One body slumped over the dinning table, head resting on papers, the other slumped along the couch, arm dangling over the rest, body leaning precariously close to the edge. A slight glow oozed from the laptop screen dimly lighting the room, the occupants having long since fallen asleep. It had been yet another late night after work when the two "investigators" had started scanning papers, making notes and plotting to catch the person responsible for the disappearing monies. Two weeks of research and planning hadn't turned up many leads, in fact they only had three possible suspects.

Finally rolling too much towards the edge the gently slumbering woman fell onto the floor startling her companion. "Ouch, what happenedÉ" the now disturbed girl looked around trying to recall where she was "why'd you let me fall asleep Lian, you could have woke me up" she accused rubbing the sleeping sand from her eyes.

"HuhÉ" Lian mumbled struggling to come form some idea of what was going on "Oh, well I guess I would have if I was awake, guess I passed out too" she replied, looking around for the clock wondering just how long they'd been out.

"Well I suppose that's a fair enough excuse" Sabrina grinned back, noticing that it was now three am. They'd been asleep for the best part of three hours. "SHIT! Harry's going freak, I should have been home hours ago. Can you give me a lift home?"

"Um, sure, sorry, errÉ I'll grab the keys" Lian replied hastily leaping from the table and pacing into her room, reaching over to the dresser, snagging her set of car keys and walking back out, "Well as it's rather late, why not stay here, save us both the hassle. You can take my bed, and I'll sleep here".

"UmmÉ no, that's ok, I wouldn't want to trouble you any, it's ok, if you can just give me a lift home, or to the bus stop, I'll go home" she said wishing she didn't have to go out into the cold night. She was nice and warm in the apartment and the thought of trudging through the cold winter weather was not at all appealing.

"Don't be silly, it's no trouble at all, in fact I'd be happier if you stayed, I hate driving in this weather, so you'd be doing me a favor, honest, please stayÉ" Lian gently pleaded, hoping her guest would give in.

"Mmm, ok, but I'm staying on the couch, you're way to tall for this thing" Sabrina grinned slapping the armrest "one other problem, I haven't got any clothesÉ"

"Oh, well I can lend you a shirt, or I can sneak into Mary's room and snaffle one of hers, you're about her size" she answered kicking herself for not realizing the smaller problems in having Sabrina stay over. Though she was a little surprised at how happy she was at the thought of the young girl spending the night. "As for where we're sleeping, I told you where I'm sleeping, so unless you intend on joining me, then the discussion is over, you're in my bed, and I'm here. Now I'll go get changed and leave a shirt out for you while you call Harry and let him know where you are" she finished off walking away. Thankful that she wasn't facing the girl, as a slight blush had started to creep up her neck at the thought of the two of them snuggled up on the couch.

Sabrina picked up the phone, called her uncle and told him what had happened and that she'd be staying over, as it was too late now to come home. Then sat down on the sofa and waited patiently while Lian got changed, surprised when seconds later she emerged from the bedroom wearing a pair of Scooby Doo boxers and white T-shirt. Also feeling a slight heated flush on her neck as she looked up the tall scantly dressed form before her. "UghÉ thanks for this, I appreciate it".

"Eh, no worries, happy to do it, I really don't feel like driving tonight. Did you want a hot drink before turning in, I'm having a hot chocolate, so if you'd like oneÉ" she trailed off wandering into the kitchen and pulling a mug off the wall.

"Yeah sure, that'd be nice thanks, I'll just go get dressed" Sabrina answered passing through the bedroom door, grateful to be out of sight, releasing a breath she didn't know she was holding.

Lian stood in the kitchen placing two cups on the bench, thinking about the recent nights she'd spent with Sabrina trying to help Harry. But with the nature of their work, it'd been a little more difficult to get the time to do much. Then when they did get the chance more often than not they spent the time finding out about each other. Lian had learnt that Sabrina was enrolled at UBC to do a short course in Journalism, that she'd left Toronto to get away from one or two personal matters and that when Harry had suggested coming back to Vancouver with him, it seemed like the perfect solution. Sabrina likewise had discovered a few minor snippets of information about Lian, like her distrust of others she didn't know, her need for personal space and that her work/holiday visa was nearly finished.

Hearing the creaking of the floor Lian looked up to see Mary stumbling into the living room "what on earth are you doing up so early?" she asked.

"Sorry, did we wake you up?" she inquired in a low voice. "Actually I only just, oh hang on, make that we, only just woke up. Sabrina and I fell asleep, and she's staying in my room for what's left of the night, then I'll take her home first thing in the morning".

"No, it's ok, I just got up to get a drink of water. How's the project going anyway? Any luck yet?" Mary replied taking a glass from the cupboard and pouring some orange juice into it.

"Well, we've got a couple of suspects, but nothing substantial yet" she answered noticing Sabrina walking back into the room wearing the White Sox shirt she'd left out for her, also noting how big it was on the smaller woman, "Heh, cute, that one ok? Mary's up, so if you'd rather one of hers, I'm sure she can help you out".

Sabrina had found the shirt on the edge of the bed, slipped into it without any problems, it being about three sizes too big. "NO! Umm, I mean no, that's ok, this one's fine, thank you though just the same" she replied wondering why she'd just blurted that out with such assertion.

"Ok you two, get some sleep, you're both on first shift. See you later on" Mary grumbled finishing her glass of juice, placing it in the sink and pacing back into her room and shutting the door.

Pouring the water into cups, stirring the drinks then passing one over to Sabrina "Guess she's right, here's you're winter warmer, I'll see you in a few hours, if you need anything, just ask, ok?"

"Thanks, umm sure, but I think we've covered everything, kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, yep all present and accounted for" she grinned and headed off to the bedroom "thanks again for this, I appreciate it".

"No problem, sleep well mate" Lian smiled climbing onto the couch and curling up ready to catch a few hours sleep, completely unprepared for what was to come.

**********

As the two bodies slowly drifted off into the land of Morpheus one destined for sweeter dreams, the other for a ritual string of nightmares and pain. Roiling in a state of confusion Lian struggled to come to any understanding of the things flashing before her eyes, swords and battlefields of ancient times, marshes and burning cottages of a closer age. The feelings of completeness then desolation. Of safety and security then of betrayal and hurt. One-minute feeling as though she was in the home she'd always known and loved the next of being lost, of not knowing where she belonged.

Eventually the dreams calmed down, allowing her to focus more clearly on the settings. They all had a common thread, one person watching as another was killed before their eyes. One of a dark haired man as a woman with a golden mane was ran through with a sword. Another as a young blonde girl was made to watch, a raven-haired woman was executed before her. So much pain, so much hurt, worst of all, so much anger at these acts. Coming closer to consciousness Lian stirred, trying to focus on what the dreams were showing her, and whom they were showing. Flashes of a mans face, first at as a young man, then with a few character lines, lastly as a gentleman in middle age. This last image stayed the longest with the echoing voice rumbling through her body "you know who we are, try to remember, don't forget us, your destiny and safety depend on it".

"What? Who? Huh?" Lian sat up startled by the night's dream, frantically trying to remember all that she'd seen. Rubbing her eyes she looked around for something to write this all down on, finding the note pad on the table from the last night's work, she quickly scribbled down what she remembered and added a few diagrams. Placing the pad back on the coffee table sat back and focused on just what she had 'seen'.

Looking at the clock on the wall she noted it was time to be getting up anyway. Walking into the kitchen and putting the coffee on she paced back over to her bedroom door intending to use the bathroom, without thinking she opened the door and walked in. Before her stretched out on the bed was what she could only describe as the most beautiful sight she'd ever seen. Sabrina was laid from one corner of the bed diagonally across to the other. Hair fanned out, arms hugging a pillow tightly to her chest, and a dreamy smile on her face.

Standing in the doorway Lian just looked on in astonishment for what seemed like an eternity, then suddenly coming to her senses she realized that if her guest chose to awake now, that it would not look good at all. "Oh man, I've got to get my head on straight, this can't be happening, I'm notÉ" ÔOr am I?Õ she queried herself silently. Not finding any immediate answers she quietly picked up her uniform and slipped into the bathroom, closing the door and running the shower, she stripped out of her pajamas and stepped into the warm water.

**********

"Wake up, Sabrina, wake up, you have to get moving" Lian shook the sleeping girl, kicking herself for getting sidetracked in thought while showering.

"Hmm, no, go away" she grunted rolling over in bed trying to fall back into the pleasant dreamscape.

"If you don't get out of my bed right this instant and into that shower, I'm going toÉ" Lian started, then realizing she didn't have a punishment to use as a threat. 'Oh great one Einstein, what are you gonna do, threaten to kiss her' "whoa, where'd that come from?" she asked herself. "Come on sleepy head, time to get up, or a certain Uncle of yours is going to be VERY angry".

"Mmm, don't care, not moving" the slumbering form answered.

'Ok, come on Lian, think of something to get this kid out of bed before we're really late'. She looked around the room, noticing that Sabrina's legs were sticking out from under the sheets, two very exposed naked legs. "Oh yeah, that'd do nicely" she mused to herself, walking out to the kitchen and returning moments later with two very cold small objects cupped in her hands. Striding round to the edge of the bed nearest to the targets, she took a cube in each hand, leaning in and placing the ice right on the back of Sabrina's knees and dragging them quickly down to her toes.

"YEOOOOOWWWW! What on earth, who? What?" Sabrina shot up in bed, now fully awake, spinning around she spotted Lian laughing at the end of the bed, and glared right at her. "That was not nice at all, you could have just shook me awake you know".

"Well I tried that, but you wouldn't get up. That and as we're running out of time, this seemed a pretty good chance of getting a result" Lian managed to answer through the huge sobs of laughter 'not to mention I got to play a small prank on you for the same price' she thought to herself.

"What do you mean time, it's onlyÉ" looking at her watch Sabrina saw that it was now 7:30, they were due into work at 8:30 "holy shit, we're late!"

"I told you soÉ" Lian chuckled at the expression on her young friends face. Extending her arm and jerking her out of the bed with such force that she came face to chest with her, then becoming acutely aware how close they were standing muttered "Come on, there's fresh towels out for you, and I'll have your breakfast on the table when you're out".

Also noting that they were very close, Sabrina kept her eyes focused on her feet, only looking to her hands when she realized that Lian hadn't let go yet. Staring at her hands, she couldn't help but have a feeling of déjà vu, that she'd felt and seen this before. Slowly looking up into the face that was before her, lips moving, saying words she wasn't hearing. Focusing more closely on her eyes, she suddenly gasped 'those eyesÉ they'reÉ they'reÉ those eyes' was all she could think as she came crashing to the ground, pulling Lian down with her.

Asking if that was ok, that she'd left out the linens and would get her breakfast Lian was beginning to wonder if the young girl was hearing anything that she'd said. The girls' eyes were glazed over and distant. Just then she began to slip to the floor. "Good lord, whatÉSabrina?" was all she managed to get out before tucking herself around the girl and fell to the floor with a deafening thud. Unwrapping her prized possession and looking onto the face, she gently called to her, shaking her "hey there, come on, my cooking isn't that bad, no oneÕs diedÉ yet".

Within moments the smaller woman came too, opening her eyes and looking straight into two very concerned mist colored ones, "oh, I'm so sorry, I, umm, sorry".

"Ah, it's ok, but if you didn't want me to fix breakfast for you, you could have just said, my cooking is not that bad" Lian joked wondering just what had happened.

Giggling at the implications Sabrina stood dusting herself off "Umm, well I'll be sure to do that next time. Sorry about that, I don't know what happened, I guess I passed out"

"So'k. As long as you are ok. Now we'd better get moving before your Uncle has both our heads" she replied standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I'll be out in a few minutes" she answered padding into the bathroom, glad to be alone to think about what had just happened.

********

The lunch session having finished thirty minutes ago, Lian was resting against the back wall of the kitchen sipping a very cold glass of lemon water, pondering on the mornings events, the plans they'd been making to catch the thief, and the general meaning of life.

This mornings events were a constant agitation to her mind. It wasn't often that someone stayed over in the apartment with Mary and her, and when it someone did, it was a close friend or family member. The funniest part was, it seemed quite natural that Sabrina was there, and Lian was not at all surprised to find herself a little disappointed at the thought that she wouldn't be there tonight. She had in fact become rather fond of Harry's niece, "the little trouble maker", they'd gotten along pretty well from day one, a couple of things bugged her though, like Sabrina's incessant babbling, it seemed that the girl could talk about any and everything.

Sitting there, mentally miles away from the busy restaurant she hadn't heard Liz calling her from the front of the kitchen. Suddenly snapping to when Liz and one of her karate classmates Hank were leaning over the top of her.

"Yo! Lian, anyone home???" Hank asked nearly shouting at the seated woman.

"Ugh, yeah I'm here, sorry, I was thinking about something" Lian answered slowly standing up.

"Well that's evident, gods girl you were miles away. Anyway, your friend here wanted a word, so I'll leave you to it" Liz chuckled as she strolled back to front service area.

"Heh, well it's a nice place to holiday, but I'm not sure I should spend so much time there. Now what can I do for you mate?" she asked.

"Well actually it's what I can do for you. Did you get my email?" he prodded.

"Mmm, yep, think soÉ Oh no, I forgot, shoot when is it?" Lian instantly remembering the karate competition and that she was supposed to be going to it.

"It's ok, I took the liberty of holding you a seat, besides which there's plenty of room in the bus. It's this weekend. I'll pick you up at eight am, that ok?" he laughed noticing his young friend taking in all the information whilst mentally kicking herself for being caught off guard.

"Yeah, that's fine, thanks Hank, I appreciate it" she answered.

"No problem, look here's my number, let me know if anything changes or if you can't make it, otherwise I'll see you Saturday morning at eight" he replied turning and heading out the way he'd come in.

"Thanks bud, I'll see you then" she returned watching the big burly man leave. Hank was at least six-foot-six, deep brown hair in a crew cut and hazel eyed. How he'd become involved with the karate class she didn't know, but he was a good fighter and an honest guy, that going a long way in her eyes. 'Hmm, a day of watching others sparring and testing their limits, could be fun' she thought walking round the corner and bumping into Sabrina.

"Oh hey, I was just coming to look for you" she grinned as the cook shook herself out thought.

"Well I guess you found me then huh, what can I do for you?" Lian replied.

"I was wondering what time you were going homeÉ I'm nearly finished here, and I thought maybe we could go grab a drink or something" she asked, shocked at how nervous she was at asking such a simple question.

"Ok, why not, I'm almost done here, should only be another half hour or so. Umm, where'd you want to go?" she answered having the strange feeling that something between them was changing, but not knowing what it was.

"Cool, how about Ryan's, down on the beach front, I've heard it's pretty good down there"

"Okay, sounds good to meÉ Uh" Lian answered trying to remember which bar it was, then realizing there was only one bar down that way, and that it must be the same bar that her and the others were in a few weeks back, "Um, actually, maybe another one would be better".

"Why, from what I've heard from Joe it's a nice spot, plenty of things happening there" she queried wondering why Lian had had such a sudden change in mind.

"Oh, nothing, sure if you want to go there, that's fine" she answered not wanting to have to explain exactly why she didn't want to go back there, 'Well it's not like you're going to be remembered or run into that girl, whoever she was' she thought to herself.

"Great, I'll meet you here in a half hour, it's a date" she enthused, suddenly catching on to what she'd said, "Umm, well you know what I mean"

Laughing at the small slip up and wondering just what Joe had told her, Lian nodded and returned to her duties, looking forward to being finished and headed out.

*********

Taking their time walking along the streets, enjoying the afternoon, passing some of the local stores, stopping to look in this one and that, eventually reaching Ryan's. Standing back on the sidewalk memories started coming back to her of the last time she was there, and looking around at the beach behind her, she remembered the missing part in the story, she remembered exactly where she'd gone when she walked outside and exactly what happened.

Sabrina stood at the front door, waiting watching her taller companion, watching the changing of emotions as they flickered across the normally masked face. Relief, humor, shock, bewilderment and finally a smirk of self-assurance. 'Wonder what all that was about' she thought to herself opening the door and passing through as Lian approached.

Stepping inside Lian remembered the bar quite well now, the wooden walls covered with cola and beer signs, the dance floor, pool table in one corner and of course, the bar itself. A very long wooden one it was, probably hewn out one tree trunk, painstakingly carved out and set in place. The surface was smooth, so smooth you could easily slide a drink from one end to the other without fear of it gliding out of place or being nudged in the wrong direction.

"What's your poison?" the bar tender asked stepping over to the two women standing there.

"Boilermaker and the lady will have aÉ" Lian answered as though she'd done it a million times before.

Looking at her with quiet amusement, Sabrina ordered a vodka and coke, smiling to herself that Lian had referred to her as a "lady", something no one had done sinceÉ She shook her head and moved the thought along, which was in the past, and best left there for now.

Picking up the glasses and moving to a quieter table in the back, Lian gently placed them down and held out the nearest seat for her friend, waiting while Sabrina sat down before seating herself on the opposite side.

"So, any more ideas on how to set up our friendly neighborhood thief?" she asked shooting the whisky and chasing it with a mouthful of beer.

"Yuck, how can you do that, and no, only the one we thought of last night, do you think that'll work?" Sabrina replied pulling a face as Lian shot the vial spirit.

"Heh, it's easy, pick up the glass, open your mouth, tip the contents in, and swallow" she laughed "and yes I do think it'll work, we've just got to make sure it's set up properly, you got any bets as to who it is?"

"Oh very funny. Yeah, I think it's Joe, he's been here the longest, he'd know all the routines, he'd have the most opportunity and being one of the most trusted no one would suspect him of being the culprit" she replied taking a long sip of her drink.

"Mmm, maybe, but we've still got Eric, he's the one always looking guilty, and Sasha. But I guess we'll find out soon enoughÉ" she trailed off as a strange woman walked up behind Lian motioning Sabrina to be quiet.

Just then the new comer pounced on Lians shoulders, wrapping her arms around tight and talking into her ear "hey you, wondered if you'd ever show up again"

Lian caught off guard leaping and spinning from the table, lifting her assailant clear off the ground, having completed a one-eighty she was now face to face with the woman, how she remained able to not throw the woman to the floor or worse she'd never know, "Umm, IÉ Who are you?" she spluttered.

"Oh gods, you don't remember me huh, well lets see if this refreshes your memory" the girl answered by leaning up and kissing Lian gently on the lips, then taking a firm hold and deepening it. Slowly breaking it off looked back at a now very red and surprised face.

Turning away from the sight before her, Sabrina tried to focus on the beer sign on the wall, 'Labatt Blue, Canada's own', eventually turning back around when she deemed a safe amount of time had passed. To say Sabrina was shocked would have become the dictionary definition of the word, along with surprised, embarrassed and jealous.

"Ugh, yeah, now I remember, but I still don't know who you are. I'm afraid until this afternoon, I didn't have much of a memory as to the nights events, only what friends have told me" she replied trying to force down the rising heat in her neck, and her need to apologize to Sabrina.

"Well that's fair enough, I'm Lisa, and you're Lian. But I'm afraid I don't know your friends nameÉ" she answered now turning to the very quiet woman in the corner.

"Um, well it's nice to meet you Lisa, this is my Boss's niece Sabrina, would you care to join us?" Lian replied.

"It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Sabrina, and yes I'd love to join you, but you could let me down first" she joked noticing that she was still dangling off Lian's neck.

"Oh shoot, sorry there you go, what can I get you to drink?" Lian answered blushing at the picture of the small blonde woman hanging off her.

Sitting down between Sabrina and Lian's seat she extended her hand towards Sabrina "just a bourbon and coke thanks babe"

Hackles rising at the endearment Sabrina took the proffered hand and shook it gruffly before returning to her drink "nice to meet you too"

Lian having paced back over to the bar to wait to place the order, Lisa looking over the young woman next to her and deciding she'd test the waters a little. "So how long have you two been going out?"

Spitting her drink across the floor, turning bright red at that and being asked such a personal question by a complete stranger Sabrina looked at Lisa with a somewhat confused look on her face, "I beg your pardon?"

"HowÉ longÉ haveÉ youÉ twoÉ beenÉ goingÉ out?" Lisa asked again, wondering just how far she'd get to take this before it was stopped.

"I heard what you asked, I just didn't believe that you asked it. We're not going out, Lian's straight" she replied looking into her glass with a small feeling of regret.

"Um, I hate to burst your bubble, and I doubt that this will, but she's definitely NOT straight" the stranger chuckled back as they young girl looked up with a look first of joy, then confusion, then of doubt.

"HowÉ How do you know?" she stammered afraid of the answer, but wanting to know just the same.

"Um, well, as much as I hate discussing meat while it's still walking the fields, I don't know if she's 'out' yet or not, but she sure knows what to do with her hands. And something tells me, you'd like to know first hand, if you'll excuse the pun" Lisa returned.

"IÉ errÉ how'd youÉ umm" once again having great difficulty in finding the right words "well, yeah, but, well do I want to know 'how' you know about her?"

"Oh no, for that you'll have to ask her, and if you're lucky, you might just get a few demonstrations" Lisa said noticing that Lian was now returning to the table with fresh drinks for everyone.

"So what are you two talking about?" she asked putting the drinks down and taking up her seat again.

"Oh just trade talk, you know, fruit, veg, meat, that sort of thing" Lisa quickly shot in before Sabrina could let anything out that shouldn't be.

"Yeah, that's all" Sabrina joined in thankful that the answer was provided without her having to think too much, especially now she had another line of thought she wanted to pursue.

"Oh, fair enough, I take it then that you're in the hospitality industry then?" Lian queried completely oblivious to a very subdued Sabrina. Taking a sip of her beer and settling back into her seat.

"Nope, used to be, I worked a few years as a kitchen hand, busser that sort of thing. I'm actually off duty right now, I'm doing law of sorts" chuckling she continued " I'm studying to be a cop".

"No way! Well I guess that makes you one of Vancouver's finest then" Lian replied.

Laughing Lisa looked at Lian and replies "no, I think that would be you"

Once again hackles risen at the blatant flirting before her Sabrina sat in her seat and quietly downed the remainder of her drink, then started in on the second one. 'Why on earth should it bother me that they're doing this, I'm not involved with Lian, and they obviously have some sort of history. Why is it annoying me, becauseÉ because they're flirting like I want to be with her, and Lisa knows it too!' she thought to herself as she listened to the conversation as it went around all sorts of topics.

Eventually looking at her watch Lian saw how late it was getting, they'd been in the bar for the best part of the afternoon and well into the night. It was now eight p.m., not that there was any rush to get home, but she knew by the look on Sabrina's face that the young girl was tired and needed to get some rest.

"Well it's been a blast Lisa, but I've got to go, got to get this young one home before she's asleep in her seat" Lian said motioning towards the slowly nodding head of her young friend.

"Oh sure, like you said, it's been fun, hope to see you soon, you might want to be careful with her too, she's had a few to drink" Lisa said standing up and stretching her arms and back, "did you walk over or drive?"

"Walked" She answered looking down at the number of glasses Sabrina had consumed during the time they'd been there 'funny, I didn't think she'd be the type to drink that much' she thought to herself.

"Ok, I'm calling a taxi for you, see if you can get her up" she answered walking over to the bar and asking for the phone.

"Thanks" Lian replied standing and pacing round the table and putting her arms around the girls shoulders and trying to lift her up "Come on girl, time to go home"

"Mmm, home, bed, lovely" the groggy voice said.

Getting her on her feet, Lian managed to look into her eyes, well what normally would have been a beautiful rich brown were now very dilated pupils and a glazed red hue surrounded by blood shot veins. "Oh good grief, you have had a skin full haven't you, come on, you're staying with me again, no way am I taking you home like this"

"Whoa, she has had a bit to drink huh" Lisa chuckled coming up and seeing the bleary eyes trying to focus on anything that would hold still, "need a hand getting her outside?"

"Um, yeah, once I get her in the car it'll be ok, thanks"

One pair of shoulders either side of the corpse, Lian and Lisa carried her out to the fresh air where they waited for the taxi to arrive.

"Thanks for a great night, I had a good time" Lian said as she saw the lights pull up to the curb.

"My pleasure, look here's my number, maybe we can do it again sometime" she replied looking semi hopeful.

"Maybe, thanks once again, night" she answered lowering Sabrina into the back seat and climbing in next to her.

Giving the address the car jerked off as Lisa stood on the pavement chuckling at the thought of how Lian was going to cope when she got home, this part was easy, there were two of them, but when she got homeÉ

************

Hurtling through the streets the city took on a whole other life, buildings that in the daytime look quite plain and warm took on an the appearance of a sinister life form looming above the inhabitants of the street, daring them to defy it. Looking down to her lap where Sabrina was asleep, peacefully laying there she looked so happy. It wasn't till they reached the apartment building that Lian realized that she now had to manage to get Sabrina up the three flights of stairs.

"Did you want a hand miss?" the kindly gentleman asked noticing the dilemma.

Slowly pulling a now mumbling Sabrina out of the car and standing her on the street, "No, it's ok thanks, we can manage, here you go" she replied handing him the money and bidding him farewell.

Taking one of Sabrina's arms across her shoulder Lian tried to walk to the front door, only getting a few feet before realizing that due to their height differences that it wouldn't work. "Ok, now what, it's not like I can just carry you" she mused to herself knowing that her companion would be of no help in this state. 'Well why not, it's not like she's weighs a lot, in fact she'd be lucky to weigh as much as some of the boxes I shunt around'

Testing the theory Lian wrapped one arm around Sabrina's shoulders, and the other under her legs, then tilted her backwards. Finding her to be quite light she placed her back on the ground, thinking that for the moment, carrying her on her back would be the best plan. So slowly turning around she lifted the girl off the ground and paced towards the front door of the building.

Eventually reaching her goal she tugged out her keys and opened the door. It was at this point that Sabrina decided to regain some sort of consciousness, noticing she was riding piggy back through the building she joined in the game and slapped Lian quite hard on the backside "Hiddy up gorsey"

Biting her lip as a way of clamping down on yelling out in shock and discomfort Lian stopped dead in her tracks. Adjusted her load so that her parcel was now facing her, and starting up the three flights of stairs.

"You know, you're cute" Sabrina managed to get out as she breathed a rather boozed filled breath right into Lian's face.

"Yeah, well you're drunk, so I guess we're even" Lian laughed trying not to choke on the smell assaulting her nose.

Reaching the door to her apartment, Lian put Sabrina down and opened the door, "Well come on, in you come"

"What, aren't you going to carry the bride over the thresh hold?" the stumbling body protested refusing to budge past the doorway.

"Oh for goodness sake" Lian huffed stomping back over towards the door, sweeping Sabrina off her feet, kicking the door shut and carrying her through to the bedroom, "is that better oh dearest wife?"

"Yes, much. Now how do I get this lot off?" she mumbled tugging at her tie and pants, wishing to remove the offending garments.

'Careful Li, we're treading on thin ice here' her mind chided her as she leaned in to assist her guest. "Well one would assume that you untie that one, and tug like this on that one"

The feeling of Lian tugging at her clothing was too much, Sabrina couldn't help but let a small groan slip from her lips as she reached out and took hold of Lian's face, bringing it level with hers. "You know, I wasn't joking before, you really are cute"

"Um, thanks, but I think you've had a little too much to drink, and need to rest" Lian replied, heat rising up along her neck, amongst other places. 'That sound, god I think that kind of sealed it, I've never felt this was about any guy I've ever met, but one look from her, and I'm liquid' she thought as she backed away, her body protesting against what it wanted.

Leaning in closer to the lips she wanted to taste, only to have them taken from her sight, 'what happened, where'd she go?' Sabrina tried to find her target, then looking up along the midsection of the body before her, slowly gazing over the body that she wanted to hold close. "If you say so, but you could at least help me into something a little more comfortable".

"Heh, yeah, I could, and I will, hold still" Lian chuckled at the pouting face below her, as she took the tie off, and undid the buttons of the dress shirt she was wearing and putting the White Sox shirt on in its place. 'I shouldn't be enjoying thisÉ Not at allÉ Lian behave, the girl's had too many drinks and has probably lost all sense of what she's saying and who she's saying it to'.

"Thank you, aren't you going to help with these though, I'm not sure I can do them" Sabrina grinned looking down at her pants and shoes.

'Why is it this all seems a little too convenient?' She thought to herself bending one knee and undoing the shoe laces, then standing up and pulling Sabrina to her feet, "hold still while IÉ while I take these off" she stammered now very aware of exactly where her hands were and what she was about to start doing.

Trying to balance on her feet, Sabrina grinned at the blush that was creeping up Lian's neck, not prepared for the touch that was to take over her soul.

Placing her hands ever so lightly on the waistband of the pressed slacks Lian began to gently pull them down, reaching just past her hips she realized that in order to get them any further she'd need to part Sabrina's legs a tad more than they were. "ErrÉ could you, um, justÉ CRAP, can you just shift your feet a bit, I can't get your pants down" she blurted out now feeling very self-conscious.

Giggling Sabrina did as requested only to go toppling backwards as they were finally pulled from her body. Falling onto the bed she wriggled under the covers and waited for Lian to finish folding the clothes before saying anything further.

"There you go, not that you'll remember this in the morning, but your clothes are over there, and I'll leave a light on in the bathroom incase you need toÉ well just incase. Goodnight" Lian grumbled, annoyed that this whole event had happened, true some parts she had enjoyed, but it wasn't right, Sabrina was drunk and had no control, unlike herself.

"Goodnight LianÉ Hey don't I get a kiss before you leave?" Sabrina mumbled already drifting off to sleep.

"Yeah, of course you do" Lian replied leaning down, brushing away the silken bangs on the girls forehead and placing a gentle kiss in their place.

Lingering in the doorway Lian looked back at the now heavily slumbering waitress. 'Wonder if she'll remember any of this in the morning' she thought as she closed the door and went into the living room.

**************

The apartment was dark when Mary came in a few hours later, only the TV was flickering lighting up the couch and a slumbering body. Walking over to the couch she picked up the remote and turned it off, hoping not to wake the form lying there.

"Oh hey, good to see you're home, what time is it?" Lian mumbled slowly waking up.

"Only ten-thirty, it was a slow night so some of us came home early. Why are you out here?" Mary replied walking back to the kitchen and flicking the light on.

"Owww, um, Sabrina's in my room, she had a bit too much to drink, so I brought her back here to sleep it off. Speaking of which, I think I need to speak to you about something, sort of a hard subject though" Lian said now fully aware of everything happening around her.

"Sorry Hon, forgot" Mary chuckled forgetting that the bright kitchen lights were a bit of a shock after the blackness of slumber. "Well you know I'm always here for you, what's wrong?"

"IÉ Well I ran into the girl from the bar the other week" she stammered refusing to look Mary in the face.

"Oh" she replied sitting down on the sofa next to Lian.

"Yeah, and wellÉ Mary, I think I'm gay, but I don't know". There, she'd said it, it was finally out there and for better or worse she had to finally confront it.

"OkÉ well what's the problem?" she asked gently, trying not to add any extra pressure to the already stressed young woman.

"IÉ IÉ I don't know, it's just that, well, the girl, Lisa, she kissed me again, right in front of Sabrina. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but it was kind of one sided. I meanÉ. SHIT! It was nice, but I felt like I was kissing the wrong person" she confessed.

"Well is it possible that you were? And if you don't mind me asking, what took you so long in coming out?" she said with a smile.

"Huh? Well IÉ I don't know, I mean I know why it's taken so long with 'coming out' but as to the other, I don't know. I mean, IÉ I was wishing it was her" Lian mumbled pointing towards the closed bedroom door.

"So what's the problem?" Mary asked turning into the sofa and placing her feet on the top of the coffee table, something she didnÕt do often.

"Well I don't thinkÉ I meanÉ Oh damn, why is this stuff always so hard" taking a deep breath, clearing her head and continuing. "I like her Mary, I really do, she drives me mad with her babbling, but she's a good person and I'd like to get to know her better on all levels, but I'm not sure she if she likes me in that way".

"I see, well what brought all this on, I mean this morning you two were fine, and now you're a nervous wreck and she's passed out in your bed" she prodded slowly.

"Well this is what happened after we left work" Lian answered as she began to recall the afternoon's happenings and then the evenings. Finally finishing and walking around into the kitchen and setting the coffee pot up ready for some fresh coffee.

"Oh dear, I see you two had quite an eventful dayÉ Has it occurred to you that maybe she drank too much because she was interested in you, and you were flirting with Lisa. Did you bother to explain to her 'how' you know her?" the older woman suggested turning to watch Lian in the kitchen.

"No, on both accounts. Like I said, I'm not even sure if she's gay, and if she is and she was interested in me, why didn't she make the first move?" Lian shot back now a little annoyed at being accused of not handling the situation properly.

"Whoa, easy there tiger, I was just asking. She doesn't know you as well as the rest of us, she probably wasn't sure about you either, like you just admitted to me, YOU only just came out, don't forget it takes two to tango" Mary gently said not wanting to anger her roommate.

"Mmm, I guess so, I justÉ I guess I'm just not real sure about anything right now, between the money going missing, now finally kicking the door of the closet wide open, it's all just a bit much" Lian finished.

"Okay, well do you want my advice?" she said softly.

"Yes" Lian replied, grateful to have such a caring friend and mentor.

"Don't do anything till you are sure. She probably won't remember much of this tomorrow, and for now, you're best off trying to forget it as well. Just concentrate on your work and let nature take it's course" she said, placing an arm around her troubled friend's waist. "Now, why at eleven oÕclock at night are you drinking coffee?"

"Huh, oh, well I was thirsty, and I usually drink coffee when I'm thinkingÉ Just habit" Lian chuckled pouring a mug full of the black substance.

"A likely storyÉ Anyway, I'm off to bed, don't stay up too late ok, night Lian" Mary said walking through bedroom door and closing it.

Now awake and alone in the apartment Lian looked around as to what she could do to occupy her mind while she rambled through her various thoughts. Glancing over to the table she saw the pad she'd placed there this morning with the notes from her dreams. 'I wonder' she thought walking over and picking up the pad, reading over the lines and deciding to play her hunch.

Clicking on the power button she booted up the laptop, thankful that she'd left it out there and didn't have to go into her room to get it. Once it had finished powering up she connected to the Internet and started up the search engine.

Search Topic: "Dreams"

Sipping her coffee she was astounded at how many sites were found 'idiot, need to make it a little harder' she thought

Search Topic: "Genetic memory dreams"

Two minutes later the search was complete, 2009 sites. 'Ok, now what' she thought.

Custom Search: "Genetic memory dreams, swords"

Five minutes later the results were back, 25 sites. "Yes!" she cried, instantly clamping her hand over her mouth hoping she hadn't woken anyone.

Slowly scanning over the sites one by one she was surprised to see how many useless pages there were, just dead ends, not that the pages weren't interesting, but the last thing she wanted to be bothered with was a false trail. Finally clicking on the fifteenth site it opened up a network of links and information services on the subject. Scrolling down the page she came across a page with the link "Need help with a dream? Think you might be a descendant? Drop me a line or contact me on ICQ"

"You little ripper!" she exclaimed 'guess not all my Australian attributes have fallen away'. Clicking on the ICQ number she sent a message off requesting a chat if the site owner was interested. Having sent the message she remembered she'd best be turning her own ICQ on, 'idiot, how else are they going to reply'.

While waiting for a response she scrolled over the rest of the page looking for something that didn't quite make sense to her. "Descendant" 'what descendant?' she thought.

Icq beeped minutes later, clicking on the message:

"Hey, what's up?"

"Well I was looking through your page, and saw the icq option, thought I'd give it a go"

"Fair enough. Anything in particular on your mind?"

"Um, yeah actually. What's the deal with the 'descendant' thing?"

"Ah, well that's a long story, one that spans many centuries, best thing I can do is give you a site or two, and you can read them, then if you're still in need of an ear, feel free"

"Oh, well thanks"

"No problem, here they come, it was nice meeting you, my name's Jo by the way"

"Great, tah, I'm Lian, nice meeting you too"

Clicking on the first link she was taken to a site where there was an explanation of dreams and what they mean. "Mmm, no, not quite what I'm after". Second link hit the jackpot: "This is the story of an ancient warrior and bard, and how their lives changed the future" 'Now why is it I have a sense that what I'm about to read is going to change everything forever'. She thought to herself opening the page up completely and beginning to read the story about a mighty woman warrior and the bard that would steal her heart and complete her life.

"Sounds interesting enough, but why should it matter to me, myth or fact, what's it matter" she questioned herself, deciding to get up and pour another cup of coffee. "Well I guess there's one way to find out, I just have to read the story and see if I can learn anything from it" was her line of reasoning.

Sitting back down in front of the laptop and pulling out her glasses, 'Think I'd better put these on for once, I reckon I might be here a while'. Starting at the top of the page she learned how a once fierce and evil warlord held a nation in the palm of her hand, and how the fates had seen to it that things would change. How a small village girl would defend her family and friends from attackers, and in turn endear herself to a wandering warrior. And by making the choice of walking away from everything she had known and following the warrior that it was the start of the reformation of a complete soul. She read how that through their travels and adventures the two seemingly opposites would compliment and complete each other. But it wasn't until she read their descriptions that things started slipping into place. "The warrior a tall woman, taller than nearly all others, dark haired and eyes of ice blue. She could be hard, unforgiving and relentless, some say she wasn't fully human, that she was indeed part god. But her warrior mask, kept in place would deceive many. Only her closest friends and loved ones ever saw the softer, joking nature of this proud being. The bard in contrast was smaller, barely to the chin of the warrior, golden red locks and eyes of misty sea green. A smile that could charm any person who saw it and a nature of purity".

"WHOA! Ok, well there's no way the descriptions are dead accurate, but they're not far wrong" she said to herself "something tells me I'd better keep a copy of this". Clicking on the save button she continued to read how through their lives they shared many experiences and how their children were left to follow the roles set before them.

"Well that tells me some things, but I still don't see the connection" she thought to herself, "it's just not piecing together yet, that is set in Greece and my family are from Scotland and Ireland, a long ways off from there".

"Uh oh"

Clicking on the flashing message:

"Hey, sorry to interrupt, I forgot to give you this link, let me know what you think, bye"

"Thanks, and I'll let you know as soon as I'm done"

Opening the last page she read how some of the descendants of the original children drifted off to various parts of the world, to Europe, the Americas, even to the South Pacific, and of course, to the Celtic lands. She read how there were legends about strong warriors and intelligent bards that followed them, then in later years they seemed to vanish into the mists of time. Still the lines were there, but the warrior became less inclined to fight, and the bard settled into a teaching role.

Looking at the clock on the wall Lian was stunned to see it was now four am. "Damn, didn't mean to stay up this late". Clicking on Jo's icq she typed off a quick message.

"Hi, thanks for getting back to me, and sure, I'd be happy to meet you at another time, just let me know".

"Terrific, I'll see you later then, night, or morning, or whatever, lol"

"LOL, same to you"

Closing down all the windows and shutting the computer down Lian staggered round onto the couch and got comfortable. It wasn't long before she was fast asleep. Thoughts still flying at a million miles an hour trying to sort everything out in her head, descendant or not, gay or not, how to set the trap, it was all a blur as she slept.

******

Mumbling into a semi wakeful haze, Sabrina raised herself into a sitting position and looked out the window onto the bay, remembering yesterday's events. "How on earth could I be so stupid" she groaned as bits and pieces came filtering back into her mind. She remembered sitting at the table, glaring at Lian and Lisa, she remembered drinking several glasses of vodka and coke, then a few glasses of plain vodka. 'God, she must think I'm such a loser'. Deciding to finally get up, she rolled over on the bed and onto the floor and stood up, having forgotten that such quick actions bring a heavy price under these circumstances. "Aughk" she moaned stumbling into the bathroom and peering at a very red eyed and pale faced reflection, "no wonder they say jealousy is a horrid trait, look at what it does to youÉ" she commented.

After having a quick shower, washing away as much of the general grime she could feel from the previous days events she decided to wander out into the living area and see how bad the damage was, worrying as to whether or not Lian would even talk to her now.

Stepping through the door and into the lounge she looked around for her friend, "hmm, wonder where she isÉ" Taking a closer inspection of the apartment she noticed that Lian's work clothes and tools were gone, and it appeared the same with Mary's.

"Oh no, don't tell me they left alreadyÉ" she muttered to herself, instantly looking to see what time it was, "DAMMIT!!!!" It was now quarter to twelve, she'd been out of it for the best part of eighteen hours. "Crap, why didn't they wake me, I could have gone to work, I'm ok" she started complaining to herself.

Walking into the kitchen and fixing a cup of coffee she decided to sit down for a while and at least think about whether or not it was worth going in now, she'd already missed five of her six hour shift, so there didn't seem much point. Sitting down at the table she shuffled some of the notes she and Lian had made for their plan and came across a note left for her.

"Hmm, well I guess they did have some points for not getting me up, I'll give them that" she thought to herself looking around to see what she could occupy herself with for the next few hours. Deciding that a bit of music was in order she strolled over to the entertainment cabinet and looked in at the choice of cd's. "Wow, talk about diverse tastes" she thought as she read through the names "Melissa Etheridge, Bach, Nirvana, Debussy, Phil Collins, Indigo Girls, Matchbox 20, Silverchair". 'Wonder which ones belong to whom' she pondered on selecting the Nirvana disk and putting it on 'pity I can't have it loud, seems a waste really, but there isnÕt anyway am I turning that up right now' she grinned.

Muttering to herself about her next activity she crossed back over to the dining table and sat down in front of the computer. "I could do a bit of surfing" she pondered, wondering whether it'd be ok to use the laptop, "Well she did say to make myself at home, so I guess it'd be ok with her" she answered her mental questioning.

Opening up the computer and switching it on, waiting for it to come to life she went and organized a fresh pot of coffee, 'plan on being here a while don't you' she smirked to herself. Sitting back down in front of the laptop she dialed up the Internet and closed off Lians ICQ and other chat programs. 'Even though it would be fun to talk to some of her friends, I'm not going too, that's a little too mean, even for me' she thought to herself.

'Well I guess here's as good as anywhere' she beamed selecting Lians Favorites folder and scanning down her folder listings. "Wow, guess she does a fair amount of surfing" was her amazed response. Looking over titles like "Computer Hard, Soft, Progs", "Research", "ICQ, Links, Cards", "Tests, Misc & Fun", "S's, PP, CR's" and "Addys".

"Hmm, wonder what the "S's, PP, and CR's is" she said aloud scrolling down through the extensive list of marked pages. They appeared to be a collection of people's pages, a chat location or two, and some other names that didn't make a whole heap of sense. Deciding to take a chance she clicked on the first link, it instantly taking her to a page of categorized stories by various people. Most based on a popular cult TV series, others of a spin-off nature. Opening the first story she began reading.

"Oh my good, she reads fan fiction" she exclaimed completely surprised. As she kept reading however she became acutely aware of what sort of fan fiction her tall blonde friend reads. "Oh man, she's an alt readerÉ Boy oh Boy, does she ever have good taste too, these stories are really good, I'd forgotten how good they can be" she mused to herself recalling her memories of spending lunchtimes in the school library reading some of the more engrossing tales.

**************

By late afternoon Sabrina had managed to read about ten of the stories that Lian had saved on her laptop. Amazed firstly that her 'straight acting' friend read fan fiction, and even more stunned when she discovered that apart from one of the series the other stories were all of the explicit nature. 'Wow!' She thought having just finished one of the stories that had been in a folder dubbed "ICE". 'Wonder how long she's been reading them? Man, it's amazing she can sleep at night, those stories areÉ' she stopped thinking about that as various scenes flooded back through her memory causing a rush of blood through her body. At that moment she heard a key turning in the front door lock. Unlocking the door and stepping through with an arm full of groceries, Mary stumbled into the hall mutter some rather colorful language under her breath about stubborn locks and doors.

"Oh hi, you're back, hang on I'll give you a hand" Sabrina bubbled leaping out of her seat and racing over to Mary and taking several of the bags out of her hands.

"Ah, you're a saint, thanks" Mary enthused, glad to relieve some of her burdens, and asking "so, how was your day? Feeling any better?"

Placing the bags down on the counter top and starting to put various items away in the refrigerator. "Mmm, pretty good. I think I spent most of the day on Lians computer reading, some rather" pausing while she swallowed, then continuing "interesting stories on there".

"Mmm, that doesn't surprise me, she's a pretty complex person" deciding to take a stab in the dark Mary went a little bit further with her thoughts, "she doesn't always display the emotions she's feeling. I've seen her do some amazing things, be pretty angry, but still keep calm and deal with the problem."

"Um, yeah, I guessÉ" she replied, wondering just what Mary was trying to tell her.

Putting some cans of fruit and vegetables in a lower cupboard Mary continued, "She deals with things her own way Sabrina, we all do, but don't ever count her out or think that she doesn't care, just because she hasn't done anything to show you that she does".

'Is she saying what I think she isÉ' Sabrina started to ponder.

Not hearing Lian silently open the door and sneak in, both women were fully engrossed when she bounded into the kitchen scarring both of them into the next millennium.

"LIAN!!!!" Mary bellowed gathering her scattered wits, while Sabrina tried to steady her thoughts.

Standing in the middle of the kitchen laughing Lian slowly stopped her merriment and began apologizing for her prank. "I'm sorry guys, it was just too good an opportunity to pass up".

Getting her breathing under control Sabrina began giggling and thinking that it must have been a pretty funny sight to anyone but her and Mary. "Oh come on Mary, it was kind of funny" she mused walking round the bench to slap Lian in her midsection "not that I'm condoning what you did, and if you ever do it again you're in BIG trouble, got that!"

Feigning mock terror Lian held her hands up before her and then grinned "You have my word, no more surprisesÉ Like that one" she finished then bounded off into her bedroom to change.

"And you were saying what about her and emotions?" Sabrina said beginning to laugh.

"Oh shut up" Mary answered throwing a tea towel at the girl and beginning to laugh herself.

To Be Continued

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