight others hostage…

"Oh God no!" gasped Krystal "Please not Marissa!"

…