Ryan was trying to look on the bright side as he drove across to David's cabin. The most positive thing he could take from it was that Cara wasn't risking her safety and would be grateful when he got back. He was also enjoying the chance to take his new car for a spin; his previous one having been crashed; crushed and flooded in the storm a few months ago.

After he lost Greenlee, Ryan never believed he would be able to pull his life back together and let go of the guilt. But Cara's friendship had helped him get back on his feet again, and little Emma had given him a reason to stay there. Yes, Cara had been an incredible friend and Ryan was beginning to entertain the possibility of them becoming something more… maybe… And he was beginning to wonder of Cara felt the same.

…

As he turned into the gravel road that led off into the hills towards David's cabin Ryan was faced with a large black 4x4 racing down the road towards him. He pulled over in time to avoid a collision but he could hear the branches of the low hanging trees scraping against his new paint work and then there was a crunch as the big car clipped his rear fender.

The other driver just kept going.

"Tourist!" Ryan spat, as he stopped to check the damage. The wheel arch was dented and there was a large transfer of black paint. What kind of thoughtless person drives so recklessly down a narrow back road? He looked down the track at the billowing dust trail they had left behind. He really should have tried to get the number from their licence plate.

Ryan experimentally tried to wipe off some of the paint transfer but it wasn't very successful. He was really beginning to wonder if this trip was worth it… his new car!

Angrily he got back into the driver's seat and steered back onto to the road.

…

When Ryan pulled up to the cabin he noticed the lights were on. David was clearly home. He parked close to the porch, intending only to pop in and pass on the bad news to David before taking his leave. He was really hoping he wouldn't have to face the embarrassment and wasted journey of finding out David already knew.

He took one long last look at the dent in his fender before checking the car paintwork on the other side as he passed, licking his finger and rubbing hard to see if he could disguise the worst of the scratches from the tree branches. At least that would be cheaper to fix than the dent.

…

"David?" Ryan called out as he stepped up onto the porch.

There was no reply. The door was ajar so Ryan pushed it slowly open. He wasn't quite prepared for the sight before him. David was gaged and bound to a chair and the room was a shambles.

He rushed forward, pulling the gag aside.

"What happened?" he asked.

"There's a bomb!" was David's urgent reply.

Ryan followed his gaze to a half a dozen lashed together gas canisters attached to a mobile phone. Ryan didn't wait to untie him; he just dragged David out the building, chair and all. They were only a few yards from the house when the white heat of the explosion knocked them both to the ground.

Ryan slowly got back on his feet, his ears were ringing, and burning debris was dropping to the ground around him. David's wooden cabin was going up like a wick.

David was still on his side tied to the chair, struggling against his bonds.

"We have to get to the hospital!" he exclaimed.

Ryan blinked, remembering the reason why he had come.

"There is a hostage crisis at the hospital. They have Marissa…"

"I know." said David in frustration as Ryan finally made a move to untie him. "Why do you think they were trying to blow me up!"

With the last knot untied David got to his feet and grabbed the front of Ryan's T-shirt.

"I've got to get to the hospital right now." said David, "I have to get to Bianca!"

"Bianca?" asked Ryan still a little dazed from the blast.

"They poisoned her by contaminating my serum!"

"Poison?"

"I don't have time to explain." said David, and then her swore, realising he wasn't going to get very far without his car keys which were still in his burning home. "We'll take your car, if it will start."

"My car!" exclaimed Ryan, turning back to his vehicle parked right in front of the cabin.

Never mind the damage from earlier, his new car was now blackened and battered from the explosion. Windows were blown in and there were fragments of burning debris littering the hood.

"My car!"

…