Beggar's Return

by JAClarke

Elliot Burch didn't die on the Compass Rose, he survived, but he's been shot in the back. Someone finds him washed up on the shore line... The story of how Elliot recovers and fights to clear his name of murder and arson. First published by Helpers Network UK in the 1990s.

8. Chapter 8

Chapter Eight

It took Joe a week to obtain his warrants and another to arrange an early morning swoop with Greg Hughes. Hughes was the one man Joe knew he could trust and he hoped with all his heart that Greg knew his men well enough to know who to assign to the job.

So it was, early the following morning that they raided the offices of Malloy Davidson and Hanover Norton Trust and seized every bit of paper and electronic equipment they could lay their hands on, before ripping the places apart looking for anything else that might be 'hidden' away. On top of that, raids were made on the homes of the company executives, including auditors and financial advisors. People who had been around Gabriel were arrested: men like Jonathan Pope, Paul Malloy; people who had made direct contact with Elliot and Catherine.

Joe arrived back at his office late a couple of days later, feeling very pleased with himself.

"Where have you been?" Rita queried. "The phone hasn't stopped ringing!"

"I bet it hasn't!" came the reply. "Bet they're worried."

"I've had top lawyers on the line about Paul Malloy and Ronald Davidson... what's going on, Joe?"

"I'm wrapping up a very ugly case, that's all. Anyone been in contact from Hanover Norton Trust?"

"Peter Norton was arrested at JFK trying to board a plane."

"Good."

"I thought the case was closed. We didn't have any evidence."

"Well, things change, you know, Rita. Things change. I'm bushed. It's been a hard couple of days rounding everything up. I'll see you in the morning." He left her staring open mouthed after him.

As soon as he'd gone, she closed the door of his office and picked up the phone...

Joe paid a visit to JD to see how she was getting on. She looked pleased to see him.

"Mr Maxwell! Please, come in. Can I fix you a coffee?"

"That'd be nice. Thanks." He pulled off his coat and slumped down into the nearest chair. "How're you settling in?"

JD blushed. "I've turned into a couch potato! I haven't seen any television in years, and they're showing re-runs of all the stuff I remember watching as a child. I'm loving it! And the new science fiction stuff—it's great! I have a timetable all worked out and, as Cathy's got a video I can record the stuff I want to see when I'm out in the evening and watch it next day. Mind you, I'm beginning to run out of available hours in the day to watch it all."

Joe laughed at that. "Sounds like you're getting hooked. Could be a bad habit. Elliot sends his love... Gee but he's changed."

JD cocked her head curiously on one side. "Oh?"

"How much do you know about him?"

"That his name is Elliot Burch. Cathy said he was New York's most eligible bachelor. I'm really surprised that he's not already married."

"He was honey, to his work! But you're telling me you've never heard of him?"

"No. Elliot said he'd explain everything when this was all over."

"Well, I won't spoil it for you, it should turn out to be quite a story. Ah, thanks." He gratefully accepted his coffee and took a sip.

She frowned at him. "Elliot told me he was one of the good guys. Is he, Mr Maxwell?"

Joe looked up at her. He took a deep breath and let it out sharply. "Yes, he is. I just had trouble seeing it," he confessed. "Elliot and I didn't really get on too well, y'know? He was the successful, powerful business man and me... Well, he's not a knight in shining armour."

"What man is?"

"Point taken; but being the man he... was... he often worked a lot in the grey areas, if you follow me. I don't want to say any more. Let him tell you himself. But if it makes you feel any better, I like the man I see now. I think we're going to be pretty good friends." Joe finished the rest of his coffee. "Thanks for this, I really needed it."

"Any time, Mr Maxwell."

"Hell, I'm not used to this formality. Call me Joe."

"Okay... Joe."

"Now, make sure you always check who's at the door before you open it. Cathy and I are still the only two who know about you, but it's best to be safe. I'll be in touch. Bye."

"Good bye Mr... I mean, Joe."

Rita finally managed to get hold of Sandra, who had filled in during her absence. "Hi, Sandra, it's Rita. Listen, I'm trying to make out Joe's handwriting on a note he's left me and I can't make it out. Did he have any visitors at all?"

"A few, and then there was one I hadn't seen before... what was her name... Catherine, that's it."

"Catherine? Did you get a last name?"

"No. But he obviously knew her very well... gave the impression they'd worked together before, in the past."

"O-oh..." Rita's heart missed a beat. "It's okay, I can make out the name now. It must be Catherine Chandler. Thanks for the help."

"Any time."

Rita put the receiver down and gazed into space. Catherine Chandler was dead, wasn't she? She had to be! There'd been a coroner's report, a funeral, everything, but... the Malloy Davidson, Hanover Norton Trust Case had been re-opened and everything had been seized. That meant that there had to be new evidence. Her bosses had screamed at her for not warning them of the impending warrants and arrests, but she had known nothing about it. How could she? She hadn't been there and Joe Maxwell had been very, very quiet about the whole thing. Just find out who! her orders had been. How would they react to this piece of information? Well, there was just one way to find out.

Rita picked up the receiver and dialled out.

"Hello?" a voice simply said at the other end.

"It's Catherine Chandler," Rita whispered back.

"She's dead."

"Is she? That's who visited the office when I was out."

"Keep looking, there must be more. Find out." The line went dead.

Rita slammed the receiver down again. She hated doing this. One small mistake, that was all it had taken. Now because of her, more people might die, but the organisation had a hold on her. It was either her own family or others, so really there was no choice...

JD was watching the news on the television when the doorbell rang. She was tempted to ignore it because right now the newscaster was reporting on the developments of the investigations into what she knew Elliot to be involved in somehow, but it went again, more persistently.

Sighing, she got up and went to the door, peeping through the spy hole. All she could see was a large spray of flowers. Making sure the chain was across she took a deep breath. Be prepared for anything, she told herself as she cautiously opened the door. "Yes?" she enquired.

"Catherine Chandler?" the voice questioned.

"Pardon?" Her voice held genuine puzzlement for the time it had taken to answer, and then she realised, and the alarm bells started ringing in her head.

"Catherine Chandler?" the voice repeated.

"I'm sorry, no one of that name lives here. I only moved in a couple of weeks ago."

"But she used to live here, right?"

"I don't know, I've got this apartment on a short term rental. The guy said something had happened to the previous occupant and there was some clause that said it could be let until the lease ran out."

"Oh, sorry to have disturbed you. I must have the wrong floor. Good bye."

"Bye." JD closed the door again, her heart thumping. What should she do? She glanced at her watch. It was lunch time. I wonder if Joe is in his office? she thought and quickly went to the phone. Picking up the card with his number on, she dialled it and waited.

"District Attorney's Office," a female voice said.

"I'd like to speak to Joe Maxwell, please."

"One moment." There was a click, then another female voice.

"Joe Maxwell's office, may I help you?"

"Is Joe there, please?"

"May I ask who's calling?"

"Tell him it's JD and it's very important."

"One moment, please." Rita could see that Joe's office door was open and he was not in there. She was just about to tell her caller this, when Joe appeared from around a corner. "Joe, someone called JD is asking for you. She says it's important." Rita saw the worried look appear on his face.

"Put it through straight away," he barked and ran into his office, closing the door behind him.

"I'm putting you through now," Rita told JD and dialled Joe's extension. "You're through," she said, and continued to listen into the conversation.

"JD, what's up?" she heard Joe ask.

"I didn't know whether to call you or not, but I've just had some guy at the door, asking for Catherine Chandler."

"What!"

"He had some flowers."

"What did you tell him?"

"I said I didn't know anyone of that name and that I'd only just moved in. Then he said that she used to live here, so I said I didn't know, but the person who made all the arrangements said something had happened to the previous occupant and that there was something in the documentation that said they could lease it for the remaining period of the contract. Was that all right?"

"That was brilliant, JD. Well done. However, I don't like it. No one is supposed to know anything. I haven't talked and Greg Hughes doesn't know about Cathy either... Look, let me make some calls, I'll sort something out, I think I'll move you to a safe house."

"But Joe, I don't know anything about any of this. What harm can I possibly come to?"

"Honey, if they find out you mean something to Elliot Burch, you could be in a lot of trouble!"

"Oh. Okay. Do you want me to start packing then?"

"Just pack one bag. I'll be in touch and let you know when I'm coming round to pick you up. I'll come personally, okay?"

"Okay."

"You working tonight?"

"Yes."

"May be you shouldn't."

"I've got to make a living, Joe."

"Ring in sick tonight. Listen, I've changed my mind; give me a couple of hours to make some arrangements. I'll pick you up this afternoon. Be ready."

"Okay."

Rita heard the phone click off. She was about to dial out, when Joe Maxwell came out into the main office, wearing a face like thunder, so she had no chance to use the phone. He searched one of the cabinets, then finding what he wanted, went back into his office, but left the door open. Rita cursed. The call would have to wait, she couldn't leave her desk at that precise moment.

Back at Catherine's apartment, JD began packing a bag. Her hands were shaking; things were beginning to get a little heated and she wasn't sure she was up to it all. It took her a little while to decide what to pack, then she realised she was short of some toiletries. She decided to have lunch and then do a little shopping. It wouldn't take long, and Joe had said it would take a couple of hours to sort something out. She was positive she would be back on time.

Rita finally managed to make her call and told them she was not going to help them anymore. This was it, and they'd better stay away from her and her family or she'd spill the whole thing to the police. She had insurance, so they'd better not try anything. That made her feel better.

The contact on the other end of the phone didn't want to believe what she'd told him at first; that both Catherine Chandler and Elliot Burch were still alive, but in the end, with what had gone on over the past couple of days, they knew it had to be true and they said they knew what to do. Rita didn't want to know what they had in mind and hung up, satisfied she had heard the last of them.

"Rita, I'm out on an errand. I'll be back later on this afternoon."

"Okay, Joe." Her voice was a little shaky.

"You all right?" he asked.

"Yeah, fine. Got something caught in my throat." She coughed as if to clear it and Joe nodded.

Joe had almost finalised arrangements, and then decided he didn't like the thought of JD still being in the apartment, so he was going to pick her up and bring her right back to the office, where he could keep an eye on her. She was a direct link to Elliot and they couldn't afford to have anything happen.

JD was humming to herself as she made her way back to the apartment. She'd bought her toiletries and treated herself to some exotic body spray, though she wasn't really sure why, for she didn't know when she'd next see Elliot. Best to be prepared, she told herself with a nod of her head.

Still humming, she exited the elevator on the eighteenth floor and walked around the corner. As she went to insert the key in the lock, she saw that the door was slightly ajar. Without thinking, she pushed it open slightly and gasped aloud as she saw the two men inside. They turned at the sound.

"Hey! You!" one of them shouted.

JD threw her shopping at them, grabbed the door, closed it and turned and ran. The doors to the elevator were closing and the arrow indicated it was on a downwards descent. Desperately she threw herself at them, got them to open again and thumbed the ground floor, praying she would have started the journey before the men reached her.

The doors shut just as one of the men rounded the corner and JD leaned against the back of the elevator breathing hard. What did she do now? There was a doorman, but he was elderly and would not be able to help her. Somehow she had to get to Joe Maxwell, he would be able to protect her. The doorman gave her a peculiar look as she dashed past him and into the street, desperately looking for a cab, but as per usual, when you wanted one, there was never one in sight.

Swearing, she began to run along the road, the adrenalin surging through her body.

Joe Maxwell swore vehemently as he saw the open door and the shopping scattered on the floor. What had happened? He turned and ran back to his car; driving like a maniac to his office. She'll call, I know she'll call, he muttered to himself, as he paced back and forth across the floor.

She was shaking so much she could hardly get the coin in the slot, but finally, there was a click and she punched the number. At the other end, the telephone rang three times before it was answered.

"Manhattan District Attorney's Office, how may I help you?"

"Please, I need to speak to DA Joe Maxwell, it's very urgent! Please, hurry!" Her voice was shaking too and pitched higher than normal.

"Please hold—"

"No - don't... please don't put me on—" But the phone clicked and went silent. JD clutched at the receiver, her knuckles white and looked furtively around.

Suddenly, there was another click.

"Hello. Joe Maxwell."

"Mr Maxwell... please help me..."

"JD, where are you? I found the door to your apartment open..."

"Some men... some men are after me! I - I don't know what to do... where to go..." She wiped a hand savagely across her eyes to dry her tears.

"Calm down. Where are you now?"

"East 86th... by the park. Oh, please hurry... I'm so—"

Joe suddenly heard her voice cut off in a scream. There were sounds of a scuffle and then everything went quiet.

"JD! JD! Answer me! What's happening? JD!" Joe suddenly took a deep breath as a male voice came on the other end.

"Mr Maxwell, I'm afraid Miss Davies is... unable to come to the telephone at the moment."

"Hey, pal, this is pointless; the evidence is all here; we've got you, you can't escape. Just give it up! No one else needs to get hurt."

"Oh, we know we're finished, Mr Maxwell, it would be foolish to deny it."

"Then what the hell is this all about?"

"We want Burch."

Joe's blood ran cold.

"Why?" he managed to ask. "Why, if it's all over?"

"You don't think we're going to let him walk away from this, do you? We go down... he goes with us. We'll be in touch. Tell him, it's him, or the girlfriend and, if he wavers, we'll start sending her back; piece by piece, if you get my meaning..." The voice trailed off.

Joe heard JD scream in agony and then the phone went dead.

"Jeeze... oh, sweet Jesus," he moaned, staring at the telephone receiver and then shakily replacing it.

Rita appeared in the doorway. "Joe, what's wrong? You've gone as white as a sheet!"

"We thought the nightmare was nearly over, Rita," he whispered, his eyes suddenly looking haunted. "But it's not. God, how many more people will this damn case harm?" He slammed a fist on the table, glad of the pain it caused.

Rita flinched.

"What's happened, Joe?"

"They've gone and kidnapped an innocent bystander, Jahnine Davies!"

"Who have?"

"Who d'you think?"

"But why? There's no escape, you said the case is air tight!"

"Revenge, pure and simple. They want Burch."

"Oh, my God! What are you going to do?"

"I'm thinking on it. Jeez... what a mess! Thank God, Cathy's safe. Dammit, we should have hidden JD as well..." He reached for his jacket. "Elliot is going to go crazy!"

Rita stared after him as he stormed out of the office. Since the news had broken on the investigation, Rita had been told some further information, but nothing that would be of use to her contacts—if she had decided to tell them, which she hadn't. Joe went back to Cathy's apartment block; keeping a sharp eye out in case he was being followed, but he wasn't. Looking around to make sure the coast was clear, he went to the storage room in the basement, moved the boxes and slipped into the tunnel; where he then picked up a stone and tapped out an emergency signal.

It was about half an hour before he heard anyone approaching. It turned out to be Catherine and Elliot. Joe's heart sank. He'd hoped Vincent would be there, as he had a sneaky suspicion he was going to need some backup.

"Joe? What's happened? What's wrong?" Catherine was slightly breathless from running part of the way. Emergency signals were taken very seriously.

"Where's Vincent?" Joe asked.

"He's coming, he got delayed. What is it?"

"Cathy, Elliot..." his voice trailed off as his eyes locked with Elliot's. The look on his face must have given some indication, for Elliot grabbed his shoulders.

"Joe? What is it?"

"Elliot... I'm sorry... it... it's about JD..." he stopped as he saw his friend—even in the subdued lighting—go grey; the blood draining from his face.

"W-what about JD?" he managed to ask, in a strangled whisper.

"They've got her..."

"Oh, my God!" Cathy exclaimed, a hand going to her throat. "But... but why? It's all over, they can't escape justice now!"

"What... what do they want?" Elliot's eyes were like steel as they bored into Joe's, hypnotising him and depriving him of the will not to answer.

"You," he replied quietly.

"And if we do nothing, or refuse?"

Joe swallowed nervously and Elliot shook him.

"Maxwell!" he shouted.

"They'll kill her," Cathy answered in a whisper, for him.

Joe looked at Elliot and remembered what the guy on the telephone had said: Tell him.

"Worse," Joe finally replied. "They said to tell you they'd send her back... piece by piece."

For a minute, both Joe and Cathy thought Elliot was going to collapse. He let go of Joe's shoulders and staggered backwards, eyes wide with horror, his breathing ragged, to slam into the tunnel wall behind him.

Over the years, Joe had seen him happy, nonchalant, smug, angry and downright mad, but never had he seen him lose control—until now—and he realised with a jolt of sympathy just how much Jahnine Davies really meant to him. And that made him begin to worry—with good reason.

Elliot shook his head in denial and moaned, then his eyes took on a kind of glazed expression.

"God... no... I've got to go... give myself up to them!" he stated, straightening up.

"Elliot! You can't!" Cathy exclaimed, realisation of what he was about to do, dawning in her eyes.

"Think, Elliot!" Joe snapped. "Think, dammit! You can't go charging off like this!"

"I'm going," and he stepped forward, only to find Joe blocking his exit. "Get out of my way, Maxwell." His voice was dangerously low.

"I can't let you do this, Elliot."

"Get out of my way, you can't stop me..."

"I'll do whatever I have to, pal..."

Elliot took a step back, then suddenly sprang forwards in an attempt to knock Joe out of the way, but the DA had been expecting something like that and withstood the blow.

"You're not going... and that's final!" Joe grabbed his arm, swung him around and slammed him up against the tunnel wall, twisting his arm up behind his back in an effort to hold him there, because he knew full well that Elliot was fit and undoubtedly stronger than he was. "Stop struggling, dammit, or I'll break your Goddamn arm!"

"Joe!" Cathy exclaimed, horrified.

"Have you got any better suggestions?" he threw back at her, as his captive struggled violently to free himself.

Elliot grunted in pain as Joe forced his arm higher then, with one final effort, he somehow pushed back, twisted and wrenched himself free. There was a wild look in his eyes now, as he launched in to attack Joe.

The two of them were so intent on their battle, they didn't hear Vincent arrive. He took one look at the situation, grabbed Elliot in a vice-like grip and shook him until his teeth rattled.

It didn't stop him from struggling as he gasped, "Let me go, Vincent! Damn you, let me go!"

"Elliot!" Vincent half shouted; half roared.

It worked. He stopped struggling and hung his head in defeat as he took great lungful's of air into his heaving chest, in an effort to get himself back under control.

Joe watched in amazement at the effect Vincent had over him, for Elliot had quietened down and now, stood trembling with reaction. Vincent released him, then drew him back against him in a comforting hug of brotherhood.

"What has happened?" he asked quietly.

"The organisation have got JD. They've threatened to... to kill her, unless they get Elliot," Joe replied softly. "He just went crazy. I'm glad you turned up when you did, Vincent, I couldn't hold him."

Vincent nodded. "Go on ahead, we'll be along in a few moments," he ordered. Joe and Cathy nodded and started off down the tunnel. Vincent watched them go, then turned his attention to his adopted brother. "Elliot?"

"I - I'm all right, Vincent..." He wiped a shaking hand across his forehead. "I just made a complete and utter fool of myself, didn't I? I don't know what came over me... I just... snapped, I guess. I haven't lost control like that since I was a teenager..."

"It's a safety valve; you needed to let go. Now you have to be strong again, for JD's sake. Are you ready?"

"Yes. Thanks, Vincent. What would I have done if you hadn't been here, I wonder?"

Vincent cocked his head on one side. "Probably have given Joe a black eye!"

That response brought a brief smile to the handsome, bearded face, then it faded. Elliot took a very slow, deep breath and straightened up. Vincent stepped back and motioned for him to lead the way down the tunnel.

Cathy and Joe were waiting round the corner.

Looking sheepish, Elliot apologised for his behaviour—once again illustrating the change that had occurred in him. Before, Elliot Burch never apologised, to anyone.

"S'all right, pal. It was understandable in the circumstances. Now, the position is this. We can't do a damn thing until they contact us again. I assume they're gonna give me time to make contact with you, Elliot. My guess is they'll ring tomorrow to set up a meeting, or an exchange. I'm still trying to figure how the hell they found they found out that JD is more than just a witness..."

"You must have someone in your office, Joe," Cathy said. "It's got to be... unless it's been bugged."

"I'll look for bugs and maybe start checking the personnel records... I wonder where they'll be keeping her?"

"The docks, I should think," Elliot said. "They're so vast, there are a lot of places down there you don't even know about and they're impossible to search."

"We have some helpers, even there. We can pass the word; see if they've noticed anything and, to keep their eyes and ears open," Vincent said.

"If you do that, tell them to be very careful. We don't want to make them nervous, okay?" Joe said.

Everyone nodded.

"Right, I've got to get back to the office... Elliot, have courage and don't go trying anything single handed. You're our most important witness!"

"Okay, Joe. I get the message."

"Vincent, I'm counting on you to make sure he toes the line. There is to be no heroics, is that clear? I'll be in touch..." With that, he turned and left, leaving Catherine, Vincent and Elliot staring at one another.

"I hope to God, she'll be all right," Elliot breathed and Cathy reached out and hugged him.

JD was a bit battered and bruised, but otherwise unharmed. After being grabbed at the telephone kiosk, she had been subdued with a couple of blows and thrown unceremoniously into the trunk of a car for the terrifying journey to wherever the final destination was. By the muffled sounds she managed to decipher, it sounded as if it was the docks.

She didn't know how long the journey actually took, but she suffered a few more bruises after being thrown against the sides and roof of the trunk, when the car hit some huge bumps and went over several sets of what she assumed were railway tracks. In the dark, in a confined space, it became too much to bear and she started crying, realisation dawning that she would probably never see Elliot again.

Suddenly, the car screeched to a halt. It went quiet for a few seconds, then the trunk was opened and bright light assaulted JD's eyes, making them water even more. Two men grabbed her roughly by her arms and hauled her out, not caring if they hurt her further or not.

"Where d'you want her?" one asked as they stood her upright.

JD's legs refused to hold her at first, so they shook her hard and tried again.

"Put her in the secure storage room at the back, below the office. Make sure you lock the door, okay? We don't want her wandering off."

"All right, all right! Come on, sweetheart, this way..."

They dragged her off to the back of the warehouse, weaving their way between crates and drums, until they came to a door. One of them turned the key in the lock and opened it, to reveal a small room, devoid of any furniture whatsoever. The only window was about ten feet off the floor and had bars across it.

"In you go," and JD was shoved so hard, she flew across the floor, crashed into the wall opposite and collapsed in a heap. Staggering to her feet, she threw herself at the door, just as they closed it and tried to pull it open, but they were stronger than her and the key clicked ominously in the lock.

"Let me out, dammit! Let me out!" she screamed at them, pounding clenched fists on the door. But her demands went unheeded, so she gave up.

As there was enough light coming in through the high window, she explored every inch of her prison, looking for a possible weakness in the dividing walls, or a way out, but found none. Her only hope was that eventually they might provide her with a bit of furniture which could be utilised as a weapon. Frustrated and, for the moment, defeated, she slid down the wall, sat on the floor, arms wrapped around her knees, tears cascading down her cheeks and waited...

A few hours went by. JD was stiff and sore, from sitting on the concrete floor, so she got up and went to the door. She felt a mess and for all she knew, probably didn't look too good either. Her eyes were stinging from all the crying and her face felt hot and flushed. It was time to go to the bathroom.

"Hey!" she shouted, pounding on the door with a fist. "Hey! I want to go to the bathroom! Hey!" She had to keep the noise up for about fifteen minutes before anyone came, then it turned out to be one of the goons who had kidnapped her.

"Come on," he said gruffly, taking her by an arm. He pulled her along the same wall a little further and shoved her towards another door. "In there—and be quick!"

JD slipped in and shut the door behind her. Inside was a small wash basin and two cubicles. She peered into each one and saw they both had windows with just a small fanlight which she was sure she could squeeze through. Quickly, she took care of all her essential ablutions, closed the lid on the bowl, stood on it and gave the fanlight a closer inspection. At first, it didn't want to open, but then it suddenly decided to cooperate and she pushed it open. Can I get through here? she asked herself dubiously. Now it was open, it looked smaller than she thought. At any rate, it would take a while to work her way through—precious time she didn't have.

As if to confirm this, the goon waiting outside the door, shouted: "Hey, what you doing in there? How much longer you gonna be?"

"You kept me locked up for hours! What do you think?" she shouted back and clambered up onto the window ledge to stick her head out of the fanlight so she could look around. It was an alleyway and it was all clear.

"I'm counting to ten an' then I'm coming in!" the goon shouted.

JD nearly panicked. "Give me twenty and I'll be out!" But not in the way you think, pal!

She somehow manoeuvred her shoulders through, mentally counting her time allowance, then wriggled through to her waist, only to get her hips caught. Oh God, no! She put up a fierce struggle, gritting her teeth as her flesh was pinched in the tight gap, but by twisting and a bit of pure heaving, she suddenly fell through and hit the floor of the alley with a bone shaking thud, winding herself, just as the guard crashed through the door.

Dazed, she heard him swear vehemently and start shouting. Picking herself up, JD bolted down the alley and burst out onto the harbour front, which was surprisingly devoid of activity and, with a sinking heart, she realised the place was totally deserted.

God, which way is out? she suddenly thought, panic rising again, but there wasn't time to think, so she just started to run, hearing voices behind her.

"There she is! Get her! Dave! Get the Goddamn car! Hey, you! Stop! Stop or I'll shoot!"

They're going to kill me anyway, she thought. It'll just be that bit sooner... Oh, Elliot... I love you! JD kept running expecting that split second of agony before oblivion but, it never came. They needed her alive, at least until they got their hands on Elliot.

With renewed vigour, she wove in and out of crates and drums, squeezing through impossible gaps, her captor's tempers getting shorter and shorter as she continued to elude them. Then, she heard the squeal of tyres. There was no way she could outrun a car! Desperate, she ducked into an alleyway and too late realised her mistake.

Her two guards came after her; the car she heard driving off. Could she get out the other end before it got round the other side and blocked her in? Gritting her teeth against the stitch forming in her side, she ran on, her pursuers steadily gaining. It seemed as if the alley was never coming to an end, then suddenly, she was out, in another causeway and right in the path of the oncoming car.

There was a screech of tyres as it swerved to avoid her, but it caught her a glancing blow that sent her tumbling over and over on the ground. One of the guards who had been just behind her wasn't so lucky and there was a sickening thud as he was hit straight on. The other one slammed into the side of the car, unable to stop in time.

In pain from the blow, JD dragged herself to her feet and limped towards the main gate she spied in the distance. The one remaining guard, clambered over the hood of the car and went after her, along with the driver and within a short distance had caught up with her.

The driver grabbed her by an arm, jerked her around to face him and backhanded her, felling her in one go. As she hit the ground, moaning, he bent over and struck her a few more times for good measure, taking a perverse pleasure in hearing her cries.

"Bitch! Stupid bitch!" he shouted at her and then kicked her in the ribs for good measure.

The other man grabbed his arm and pulled him off balance as he went to kick her again. "Stop it! Lay off her!"

"You saw what happened!" he shouted. "She killed Mike!"

Another voice broke into their conversation. "You can't kill her yet, we need her alive! When we get Burch, you can do what the hell you like, okay?" Paul Malloy was still seething from the huge amount of bail that he'd been forced to pay out for his release.

They turned to look at the grey-haired man and finally nodded in agreement.

"Okay, Mr Malloy. Whatever you say."

"Get her back in the store room. You'd better tie her up and gag her and get rid of that body. Move it! Before someone stumbles across us!"

They roughly dragged the now unconscious JD back to the car and dumped her in the trunk, then turned their attention to their dead compatriot who, for his pains and years of faithful service, was thrown off the dock into the Hudson River, to float off downstream. The only tell-tale signs left were two bloodstains and some broken glass. So intent in their work were they, they failed to see the old vagabond, who ducked back behind a crate, watching the proceedings with interest...

Their dirty deed completed, the three of them got back into the now rather battered car and drove back to the warehouse. JD was lifted out of the trunk, gagged, trussed up like a chicken and thrown back in the store room, mercifully unaware—for the present—of the further harsh treatment she had received.

"I'd better get back to the office," Paul Malloy said. "When's the call being made?"

"Eleven."

"Okay. See you later."

Joe looked up as Rita popped her head round the door. "Anything yet?" she asked.

Joe just shook his head. "This is the worst part y'know... the waiting. An' what cuts me up the most, is that it involves an innocent bystander. I hope JD's holding up okay... but there are no guarantees, are there, Rita?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well, they're doing this purely for revenge and spite... do you honestly think they're gonna let her go, when she may be able to identify them? Between you and me, I think they'll wait 'til they get Burch and then kill everyone they can."

"Surely not!" Rita said vehemently.

"Listen, Rita, if those bastards can fire a casino and kill over two hundred people just to warn Burch off their trail; then killing a few more people ain't gonna make a lot of difference."

"I - I didn't think of it in that way..." She was thoughtful as she turned away and glanced up at the clock on the wall. Almost five... She shut her eyes in anguish. Oh God, what have I done?

Meanwhile, in the tunnels, Kipper arrived breathless at Father's study, with a message in a bottle. "Father! Father! A Message!" He leapt from one foot to the other and back again in excitement, desperately wanting to know what it contained. In his child's mind, all he knew of the present events was that someone very dear to Elliot had been forcibly taken away and that the people who had done this terrible deed, might hurt her, badly; which upset him, because he liked Elliot. Elliot treated him like a grown up and it made him feel important.

"Do you know where Vincent, Catherine and Elliot are?" Father asked.

"Catherine is in her chamber. Vincent is keeping an eye on Elliot... do you want me to fetch them?"

It took a little while for Father to answer, for he was reading the hastily scribbled note. "Dear God," he mumbled, then realising Kipper was still present and waiting, he cleared his throat and said, "Yes, please."

Kipper turned and ran, as Father read the note again. He looked up a few minutes later as Catherine appeared.

"Father? Kipper said there was a message."

"Yes." He waved it in the air. "I think we'll wait for Vincent and Elliot."

"Is it... is it bad?"

"I don't honestly know. It may not be as bad as it sounds..." he broke off as Vincent and Elliot came in; the latter looking flushed and breathing heavily.

"What's the news, Father?" he asked, panting slightly.

"The note is from old David. I suppose technically speaking, you could call him a vagrant. We usually see him more in the cold weather; the rest of the year he spends just wandering from place to place. His note says he was down on the docks at Pier 28. There was a lot of noise, which was surprising, because it should have been deserted. A young woman was being chased by some men and was hit by a car—not critically," he added hastily, seeing Elliot stiffen, "—for she got up and started running again, but was caught. It happened quite quickly, but from the description, it sounds like it was JD. They headed back, he wasn't sure if it was Pier 30 or 31. David is a reliable source of information."

"Then that must be it," Elliot rasped. "If she's been harmed in any way, I'll..." his voice trailed off and he shook himself. "So, we head there, right?"

"I will, but you will remain here," Vincent said firmly.

"No way! I'm coming too!"

"Elliot, you can't, you must stay here and wait for Joe. The kidnappers are sure to ring soon." Vincent laid a sympathetic hand on his shoulder as he saw the anguished face. "Try not to worry."

"But Vincent, it's still daylight," Cathy said.

"I shall go and be ready for when night falls. In the meantime, we should get word to Joe."

"I'll go," Elliot said. "Then I'll be there for the phone call."

"If anyone should see you..."

"I'm going!" His eyes hardened determinedly and they realised, short of tying him up, there was no way they were going to stop him.

Finally, they agreed on their plan of action. Elliot went and changed into more suitable 'Above' clothing; namely a pair of old jeans, a sweater and jacket, and left, whilst Catherine saw Vincent off.

"I feel I should come with you," she said as they held one another in a loving embrace.

"No, Catherine. I want you here, safe. I will be very careful, you know that; but I must do this for Elliot."

"I know, but I still don't like it."

They kissed then, and Vincent reluctantly released her and started on his journey.

Joe Maxwell nearly had a fit when Elliot walked into his office. "What the hell are you doing here?" he demanded, leaping out of his seat to the door and peering worriedly around to see if anyone had spotted his unexpected visitor arrive. "For God's sake, Elliot; there's a contract out on you, y'know?"

"I know, but I had to come; we've struck lucky."

"What?"

"Pier 30 or 31; we're not sure which. JD was spied running around that area. I think she must have escaped somehow, but they caught her again..."

"You're sure about this?"

"Yes."

"Greg Hughes will be here shortly. We can trust him. I'm betting they're not going to give us a lot of time, so we can use this information to our advantage..."

Greg Hughes turned up at seven, with—of all things—a huge pizza. "Well, I figured it was gonna be a long haul," he said, "And I haven't eaten since breakfast! Anyone wanna bite?"

Both Joe and Elliot declined.

To pass the time, they discussed tactics and Greg lined up a reliable SWAT team to be ready when the call came in. Then, at eleven, the phone rang, making them all jump.

"Remember, we want to speak to her," Hughes said. "Proof of life, to confirm she's okay. If they refuse, threaten to hang up, and do it, if they don't comply."

Joe nodded, took a deep breath, lifted the receiver and at the same time, pressed the intercom button so they could all hear the incoming conversation.

"Joe Maxwell."

"Good evening, Mr Maxwell..."

Elliot froze. "I know that voice!" he hissed.

"...I hope Mr Burch is close at hand, because here come your instructions. You're to be at Pier 31 in exactly half an hour with your witness and should enter the main warehouse via the front exit. Instructions for the exchange will be arranged then."

"Hey, pal, nothing's going down until I've spoken with Jahnine Davies... Now."

"Mr Maxwell, please..."

"I'm going to give you a count of five, pal. If she isn't on the end of this phone by then, I'm hanging up and if you think I'm bluffing, try me. If it comes to a choice, I know how I'm playing this. I want proof of life. Get her, 'cos I'm starting my countdown. One..."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"Two... Time's a wasting, pal!"

There was a muffled conversation the other end, then: "All right, we're getting her. Hang on."

"Don't take too long about it... or maybe you'd like to phone me back when you've got your act together." Joe couldn't believe he was saying these things, but he had to admit, he thought they sounded pretty good...

...At the warehouse, Peter Norton turned to one of the guards. "Go and get her and be quick!"

The guard nodded and took off at a run. He unlocked the door and turned on the light. JD was lying in exactly the same position as they'd left her and looked unconscious. Going up to her, he swore as he saw the blood from both the cuts at her mouth and on her cheek, staining the gag.

Quickly, he sliced through her bonds with his knife and released the gag, then heaved her to her feet, but she was like a rag doll, so he threw her over his shoulder and carried her out, shouting: "Someone get some cold water, the bitch is still unconscious!"

He dumped her in a chair and held her upright as the driver threw a bucket of cold water into her face, then slapped her.

"Come on! Wake up!"

JD coughed, spluttered and groaned. Her whole body ached painfully and her head was throbbing. For a few moments she couldn't think where she was or even, what had happened; her only thought was of thankfulness for the trickle of water that found its way down her parched throat, as she'd had nothing to eat or drink since lunch.

"Miss Davies, kindly say something to Mr Maxwell," Norton said, pressing the conference button on the telephone, so they could all hear the conversation that was to follow.

Dazed, she simply stared at him.

One of the guards poked her. "Do as you're told!"

Then, she heard a voice coming from the speaker on the telephone.

"JD! It's Joe Maxwell! Come on honey, say something to me, there's a good girl."

"J-Joe?" Her voice was a strangled whisper.

"Come on, JD, that doesn't sound like you... Are you all right?"

"I - I can't... I hurt... s-so much..." she whispered.

And then she heard a most welcome voice, shouting at her.

"Talk to me, Sweetie-pie; come on, it's Elliot!"

She started to cry and, with one final effort got out: "I love you, Elliot... I love you—" before a guard promptly clamped his hand over her mouth to shut her up.

"So, Burch is with you... You have twenty-five minutes, Mr Maxwell," and the connection was severed...

"Jeez, Elliot... are you sure it was her? If it was, she didn't sound too good."

"Yes," he replied through clenched teeth. "I'm sure. Just wait 'til I get my hands on them...!"

"We'll handle that," Hughes said firmly. "Let's get going, I've got a flak jacket ready for you and the SWAT team will be right behind us."

In the car, Elliot removed his jacket and sweater to don the jacket, shuddering as old memories came back to haunt him. "I feel like I've trodden this road before," he said, as he pulled his sweater back on, then shouldered into the jacket.

"You realise there's an element of risk here," Hughes said.

"You mean like the jacket won't stop the bullet... or they'll aim for my head? I've already got the scars, Greg..."

In the dark shadows of night, a large figure slipped silently from hiding place to hiding place. The warehouse at Pier 30 was deserted, so Vincent was now making a careful inspection of number 31. It appeared more promising; for there were lights on inside.

On the second level he spied an open window so, he leapt for the bottom of the fire escape, hauled himself up and quietly climbed the stairs to the narrow ledge, which he carefully crept along and then successfully gained access to the inside of the warehouse.

It was filled with all manner of crates and drums, providing plenty of cover. As he moved quietly along the catwalk, he spied the kidnappers with their quarry, below and a soft growl crept past his lips when he saw the condition JD appeared to be in.

"Put her back in the store room," Peter Norton said. "And as soon as we get Burch, kill her."

"Okay, Mr Norton." The guard turned his attention to JD. "Come on, you..." He grabbed her roughly by an arm and dragged her to her feet, ignoring her as she doubled over, clutching at her right side, where the car had struck her and groaning in pain. "Don't worry," he told her conversationally, "It won't hurt for much longer..." He laughed at his own joke and paused to light a cigarette.

Above, Vincent watched the two of them come closer and made his way silently down to ground level. As the guard closed the store room door, he became aware of the fact he wasn't alone, but somehow knew it wasn't one of his partners in crime, for the hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood on end and he shivered.

Taking a deep draw on his cigarette, the guard turned and reached for his gun at the same time. The sight of what was advancing on him paralysed him for a few seconds, but then he pulled himself together and got off a couple of wild shots before Vincent was upon him. The bullets missed their intended target and pierced a couple of drums which began depositing their liquid contents on the floor in an ever increasing area. The drums were marked flammable.

There was a roar and a shriek and the guard was thrown away from the door, back towards the leaking drums. Unbalanced from the force of the blow and slipping on the oily liquid, he fell. The cigarette dropped from his mouth and there was a whooshing sound as it ignited the fluid, engulfing him in flames and allowing him one final cry before Vincent's fatal attack and the fire took their toll.

Before Vincent could get into the store room to retrieve JD, footsteps and voices were heard approaching fast and he was forced to retreat to a safe distance.

"What the hell, what was that noise? Mike! Get the fire extinguishers! Hurry!" Peter Norton shouted.

They scattered, grabbed the extinguishers, but found them to be ineffective. The fire was taking a hold. Already, nearby crates were alight and flames were licking around other drums.

"Forget it!" Norton shouted. "Dammit! Come on, up the front end; just make sure you get Burch—when he sees the flames he'll panic and come running to save his girl, he'll be an easy target!"

"Do you want me to get her?"

"No; leave her, the fire'll do our dirty work for us. Come on!"

Thick acrid black smoke billowed out from and around the drums and Vincent found his path back to JD's prison blocked by flames. He would have to work his way around the other side. Already his eyes were watering, blurring his vision and the smoke was affecting his breathing so he kept as low to the floor as possible and prayed Elliot would arrive shortly. His internal clock estimated the time to be about eleven thirty...

...In the store room, JD had heard the terrible sounds, but they had failed to register properly in her concussed mind. All she knew was she had to get out, somehow. Her eyes stung, it was hard to breathe, for smoke was coming in under the door; thick and black and, even in her dazed state, she still managed to put two and two together and come up with: FIRE!

Using the wall for support, she gained her feet and staggered towards the door; eyes streaming, coughing violently. Her hand reached out for the handle and, to her surprise, it gave. The door wasn't locked! Cautiously, she opened it a fraction, but then matters were taken completely out of her hands as there was a muffled sort of explosion and the blast slammed the door back, straight into her, knocking her against the wall to fall unconscious to the ground...

The car Elliot, Joe and Greg were in, crashed through the barrier at the docks and sped up the causeway. As they approached Pier 31 and screeched to a halt, there was a muffled explosion. Glass shattered and flames blew out through the broken windows as several drums inside the warehouse exploded together.

"Oh, my God! JD!" Elliot was half way out of the car before Joe managed to grab him.

"Elliot! Wait! Here, you'll need this!" and he placed a gun in his hand. "Keep your head down, I'll be right behind you and above all, be careful!" He turned to Greg Hughes. "Call the fire department; keep the SWAT team back, it looks like they may not been needed..." He grabbed a radio and leapt out of the car, taking off after Elliot who had disappeared inside.

As Joe reached the door, he heard a couple of shots. Going in low, he saw Elliot behind a crate and ran to join him.

"Work your way round that way, I'll go the other," Joe hissed and Elliot nodded.

They went their separate ways and carefully worked their way around, conscious of the fact that the fire was getting way out of control. More shots rang out; Elliot peered round a crate and then leapt across the gap to more cover. The smoke was getting thicker and already he could feel the heat...

Suddenly, a voice hailed him in an urgent whisper. "Elliot! This way!" It was Vincent.

Looking carefully about him, he ran to join his friend.

"Quickly, JD is this way—we must hurry before the flames get there. I made one attempt, but was interrupted by those men."

"Thank you for trying, my friend. Be careful now and lead on."

He did so and they soon reached their destination, the heat around them becoming unbearable.

The door to JD's 'prison' was almost off its hinges and Elliot dived across the gap and was inside before Vincent could blink. In the smoke filled room, with visibility almost non-existent, choking on the fumes, he literally stumbled over JD. Dropping to his knees, he pulled her over onto her back and swore as he saw the state she was in. He hugged her briefly to his chest, very conscious of the fact she was totally limp and knew he had to get her out—now.

Taking her in his arms, he staggered to his feet, turned and found the entrance blocked by none other than Peter Norton.

"Touching. Very touching, Elliot. At least you'll get to die together after all..." He raised his gun but, as he squeezed the trigger, was grabbed from behind by Vincent, who roared and pulled him out through the doorway, spun him around and launched him in the direction of the inferno, to die screaming in the flames.

"Elliot!" It was Joe's voice.

"I'm okay! I've got JD!"

"Then get out of there! The whole place is gonna go up!"

In the distance, over the roaring flames came the wail of sirens as the fire department approached.

"Vincent?"

"There's an emergency exit. Come." He led the way and, using his superior strength, crashed through out into an alleyway. "Go!" he ordered Elliot.

"What about you?"

"There is a grate just over there. I will see you back in the tunnels. Take care of JD," and with that he turned and ran into the shadows.

Elliot staggered along the alleyway and out onto the main causeway, meeting up with Joe, who appeared from the front entrance. They moved to a safe distance away, then Elliot fell to his knees to examine JD.

To his horror, he found she wasn't breathing. How long? he thought desperately. How long? He tilted her head back, pinched her nose, lowered his mouth to hers and blew gently, once, twice, and continued up to five.

Joe knelt down opposite him as Elliot then placed one hand over the other on her heart and pushed firmly, five times.

Again the whole procedure was repeated. Greg Hughes arrived, having explained what had happened, to the SWAT team and stood anxiously, waiting. Elliot tried a third time and suddenly, was rewarded with a choking gasp as JD's own lungs began to function. She coughed harshly, trying to clear her tortured lungs so she could get some air into them. It was a horrible sound, as she fought for every breath.

"Come on, honey, you can do it!" Elliot urged. "Come on!"

Her whole body shuddered with the effort; a hand clawing the air. Elliot took it in one of his and kissed it.

"Come on, JD! Come on!"

A paramedic arrived at his side and swiftly examined her face, carefully manipulating her jaw to ventilate her before placing an oxygen mask on her face. The improvement was almost immediate and Elliot heaved a huge sigh of relief as the battle for life was won.

"What's the story here?" he asked Joe.

"Kidnap victim, caught in the fire in the warehouse - "

"She wasn't breathing when I got her out, I don't know how long for..." Elliot broke in.

"Her response to treatment looks good. Any other injuries?"

"We don't know. She was hit by a car earlier in the day," Elliot added.

"Right." He gave her a quick examination, searching for broken bones. "I don't like the look of this bruising... possible fractures here... and here... let's get her to hospital." He indicated for his partner to bring a gurney over. "Anyone else hurt?"

"No. Just her. The other three are dead," Joe said matter-of-factly.

"Well, I'd better start sorting this mess out," Greg Hughes said. "I hope your girl's okay, Elliot," he said and returned to his car.

JD was lifted gently onto the gurney and covered with a blanket.

"You two coming along?" the paramedic asked.

"Yes," Elliot replied immediately. "We are."

The journey to the hospital was uneventful, although whenever they hit a severe bump, JD groaned.

"It won't be very long now," the paramedic soothed.

Elliot's gaze was fixed on her bruised and cut face. It was covered in a mixture of blood, smoke and grime. One eye was beginning to purple-up nicely, a cheek was swelling and Elliot hurt, because she hurt too. Grimly, he wondered what other injuries her clothing covered. Her jeans were torn in a couple of places and wounds had bled into the shredded fabric around them.

On arriving at their destination, JD was wheeled through to the examination room, leaving Elliot and Joe behind to book her in and provide personal details. That done, they sat and waited, then Elliot became restless, stood up and started prowling like a caged animal.

After what seemed like hours, a doctor appeared and Joe and Elliot almost leapt on him.

"Well?" they demanded. "How is she?"

"Remarkably fortunate." He studied his flipchart. "Let's see... fractured skull, fractured jaw, four fractured ribs; hairline fracture to the pelvis, cuts, abrasions, severe bruising, concussion and smoke inhalation. From some of the injuries I'd say she was beaten."

Elliot went grey and Joe gripped him arm, offering support.

"But she'll be okay, won't she Doc?"

"She should be, eventually. It'll take time and a lot of care. I've been told she was kidnapped?"

They nodded.

"Then the biggest concern will of course be her mental health. She has been through a terribly traumatic experience and will need a great deal of support."

"She'll get it, Doc, don't you worry."

"You mentioned smoke inhalation," Elliot said. "What about her lungs? Will she be able to sing again?"

"She's a singer? Mmn, I don't know," the doctor replied truthfully. "That will take time and a rigid regime of therapy."

"So what happens now?" Joe asked. "Can she be moved at all?"

"Moved? Why?"

Joe decided to exaggerate a bit. "She's a principal witness in a very important case. She's been kidnapped once... we don't want anything else to happen to her, if you get my meaning. We want to move her to a safe house—there'll be a doctor in attendance twenty-four hours a day."

"Well, I wouldn't advise it, but..."

"She can travel?" Joe persisted.

"If she must."

"Then I'll make the arrangements." He looked at Elliot. "Why don't you go sit with her?" he suggested.

"Joe... what are you up to?"

"You'll see." He turned and left them, going to a telephone.

"If you'd like to sit with her, we have her in a side room here..." The doctor led the way.

Elliot slipped in through the door and quietly went up to JD's bedside. Her delicate form looked lost amongst the stark whiteness of the bed linen. Her head was swathed in bandages, there was an i.v. in her arm and she was very pale in contrast to the bruises that were becoming more evident as time passed. Carefully, Elliot leant over and brushed her lips with his.

"Oh, JD, what have they done to you?" he whispered and tenderly took one of her hands in both of his, stroking the back of it with his thumbs.

He did not get a reply, but then he didn't really expect one, for she was unconscious.

There was a soft knock on the door and Joe came in. "All the arrangements have been made," he whispered. "As soon as Peter Alcott gets here, we're leaving. He's a doctor—Cathy's doctor, actually."

"Where are we going?"

"Below," said Joe. "It's the safest place I know of... I'm sure Father won't object, especially when he gets a look at JD."

Elliot closed his eyes for a few brief moments. "No, it'll be okay." He paused, then continued. "How much more, Joe? How much more are we expected to put up with?"

"It's nearly over, Elliot, really it is and we've all lasted the course. We may have got battered and bruised along the way, but we're not beaten and we're going to win."

They stood quietly, side by side, looking down at their latest casualty, vowing she would be the last.

At about one, Peter Alcott arrived with a private ambulance and JD was transferred to it. Peter was given all the case notes and then they left; driving to Central Park.

It was over an hour later when JD was finally placed in one of the beds in the hospital chamber. As Joe had stated, nothing had been said against her coming Below; Father deciding that now was neither the time nor the place and, when he saw the state she was in, agreed that Joe had made the right decision.

Cathy and Vincent had been there to greet them; glad that Joe and Elliot were safe and sound. "You both look exhausted," Cathy exclaimed, stepping back to scrutinise them.

"It has kinda been a long day," Joe said ruefully.

"Would you like to stay the night?" Vincent asked.

"Nah, I'll get off home, but thanks for the offer. I'll stay for cocoa next time." He hugged everyone and left.

Peter Alcott explained JD's condition to Father and left some medication; antibiotics and something for the pain—to be administered once she had regained full consciousness. Then he too, took his leave.

"Cocoa, I think, then bed for everyone," Mary suggested. "Elliot, I'll sit with JD, whilst you get some sleep."

"No, thank you, Mary, but I'll sit with her. I'm not going to let her out of my sight again."

"But you must be exhausted."

"I'll stay... The cocoa would be most appreciated though..." he smiled tentatively for the first time in hours and disappeared in the direction of the hospital chamber.

Vincent had thoughtfully cordoned off the far corner of the chamber, using some folding screens draped with blankets, to provide some extra privacy. Elliot went through, pulled a low chair up to JD's bedside and made himself comfortable.

Mary came in a little while later with his cocoa and a couple of blankets for him to ward off the chill, then affectionately, kissed the top of his head and left.

Elliot clasped his mug in both hands and stared at the contents, swirling around, before taking a sip. The drink warmed him inside and gradually he felt himself relax; wind down; but then he started to tremble as the day's events caught up with him. Putting the mug down, he once again took hold of one of JD's hands and brought it to his lips, eyes closed in concentration; totally unaware of the tears that ran down his cheeks as he willed his strength into her, so that she would come back to him.

Sometime during what was left of the night, he realised later, he must have dozed off, for he woke with a start to find he had been resting his head on the bedclothes, his hands still clutching JD's. On top of that, someone had come in and placed the two blankets around him so he didn't get cold and he hadn't heard a thing!

He felt his bones creak as he slowly straightened up and grimaced as protesting muscles reluctantly cooperated after having been in an unnatural position for so long. Elliot rubbed a hand over his eyes to wipe the sleep away and idly stroked his beard, wishing JD would soon show some improvement, then stiffened as she answered his wishes; briefly squeezing his fingers before relaxing again. Eagerly, he leant forward...

Surfacing at last from unconsciousness was a very painful experience. The first thing JD was aware of was that she hurt... all over; every inch; a dull throbbing pain. It hurt to breathe, it hurt to think. A man was in her skull hacking away at her brain with a pick-axe. Her throat was raw and, to top it all, she could hear a persistent tapping noise, way off in the distance, along with the sound of the subway.

She moved her head a fraction and thought it was about to fall off! Tears welled from her eyes and she moaned, but it was a pitiful sounding noise. Opening her eyes, she found they didn't seem to be working properly; they wouldn't focus and she began to panic, until the feel of lips on one of her hands and a soothing voice talking to her, calmed her somewhat.

"It's all right, JD. Everything's all right. You're safe now, safe with me."

She tried to form his name on her lips, but couldn't. Everything just hurt too much and she began to cry in frustration and pain.

"Don't, JD, please don't. You just have to lie still and get well again."

Something wet dripped onto the fingers of the hand he was holding. Trying once more to clear her vision, she finally saw that Elliot was crying too, with relief.

"Welcome back, Sweetie-pie," he mumbled.

Just then, Mary appeared, carrying a tray. "Well, good morning!" she said brightly. "I've brought some breakfast and something to drink. Our patient must be in real need of some refreshment." She put the tray down and smiled at JD. "I'll bet your throat is sore..."

JD blinked. She was dying for something to drink, there was a tickle in her throat that was giving her a tight feeling in her chest.

"Elliot, would you like to sit JD up for me so I can puff out the pillows and add a couple more. It will be more comfortable for her, sitting up. Take it gently, no matter what you do, it's going to hurt her."

Elliot carefully eased his arms under JD's back and shoulders.

"Make sure you support her all the while... that's it... now lift, slowly now. Hold on JD, I'm sorry, but this is going to hurt... here we go..."

Elliot very slowly eased her up so Mary could place some more pillows behind her. Searing pain ripped through JD's chest and a red curtain seemed to flap about in front of her eyes as she fought to stay conscious. In the recess of her mind, she could hear a terrible moaning sound; not realising it was her.

"Can't we give her something?" Elliot asked, his handsome features distorted by a deep frown.

"We must get something down her first, to help her throat... There, that's better, ease her back. Elliot, see if you can get this down her, it's just some water, then we'll try some broth. I'll go and get Father." She handed him a beaker and left.

Elliot placed it against JD's lips. "Come on, honey, for me. Take a few sips. I know you're in pain, but do this, for me."

No matter what she did, it hurt, but for him she did her best. The cool liquid slipped down her parched throat, making her feel a little better. When she'd drunk half of it, Elliot allowed her a little rest. JD simply lay in the crook of his arm, a hand gripping the front of his sweater, hanging on for dear life.

"W-w-wha..." she just about managed to whisper.

"Shush, don't try and talk. You've been injured pretty badly, but you will be all right," he said smiling reassuringly down at her. "I'll explain everything when you're not in so much pain and able to take it all in, okay? Now, finish this water and we'll get some of William's excellent broth down you. That'll get you on your feet in no time—it did me!"

She did as he asked and finished the water; the effort almost exhausting her. Pain was beginning to dull her mind and she started to drift away, when a new voice made her force her eyes open.

"Good morning, my dear. I won't ask how you're feeling, I think I have a pretty good idea."

She watched as the elderly man sat down on the opposite side of the bed.

"Now, perhaps if I tell you the extent of your injuries, you'll understand why you should lie quietly and let nature do the work. You have a slight concussion and fractures to your skull and jaw, that's why you probably can't see too well and why it hurts to talk. As to the rest, they were—we assume—caused when the car struck you; resulting in some broken ribs and a hairline fracture to your pelvis. Needless to say, you're practically black and blue all over; but don't worry, everything will mend. All you have to do is cooperate and do exactly as you're told. I am a doctor; Mary, here, is a nurse, so you're in good hands. Everyone addresses me as Father. Now, let me take a look at your eyes..."

Elliot went to move out of the way, but her grip on his sweater tightened still further. Father smiled.

"It's all right, Elliot, I can manage. Mmn... an improvement already on earlier this morning. Good. Let's get some broth down you and then I'll give you something for the pain."

Once again, it was Elliot who took charge. Father and Mary glanced back as they left and smiled to each other at his gentleness and care as he spoon fed his patient.

"I'm so pleased he has someone to love," Mary whispered, "And who clearly loves him too."

"Mmn."

They gave him half an hour and then came back. JD had eaten about half the broth before exhaustion took over and now lay, with her eyes closed, still within the crook of Elliot's arm, a persistent frown etched on her bruised features.

"You both look like you could do with some rest," Father said. "Mary, I think you'd better set up an I.V. for JD, then I'll administer something for the pain."

They worked quietly and efficiently. As the pain killer began to take effect, JD was heard to mumble, "Thank... you..." and the frown gradually disappeared from her face as sleep took over.

"Elliot; bed, now!" Father ordered.

"No, I'm staying, right here."

"You haven't eaten or rested properly for hours. Why not take a shower, get changed, have something to eat... we've room here, you can stretch out on the next bed so you can be here for her," Mary suggested carefully. "I'll stay until you get back so she isn't left alone."

And so the vigil began. Catherine came in with Jacob a couple of times during the day; Joe came by that evening to check on the situation, but Vincent stayed away, deeming it wise to keep his distance until JD was stronger and able to cope with the initial shock on seeing him. Elliot was disappointed, he so wanted her to meet his adopted brother, but bowed to the wisdom of the decision.

It was later that evening when JD surfaced, to hear a child's voice.

"Is she really your girl?" they were asking.

"Yes, Kipper. She's really my girl," Elliot replied softly, a smile on his tired features.

"I'm glad she's safe... Will you both stay here now... you won't go away, will you? I like having you around, you treat me like a grown up."

"We'll be here quite a while. JD needs a lot of time to recover."

"I'm sorry she got hurt, that was bad of those men to do that. I bet she's really pretty under those bandages."

"She's beautiful," Elliot sighed. "Both inside and out."

JD was moved by these words; the way he said them, with such depth of feeling and her heart swelled with love for him.

"Do you love her very much?"

"Heaps and heaps... Hey, what's with all this questioning, Kip?"

"I overheard Father once, telling Mary that he wished you had someone to love, like Vincent has Catherine. I was just checking to see if you have, now."

Elliot laughed at that, a deep rich sound. "And are you satisfied?" he asked.

"Nearly..."

"Nearly? What else can I say to convince you?"

"Oh, nothing; you've got to kiss her, then that'll show everyone it's for real."

Elliot spluttered. "We-ll..." he began. "When JD's feeling better, I'll do that—"

"In front of everybody?"

"If you want."

"Wow!"

JD decided it was time to make some noise and warn them she was awake, but the words that came out were not quite what she intended. "D-don't I have a say i-in this matter...?" Her voice was barely audible, but it was enough to carry.

They both had the decency to blush. "Oops," Kipper said.

"Hey... Sweetie-pie... eavesdropping on our man-to-man conversation, eh?" Elliot winked at Kipper, then got up and leant over her. "A private showing for you Kip... Of things to come," he finished softly in JD's ear and promptly gave her a soft, yet lengthy kiss on her bruised lips.

"W-wow!" Kipper was heard to breathe.

"Convinced now?" Elliot asked when he finally turned to look at him.

"Yeah!"

"Then would you be so kind, my young friend, to run to the kitchen and ask William for some of his lovely broth for JD?"

"Sure! For you, Elliot, I'd do anything!" and he dashed off as fast as his legs could carry him.

Elliot turned and looked down at JD, his eyes crinkling up in a soft, teasing smile. "And how much of that conversation did you hear?" he asked.

"Enough." Her voice was very weak and husky.

"I see... You look a little better, are you in any pain? Can I get you anything?"

With an effort she lifted a hand and stroked his cheek. "I love you so much... it really does hurt, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

"Answer my question," he ordered, taking her hand and kissing the palm.

"Yes, I am in some discomfort, but I'll survive, I have so far..." she shuddered and winced, fighting back tears as her memory started to return. To avoid the nightmare, she looked around her, seeing for the first time, her strange surroundings. "W-where on earth are we?"

"A safe place; the place I went to find when I left you that first time. We're under New York City. It's a maze of tunnels and chambers. I couldn't believe it when I saw them for the first time, but I'll tell you all about it later."

"You look very tired, I'm sorry... it's my fault."

"No it's not. I'm just making sure we never get separated again—" he stopped as he heard footsteps approach. It was Catherine, carrying a tray.

"Hello, JD, you look a little better this evening."

"Thank you."

"William—he's our cook—says he expects you to clear the entire bowl, or there'll be trouble." She set it down on the small table beside the bed. "You doing the honours, Elliot?"

"But of course."

"When you've eaten, Father said he'll give you another shot to kill the pain so you can get another good night. I'll leave you two in peace; Vincent will be waiting. Take care." She leant over and gave JD a kiss on the cheek, then left.

"I keep hearing that name; but I haven't seen him yet," JD said quietly.

"You'll get to meet him when you're stronger. He's a very special person, JD, very special. Come on, eat up..."

A week passed. Joe reported that Rita had gone missing and now, he realised that she had been the new leak in the office. Preliminary hearings started and Elliot had to make an appearance. JD fretted all the time he was away and did not rest easy. Her nights now, were troubled by bad dreams, brought on when she got a good look at herself when Mary and Catherine bathed her and she saw the extent of the bruising.

Late Friday night, Elliot took matters into his own hands. He waited until everyone had settled down for the night, then turned to JD.

"Are you ready?" he asked softly.

"Where are we going?" Physically, she had improved somewhat and her voice was stronger, and what Elliot described being huskily sexy.

"Somewhere I guarantee you'll get a good night's sleep." He pulled back the bedclothes and lifted her up into his arms.

"See, it doesn't hurt much at all, now," she said, snuggling up against him.

"Good, now keep quiet," he added as they crept from the hospital chamber.

As soon as he arrived at his final destination, JD said: "This is your chamber, isn't it?"

"Uh-huh, how did you know?"

"I can feel your essence in here... things that are you... it's lovely. Heavens! Are you telling me you have that huge bed all to yourself?"

"Not any more, honey."

She giggled as he placed her on it and pulled the bedclothes up around her, to ward off the chill of the tunnels, before stripping off his clothes and slipping between the sheets to join her.

"God, but you are so handsome," she breathed as she snuggled up against him, running a hand up his arm to his shoulder, before stretching up to kiss him.

"Now, stop that!" he said raggedly and draped an arm around her waist. "My arm's not too heavy, is it?"

"No," she sighed and obediently settled down, revelling in the security of having his body stretched out next to hers.

Silence reigned for a few minutes.

"JD," he gently stroked her cheek. "Tell me what happened; what they did to you." He felt her stiffen. "Remember, we said there'd be no secrets and you really need to talk about it, to share the experience with someone, to help you get over it." He was using his most persuasive tone, in an effort to get his own way.

"I-I don't want to talk about it... not yet."

"JD— "

"Doesn't the evidence speak for itself?" she snapped, pulling her nightgown viciously down off her right shoulder to expose the extensive bruising.

"JD— "

"Not enough for you? You want to see more?" She went to pull the nightgown down completely, but Elliot stayed her hand.

"Don't," he said. "Don't do this, please. I'm sorry." Gently he pulled her gown back up and pulled her firmly against him. "I'm sorry," he repeated as she buried her head against his shoulder. Elliot felt her tremble and kissed the top of her head. "Sleep," he whispered. "I'll be here with you, just sleep."

He felt her gradually relax as sleep claimed her and satisfied that she had at last settled down, let his mind wander; random thoughts going nowhere and everywhere; a jumbled mess that he made no attempt to sort through—not yet at any rate. Eventually though, he dozed off, only to be woken some time later by JD, restlessly stirring in his arms.

Immediately attentive he carefully brushed her hair off her forehead and began to whisper soothingly. She moaned, but then settled down again and Elliot heaved a sigh of relief. He intended to remain awake the rest of the night, but succumbed once again to his body's need for sleep.

There was panic first thing Saturday morning when Mary went into the hospital chamber and found JD's bed empty, but she quickly realised that as the bed next to it was also vacant, she must be with Elliot, probably in his chamber. Deciding to confirm her suspicions, she turned and bumped into Vincent.

"Is anything wrong, Mary?"

"No, I don't think so, I'm going to check. JD's not in the hospital chamber, so I'm assuming, as Elliot isn't there either, they are in his chamber, but I must see... If it turns out she's wandered off after another nightmare..." Her voice trailed off.

"Then let us see."

They travelled together to Elliot's chamber and Vincent gently called his name. After a couple of minutes, Elliot appeared at the entrance, a thick dressing gown pulled hastily around his body; his hair dishevelled from sleep.

"Anything wrong?" he asked, concerned.

"Mary and I are making an assumption that JD is with you, as she's not in the hospital chamber," Vincent said.

Elliot smiled. "Yeah, she is; sleeping soundly I might add. I'm sorry, I should have left a note or something, but I just wanted to move her to somewhere she felt secure and safe and not have any nightmares."

"It will only be a temporary respite, Elliot," Mary said. "Unless she talks about the incident and gets the experience out of her system, eventually those nightmares will return, even when sleeping in your arms."

"I know that; but she won't talk. I've tried... God how I've tried... but she just clams right up."

"Perhaps Catherine could help. I'll get her to speak with her."

"Yes, thanks, Vincent."

"Elliot, would you see JD takes these pills, now?"

He nodded. "Okay. See you later, at breakfast." He turned and disappeared back into his chamber.

"That was Vincent, wasn't it?" JD said. "Why didn't you bring him in so I could meet him?"

"I thought you were still asleep."

"Everyone talks about him, yet you won't let me see him, why not?"

Elliot went and sat on the bed, sighing. "He... doesn't look quite like you and me... he felt it best you recover somewhat before meeting him."

"What do you mean, he doesn't look like us? He can't be that disfigured, I've heard the children, they worship him."

"No, I wouldn't say he was disfigured either, he's... well... different. Just be patient, I'm sure it won't be too long now before you get to meet him."

"He has a rather sexy voice," JD teased.

Elliot raised an eyebrow at her. "Are you insinuating I haven't?" he replied, obligingly rising to the bait.

Boldly she slipped a hand inside his dressing gown to caress his chest. "I find everything about you incredibly sexy," she responded.

"Hey lady, don't start anything you—or I—can't finish," he husked, leaning forward and nuzzling her neck. "I don't think my body would take the disappointment..." and his lips fastened on hers for a long, lingering kiss which, when it finished, left them both breathing heavily. "I'd better go and take a long cold shower."

She lay back and pouted up at him.

"Now, stop that! Here, take these pills."

JD took the offered glass of water and started to do as he ordered.

"Feel up to a short walk after breakfast?" Elliot asked watching her as she swallowed the pills he placed in her other hand.

"Okay."

"Good. I'll take you on a little sight-seeing tour."

Elliot was as good as his word. After breakfast, he helped JD wash and dress, then lifted her into his arms and headed for the Great Falls.

JD's gasp at the sight that met her eyes brought a smile to Elliot's lips.

"Elliot... it... it's beautiful! Please, put me down..."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes... please."

Gently, he let her down, placing her on her feet, but kept his arms around her, offering her support. JD held onto him, feeling a little light-headed, but after a few moments her equilibrium settled down and she tentatively took a few steps.

"Elliot... this place... it's magnificent..."

"It's peaceful and soothing... I found I began to heal after spending time here, just sitting, letting things wash over me and having someone to offer a shoulder..."

"Vincent?"

"Yes. JD..."

"Don't spoil it, Elliot, please."

"JD..."

She turned to face him, unshed tears sparkling brightly in her dark eyes.

"They were chasing you, you stopped at a phone booth and called Joe..." he prompted.

Her bottom lip trembled. "T-they grabbed me, hit me and threw me in the trunk of a car. It was dark in there and a rough ride. We arrived at the docks, they dragged me out and put me in this store room; four walls, windows high up, no chair, no mattress, nothing. I sat there for hours, then decided I wanted to go to the bathroom, so I made lots of noise and a goon came and got me.

"I thought I was so smart, getting out of the window and escaping, I was doing pretty well you know..." she tossed her head proudly. "Even when they got me in their sights and threatened to shoot me, I kept going because I knew they were going to kill me anyway... Then they got the car..." She shuddered and closed her eyes, remembering it all in slow motion. "I guess that's how I got most of these injuries... it was a glancing blow and it hurt, but I got up and I made for the entrance, but they caught me... The driver... he... he hit me and he kept on, h-hitting and k-kicking me..."

The tears overflowed and ran down her cheeks. Elliot gathered her close in his arms, giving her the strength to carry on, but he was filled with anger at what he was hearing and unconsciously tightened his hold on her further.

"He called me names and he wouldn't s-stop hitting me... but someone finally stopped him... I don't remember much after that... just pain... God the pain... I've never felt... Then, your voice shouting at me down the phone, it's all so hazy... then smoke... a terrible sound... then nothing, until I woke up, here..."

She clung tightly to the front of his sweater.

"Why did they want you so badly?" she asked, her voice rising slightly. "Why? What did you do that made them treat me that way; do this to me?"

Elliot looked around for somewhere to sit and spying a suitable place, guided JD there. He sat down beside her on the large slab of rock that was conveniently positioned against the cavern wall and put an arm around her. It was going to be a painful story, but he had promised her there would be no secrets between them.

"I guess it's time you heard the story; about who I am and what happened. Some of it isn't pretty and a lot of people have lost their lives. All I ask is that you hear me through to the end, okay?"

JD's eyes grew wide at this and she wondered what on earth he was going to tell her.

"Elliot Burch wasn't the name I was christened with; I changed it because I thought I would get on better in my chosen career if I did, so I became Elliot Burch. I guess you could say I created a whole life for him; all my qualifications, everything, are in that name. I'm an architect and structural engineer and, up until about six or seven months ago I still owned several companies, the main one being the Burch Development Corporation..."

He went on to tell her about how he first met Cathy, their relationship, the strange happenings, the secrets that surrounded her that involved this world and its inhabitants. He told her of his ambitions, his blindness and how Cathy made him see again. Then his voice changed and JD knew they had reached the dark side of the story.

"There exists a huge organisation, with its fingers in big business, every government department, the police, you name it. I guess in a way, it almost runs the country; by way of blackmail, infiltration, murder... A man who worked for them—an accountant—was aware of how precarious his position was, so he kept a secret book of his own, written in a complex code, of all the crooked and shady deals that went on, from payments to awarding building contracts to certain companies, to the murder of people who got in their way. It was all in a very intricate code, and he was using it as insurance to make sure nothing happened to him.

"He was murdered, but not before he managed to pass the book on to Joe Maxwell, who nearly died as well. Cathy approached me because of my various contacts, to give her a hand in getting the code cracked. She'd worked out two abbreviations and when I heard what companies they were and who was involved, I tried to keep out of it, but in the end, I gave in and did the best I could. The organisation didn't know that I'd got the book, they thought Cathy still had it and they kidnapped her. They tortured her to try and get the whereabouts of the book from her, but she never told them I had it. Vincent tried to rescue her and that was when they found out about him.

"It turned out that Cathy was pregnant. Gabriel, having seen Vincent, decided he wanted the child, so he kept Cathy alive until she gave birth then ordered a doctor to kill her. We all thought he had, but we were wrong.

"I didn't know at the time that she still lived and neither did Vincent, but Gabriel had Cathy's son and Vincent knew he had to rescue him. That was when I met Vincent. He came to me one night and asked me to help.

"I didn't want to. I'd been trying to find Cathy myself, using a detective agency run by a man I was proud to call friend..." Elliot paused to get a grip on his emotions. "Gabriel attempted to warn me off by taking me apart piece by piece. He organised the firing of a hotel and casino in which over two hundred people died and... the night Cleon Manning quit on me, because of the danger—not to himself, but to his family—Gabriel had him killed too."

He stopped again as he saw the stunned look on JD's face, but she said no more than, "Go on," very quietly.

"Well, I decided to help Vincent. We walked into an ambush, Vincent saved my life, but was shot. We escaped, he down here, me back to my office, but I was arrested shortly after, accused of the murder of the District Attorney and put in jail. Then, my lawyer quit on me. Gabriel had kidnapped his daughter. God, it was like a never-ending nightmare. That night, I finally got to meet this evil man; at Cathy's grave." He shuddered at the memory. "It's something I'll never forget; God I am so ashamed now, when I remember. But in a way, everything Gabriel said was true... I was so desperate to save my company and myself, I agreed to his demands. He said, if I gave him Vincent, he'd give it all back to me... and more... and I agreed."

His voice was barely audible now, but he drew strength from the squeeze of JD's hand on his.

"I set up the meeting, convinced I was doing the right thing because, like I said, in a way, although Gabriel twisted everything around, everything he'd said had been true, but at the last minute, I knew I couldn't do it; I would never have been able to live with myself, besides which, Cathy loved Vincent. What would she have thought of me for doing it? I couldn't bear that she would think badly of me; that I was the one who betrayed him. Added to that was the fact that I didn't trust Gabriel. What was to prevent him from killing me too. Too many people had already lost their lives and I'd always considered myself one of the good guys, so I went prepared, just in case, wearing a flak jacket and... I took the bullet that was meant for Vincent.

"That isn't quite the end though. We'd rendezvoused on this ship and we were under fire... I don't remember too much about it, but I know I told Vincent to leave me. He wouldn't, he picked me up and we leapt overboard into the water. Gabriel had rigged the ship with explosives and blew it up, just as we jumped. Vincent told me later I was wrenched from his grasp and although he looked for me, he couldn't find me and thought I'd died. The rest you near enough know; you found me..."

Elliot dared to look at her then, attempting to fathom her reaction to his story; of what she now knew of him.

"All those people... dead; because of that book?"

"Amongst other things. That book contains names, dates, addresses; it's an absolute gold mine of information and a lot of people in high places are implicated. It makes the Watergate Scandal look like a Sunday School outing! JD, please don't think badly of me..."

"I don't, Elliot. Big businessmen are ruthless; they have to be to survive, but you've changed, you're not the same person any more. Perhaps... perhaps you're now the person you were meant to be, rather than the one you initially created." She paused. "It must... it must have been very lonely."

Elliot closed his eyes briefly. "I thought I didn't need anyone. I could buy whatever I wanted, but you were right, you can't buy friendship, or loyalty, or... love. I had a hundred guys ready and waiting to stab me in the back; trample me underfoot if I dropped my guard, or stumbled. When I look back now, I wonder how I survived those years. I know one thing; I'm never going to go back to being that way. I have friends now and it feels really good; secure."

The deep sincerity in his voice almost made JD cry, but she fought them back to ask tentatively, "I... I hope I count as one of your friends." She looked up at him from under her long, dark lashes.

"I consider you more than a friend, JD."

Her eyes closed as his lips fastened on hers and she gave into the delicious sensations she felt as his hands caressed her; one moving sensuously to the back of her neck.

A discrete cough brought them both back to reality. Elliot broke the kiss and looked up to see Catherine approaching, a fidgeting bundle in her arms.

"If you want me to leave, I can," she teased, "but you said you wanted me here at ten thirty, so here I am."

"No, come on over, Cath." He returned his attention to JD. "You keep enquiring when you're going to meet Vincent. This is the first step. You know Cathy, well, we'd both like you to meet hers and Vincent's son, Jacob." He stood up and moved out of the way to allow Catherine to sit down beside her.

"Perhaps you'd like to hold him?" Catherine offered.

"I - I'm not very good with babies," JD stammered as Catherine promptly took the reply as an affirmative and handed Jacob over, aiding her in making sure she held him correctly.

JD found herself looking down into a pair of incredibly bright blue eyes. He was a beautiful baby and he was clearly a very happy and content one, although at that moment he was throwing his arms around and kicking his feet, gurgling and talking away to himself. "He's lovely..." She smiled at Cathy, then looked up at Elliot, proudly showing off the fact that she was coping, holding a baby. "Isn't he lovely, Elliot?" she asked, but her breath suddenly caught in her throat as she saw the strange expression appear on his face, and she coloured fiercely as she realised what was going through his mind: that he wished it was theirs.

He came to her then and knelt down in front of her, offering Jacob a finger, which his small hand gripped with surprising strength. "Yes," he replied, his eyes fastening on hers, "he is."

Cathy noticed the look that passed between them and secretly smiled to herself. Yes, Elliot was definitely becoming domesticated, that was certain! She couldn't wait to tell Vincent.

"He's getting a big boy now," Cathy said proudly. "We have to keep quite an eye on him now he's got so adept at crawling. His vocabulary is quite large as well. Jacob, say hello to JD."

Jacob chuckled instead, turned his head and looked at Elliot, grinning broadly.

"El-lot," he said. "El-lot."

"Yes, that's right," Elliot confirmed, and this..." he pointed to JD, "... is JD. Come on, say it for me: J-D."

"Jady," Jacob obliged and everyone smiled, enjoying his success.

"Yes! That's it, JD."

"Jady!" And, before anyone could stop him, he thrust out a hand and grabbed a handful of her hair.

Cathy came to the rescue. "Jacob, stop that! It's all very well doing that to your father, but not to anyone else! Now let go at once."

In amongst this was tickling and giggling and Jacob finally did as he was told.

"He likes beards as well," Elliot informed JD as she was finally released and Jacob was back in Catherine's arms.

Cathy studied them. "If you're ready, Vincent's waiting."

JD craned her neck to see if she could spot him, but if he was near them, he was very well hidden in the shadows. "Where?" she asked.

"To those who don't know him, or do not understand, Vincent can be frightening, but he's one of the most caring, gentle people I know. His humanity surpasses understanding, considering what he has had to endure in his life, but if you can accept him, you will never regret it," Elliot said. "JD, I'd like you to meet Vincent."

He held her hand tightly as a large figure detached itself from the cavern wall and approached the little group slowly. Even from this distance JD could see that he was very tall and broad, and the cloak he wore enhanced this even more. He looks pretty normal to me, she thought and then her eyes widened as she saw the sapphire eyes staring out of the leonine features and she swallowed a little nervously.

JD admitted his features were a shock, but not of horror, more of wonder, for in his own way, he was beautiful. There was nothing sinister or evil in what she saw, if anything, his expression was rather apprehensive. He was afraid of her not accepting him; of her rejection.

"JD, I'm pleased to meet you at last and am glad you're up and about now." His voice had that deep gravelly and sexy sound that she'd heard over the last couple of weeks.

"Thank you. I've been wanting to meet you for some time, too. How do you do." She held out her free hand.

Vincent hesitated a moment, and JD saw the reason why as he tentatively took it in one of his. Claws? she thought, and is that fur? But she refrained from asking the one thousand and one questions flying through her mind and smiled up at him instead.

That seemed to break the ice and everyone started to relax. They spent a pleasant hour or so chatting about various subjects until JD began to tire. Elliot promptly decided that she should return to their chamber to rest and the gathering drew to a close.

Elliot settled her on the bed, covering her with a thick patchwork quilt and then sat down beside her. Neither spoke, but simply held hands, enjoying the quiet and close proximity of each other.