"Come on, kick the bastard" A voice shouted out as two fighters slowly danced around each other, assessing their opponent. "Oh shut up dickhead, just watch and learn for once, you couldn't even beat that kid from Langley, so what would you know" his companion leered, only to receive a swat over the head for his efforts.

"Wow, there's a lot of people here" Sabrina commented quietly to Lian as they followed the group into the stadium.

"Yeah, little bit scary, you ok?" Lian answered not really paying attention as she scanned the crowds for faces she knew and unconsciously searching for any possible danger.

"Um, yes, just a little bitÉ Overwhelmed I think" replied the smaller woman moving a tad closer to her friend, thankful that she could hide behind her. Walking slowly around the mats and watching the competitors as they warmed up. Eventually making their way into the stands to find seats and watch the tournament.

Round after round they sat there, watching, soaking in the atmosphere, and hearing the spectators cheer and cry as one by one the fighters either won or were dismissed. The champion to continue into the next round, the vanquished to retire for the day.

"Hey Lian, you up for something to eat, you've been sitting there for the last three hours" Hank was standing out in the isle that Sabrina and Lian were seated in.

"Huh?" Lian broke her gaze from the combat to see who was beckoning her attention,

"Oh, yeah I guess" turning back to take another glimpse of the fighters just in time to see one of them send a quick succession of jabs and light kicks to his opponent. Standing up and beginning to walk towards her friend Lian turned sharply to address Sabrina, "What would you like for lunch, I know for a fact you didn't touch your breakfast?"

"Can I just have a salad roll and an orange juice, thanks" she answered retrieving some coinage from her pocket and handing it to Lian.

"Ok, but I don't need that just the same" she said refusing the money "You're my guest, I won't hear of that, so put it away" Lian responded bounding down the stairs. The two classmates headed towards the canteen leaving the girl alone in the stands to watch the next contestants.

'Well I wasn't expecting that' thought Sabrina now sitting alone with her thoughts. The last eighteen hours had been interesting to say the least. After Lian had returned home they'd returned to the city in fresh clothes, "Where are we going?" she'd asked, only to be answered seconds later as they walked into an electrical store.

"We are going to pick up some 'stuff' to put our plan into action" Lian had answered looking amongst the shelves of equipment.

"Oh" Sabrina had answered, as if that had revealed everything to the waitress.

They spent the next half an hour filtering through various items and gadgets, eventually selecting the desired components and leaving. Going straight from there to a disposal store and getting a few more packages and headed home.

Once again by the time they'd finished plotting and planning it was late, Lian had offered to drive the girl home, but upon remembering then that she'd have to pick her up early in the morning to go to the tournament Sabrina had suggested staying over again. "Yeah, you may as well, save everyone the hassle" Lian had said handing her the phone to call Harry.

So yet again Sabrina had been privileged to be witness to Mary and Lian fussing around the apartment, but both for separate reasons.

"Um hello, anyone home?" Lian gently called trying to snap the young woman out of her daze, "did someone belt you over the noggin or have you just fallen asleep out of sheer boredom".

"Uh, sorry, what?" she mumbled coming back to reality, "Oh right, food, sweaty males and violence, what's not to like?" Sabrina chuckled back taking the proffered food and beverage.

"Heh, I know, you're bored, I'm sorry, it must be hard on you" Lian said resuming her seat and opening the packet of crisps and bottle of Mountain Dew, "we can go in an hour, I just have to see Hank go up, then it's safe to go".

"Oh no, that's not what I meant, I'm having a great time" she lied. Watching a bunch of egotistical guys wantonly belting the crap out of each other was not her choice idea of entertainment. But it was one way to spend some time with her new friend, so she'd agreed to go along. "You didn't tell me Hank was going to compete," she asked trying to change the subject.

"Mmm, he didn't tell me either, till this morning when he picked us up. I'm gonna throttle him for not telling me" Lian answered biting into a mouthful of a chicken sandwich. 'Why on earth did she come, this has got to be the most boring thing you could do for a day if you're not interested in the sport' she thought half watching the fight and half keeping an eye on the girl next to her.

"Well I'm sure he'll be fine, he looks like he can handle himself pretty well" she bubbled trying to be enthusiastic and supportive.

"Oh, he can, you see that at class, easily kicks the butt of just about everyone there" Lian chuckled remembering the first time she'd practiced with the big man, only to be dumped very quickly on her butt.

"That's good, but I'm sure you could take him" Sabrina cajoled.

"Uh, donÕt know, never tried, he's my mate, so there's no competition between us" she answered focusing in on the fight as it was nearly finished, the champion sending his remaining moves down in a blinding flurry quickly dispensing the now beaten body.

"Is that him?" the girl asked pointing towards a figure slowly moving towards the ring.

"Yep, sure is" the Cook retorted wondering if yelling out would be totally distasteful.

Hank made his way to his boundary and waited to be waved in. Finally getting his call and stepping up to eye his challenger, both bowing to the referee and each other, then taking their stances ready to begin the fight.

"Has he ever competed before?" she softly whispered as if a normal tone of voice would have shattered the world.

"No" Lian answered, totally focused on the fight, hoping and praying that her friend wouldn't be hurt too much.

'Wonderful, I see where I stand. I'm only here for backup, incase Romeo over there gets busted up' she thought, then mentally slapping herself for being so callous. 'Get a grip girl, if backup was all she wanted there's a hundred others she could have chosen for the job'.

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

The fight hadn't taken long, Hank had taken a few heavy blows early in the match and just hadn't recovered. His attacker easily finishing him off in only minutes. Luckily he hadn't been hurt severely, only sore ribs and a bloody nose where he'd collapsed on the mat.

"Shit, he's down" Lian bellowed leaping out of her seat and bolting down the stairs to aid her friend.

'Yeah, and just like that I get left for a guy, again' Sabrina thought slowly standing and pacing down the stairs towards the pair.

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

"Come on mate, we're going home, you've had enough I think" Lian said getting her shoulder under the tall man and helping him down onto the floor.

"I'm ok Lian, honest, just a little sore" he answered batting the woman away.

"Look you great oaf, I don't care if you just took on Hulk Hogan and won, you're getting my help, like it or not. Now let me see your wounds" she retorted glaring at him.

"Ok, ok, fine, have it your way," he said opening the jacket to display already bruising ribs.

"Ow, man that's gonna hurt tomorrow" she breathed taking in the sight.

"Tomorrow, shit Lian it hurts now, stuff tomorrow" Hank spat out deciding he'd had enough of being subjected to his friends inspection.

"Shut it Hank, and sit down, I'm not finished with you yet!" Lian shot out, pushing the big man who easily over shadowed her, "I said sit down, NOW" half wanting him to defy her. Watching the fights all morning had had one small side effect, she now had a desire to fight, to win at all costs.

Looking straight into the flashing eyes before him, Hank swallowed at the sight. Something in Lian had changed, her eyes growing wild and seeming to thrive on the energy around her. "Ok" he ushered, half-afraid of what would happen if he refused.

Slowly approaching the pair from behind Sabrina had time to see this little display and begin to wonder what was going on.

"Ah, perfect timing" Lian said sensing someone behind her and turning to see who it was, "can you stay here with dufus while I go get some bandages, don't let him move ok".

"Yes ma'am" Sabrina answered saluting Lian as if she were commanding an army.

Two seconds after Lian had walked off Hank stood up and began moving off.

"Um, where are you going, Lian said to stay here," she said taking a hold on his arm.

"Look she means well, but there's nothing she can do that I can't do myself, now you can stay here and wait for your girlfriend, but I'm going home" He snapped back, annoyed that this little bit of nothing had dared try to stop him.

"Oh well listen to you, mister mighty warrior who's wallowing in self pity, isn't that just typical" she snipped back. "Did you ever stop to think that maybe she's doing this because she cares and that you ARE hurt and need help".

"Well looks like I know who wear's the pants between you two" he mumbled hoping she hadn't heard. She had.

"That's it you great fucking idiot. Look I don't know whether you got hit harder in your balls or what little gray matter you consider a brain. But she's not my girlfriend, but even if she was, I'd still do this" Sabrina shot back slapping him hard across the face, sending a cracking sound into the crowd around them. "Get one thing straight jerk, she cares, why I don't know, cause you're acting like a complete jerk, but she does, so sit down, shut up and wait for her".

Looking on the small woman in front of him and wondering about what had just happened Hank slowly sat back down on the stool he was seated on and closed his mouth. He'd obviously over stepped the mark and would now have to apologize and hope he could make it up to both of them.

Lian fetched some bandages and ointment and made her way back to her friends to find them exactly as she'd left them, both a little bit quieter than she'd expected.

"Did I miss something?" she queried undoing the lid on the sports liniment and opening Hanks shirt.

"No" they both answered.

"I see," she said rubbing some of the ointment into the abused body and wrapping the bandages around them. "Ok tough guy, come on, time to go home" she said standing and offering him a hand up, helping the bulky man to his feet, the three set off in silence towards the car-park.

'Jeez, wonder what happened, feels like someone died' she thought trudging along towards Hanks car.

"Aw, what's a matter little boy, need your woman to take ya home, what a fucking wuss" a voice leered from behind them.

"Why I oughta" Hank started to say only to be silenced

"YOU, ought to just shut up and keep walking, you're in no condition to fight, and even if you were, it's better to walk away than act in violence" Lian finished.

"Yeah, listen to ya woman lil boy, you couldnÕt beat a fucking child, let alone either of us" the other voice spat at them.

"Lian, can't you do something?" Sabrina whispered becoming a little bit more afraid.

"Yes, but what would be the point. By turning around and fighting I'm just giving them what they want. I refuse to do that" she answered as they approached the car.

Opening the back door of the aging Pontiac Lian lowered Hank into the back seat and shut the door. Walking round to the passengers' side and opening the door for Sabrina and ushering her into the seat.

Just as she was closing the door a hand grabbed hold of her arm, "I thought it was you, fucking bitch, you broke my nose".

Spinning around and looking squarely into the face of the person who'd dared enter her personal space, "Yeah, funny that, cause it looks better now. So let go".

"Oh no babe, we owe you," the second voice said coming up on the other side of her and fencing her in.

"Look, I don't remember who you are, but if there's something you're after, you're barking up the wrong tree" she said beginning to place the two men who had encircled her.

"I dunno Steve, what do you think, should we let her off, orÉ Take our payback out on her" the first assailant said leaning in and blowing softly in her ear.

"I say take her Brad, she's just another fucking whore" Steve answered running his hand up her arm.

'Oh wonderful Li, you just jump from the frying pan into the fire don't you' she thought to herself trying to squirm out of their reach.

From the seats of the car both Hank and Sabrina could see what was transpiring and only faintly heard the voices. "I've got to do something" Hank mumbled rolling over to the other door and starting to open it.

"No, Lian told you not to do anything, if anyone is going, it's me" she said scooting over into the drivers seat and opening the door, 'yeah, you're the one that asked her to do something aren't you' she thought just as she opened the door.

"Right you are Steve, and if I'm not mistaken, a fucking lesbian too, wouldn't that be great, take out two causes with one blow" Brad sneered beginning to pull Lian towards the hood of the car.

"Look guys, you're doing the wrong thing here, please stop, I'm sorry for beating you up, but youÉ" she never finished as Brad slapped her across the face.

"Shut up bitch" he barked at her, "You're gonna pay for that night" he answered pushing her towards the cold metal.

'Ok Lian, you tried talking, you tried apologizing, you tried reasoning, NOW KICK SOME ASS!' her mind screamed, "Ok, but I'm sure you're not gonna enjoy this" she chuckled as she began to feel her blood pumping.

Just at that moment Sabrina opened the car door and hopped out, temporarily distracting the two men, "Lian are youÉ" she never got to finish the sentence. She had become witness as the tall blonde woman she had considered a friend quickly wrenched one arm free, head-butting one of the men and spinning back around to slam a fist right into the bridge of the other manÕs nose.

"What do you know, now you have matching noses, but you're still ugly" she jibed waiting for either of them to attack again.

Brad was quickly coming back to his senses and focused in on his target "You slut, you're gonna pay for that" he yelled racing back towards her.

"Oh, silly boy, I'm not paying for anything, you were damaged goods before I got to you". She laughed as she deflected his punches, managing to take a few minor jabs to his ribs and then landing a blow to his jaw, knocking him straight to the ground with a thud.

"Now, Steve I believe was your name, can I make a suggestionÉ" she started as she walked towards the other assailant.

"Back off bitch, you might have gotten lucky with him, but I'll wipe the floor with your ugly ass" he spat back straightening and tensing ready for the attack.

Laughing as she watched him go on the defense, "You idiot, you attacked me remember, not the other way round" she said as she kept walking towards him.

"Look, I'm warning you, back off" he sneered as he stepped a little bit closer getting ready to strike.

"Uh huh, sure youÕre gonna hurt me, that's why you're just so ready to pound me but can't even tie you're of damn shoelace" Lian threw back at him laughing when he actually looked down to check his shoes.

"What do you mean, I'm wearing boots" he said slightly confused, 'why hasn't she gone for me' he thought as she now stood only a meter away.

"Man, you really are dumb" she said laughing at the look of bewilderment on the want-to-be thugs face, "and I bet you're trying to figure out why I didn't send you into the next millennium when you so stupidly looked away"

'Ok Steve, this one's a little too psycho, get out of here' he thought staring straight into the eyes of the woman who had confronted him. 'Fuck, would you look at those eyes, she'sÉ insane'

"I'll tell you what little boy, I'll let you live if you get your friend out of my face and never, and I mean N. E. V. E. R. get in my or any of my friends faces again. We got a deal?" she asked leaning in close enough to be inches away from his face, but still at a distance where she could jump back if he decided otherwise.

All he could manage to do was nod his willingness to co-operate, knowing that if he refused he would surely end up in a worse state than his companion. Steve slowly backed away and quickly walked over to pick Brad up off the ground, "come on mate, we got to get out of here, she's fucking nuts".

Watching as the two men stumble off into the car-park, Sabrina came round the back of the car to see if Lian was all right. "LianÉ Lian, are youÉ" she asked reaching out her hand to touch the tall woman.

Feeling the weight on her arm, Lian swung round ready to hit the person behind her, her fist racing towards the girls' face. 'Oh Christ, it's her' was all she thought before she'd sent her clenched hand smashing into the beautiful face.

Wincing instantly on contact, both women crying out, one in shock and pain, the other in anger and grief. "Oh God, Oh God, Sabrina are you, SHIT!" Lian bellowed as she reached out to check the young woman as she fell to the ground.

Looking up into the looming figure Sabrina's head began swimming from the impact. "I don't think IÉ" was all she got to say as she passed out and collapsed onto the concrete.

"Oh for the love of God, NO!" Lian yelled diving to the ground just catching Sabrina's head before it could hit the hard surface. 'Great, well you just fucked that one up sunshine. That's got to be an original way of losing a girl before you get her. She's really going to want to go out with you now'.

Picking up Sabrina's limp form and kicking the front door to indicate to Hank to open it Lian gently placed her into the seat and put the seatbelt on and shut the door. Walking round and hoping into the driver's seat she looked at Sabrina and the huge bruise that was forming on her chin.

"What happened to her?" Hank asked not quite sure what had transpired, as he'd double over in pain having stretched the already exquisitely sore ribcage.

"I punched her" she answered starting the engine and heading out of the car-park.

"You what?" he stuttered completely confused.

"She grabbed me and I punched her. It was an accident, I didn't do it on purpose, she just happened to be in the wrong spot at the wrong time" she spat out already starting to beat herself up over the incident.

"Shit Lian, is she all right?" the big man asked now looking around from the back seat trying to see her.

"Yeah, she'll be fine, I think it's more shock than actually injury" Lian mumbled looking at the pale face sitting opposite her.

"Ok, so long as she's gonna be all right" he mumbled leaning back in the seat, "look, just go back to your place, I'll drive home from there, you need to get her inside".

"Thanks mate, I think you're right about that," she said heading onto the expressway and planting her foot on the gas.

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

"Can you just help me get her into bed, please" Lian muttered to Mary as she staggered through the livingroom carrying Sabrina in her arms.

"But what happened?" Mary questioned as she nudged open Lians bedroom door. Not ten minutes ago Lian had turned up at the front door pounding on it, when she opened the door and saw her standing there with Sabrina's body in her arms, she didn't know what to do.

"Look I punched her, she fell, passed out, Hank and I got her home, now I just want to get her into bed and see that she's alright" Lian shot out becoming more irritated by the minute.

"YOU WHAT?" she cried standing stock still starring at Lian as she lowered the girl into her bed and pulled the covers up.

"It was an accident, I got into a fight, she came up from behind, I punched her, she fainted, passed out, whatever. Now go and get me a glass of lukewarm water please" she replied avoiding looking at the older womanÕs face, knowing the look of shock and disbelief that would be there.

"Um, okÉ shouldn't you take her to hospital or something, I mean she is unconscious" she asked heading towards the kitchen.

"Maybe, she was alright when I hit her, I think it's more shock than the actual injury that got herÉ" Lian answered walking over to the bathroom and getting a hot water bottle out of the cupboard, "She'll be ok, it's not serious".

"Ok kid, whatever you say" she said padding over to the bed and placing the glass on the bedside table.

"She'll be fine" Lian replied walking back to the bed and sitting down next to Sabrina and tucking the hot water bottle inside the covers and gently shaking the girl, "HeyÉ. Wake up BriÉ Come onÉ"

"What'd you just call her?" Mary chuckled noticing that Lian had dropped her usual formality.

"I don't know what you're talking about" she retorted whilst blushing and shaking the slumbering form, "Sabrina, wake up, you have to get up now".

The body stirred a little bit, rolling over and snuggling into the blankets. "Come on sprite, time to get up" Lian cooed hoping that everything was indeed going to be ok.

Grumbling as she began to regain consciousness, Sabrina finally cracked open an eye and glanced around the room. "Oh thank the gods," Lian cried looking into the beautiful brown eyes.

Jumping back a little as she slowly came to, Sabrina looked firstly at Lian then at Mary, regaining some form of memory of what had happened, "Um, whatÉ I mean howÉ what happened?" she asked.

"I think I'll leave you two alone now," Mary said walking to the door, looking back at Lian and giving both of them an understanding smile.

"I'm so sorry Sabrina, I didn't mean to hit youÉ I justÉ and youÉ I'm so sorry" Lian mumbled reaching over to hug the girl.

"Whoa, easy there, just tell me what happened" Sabrina replied trying desperately to remember what had happened.

"I hit you" Lian mumbled.

"Uh, that I remember, what a left hook" she gently laughed rubbing her jaw, "but what happened afterwards?"

"Oh, umÉ I put you in the car, we drove back here, Hank dropped us off, I carried you up the stairs, and here you are" Lian answered looking at her hands in her lap, wishing it had been anyone else she'd hit and not Sabrina.

Placing a hand over Lians, and lifting her chin with the other one she softly spoke, "You're really starting to make a habit of carrying me up those stairs you know".

Taking a brief second to look into those two clear brown eyes, smiling back at her, she couldn't help but wonder 'I just hit you, you were unconscious, why are you speaking to me? Hell I wouldn't be'. Casting those thoughts aside she replied, "Yeah I am".

"ItÕs ok Lian, it wasn't deliberate, I shouldn't have crept up behind you like that, especially after you'd just been fighting, I knew better than that" Sabrina responded trying to convey to her friend that it was truly alright, that she was ok.

"Mmm, maybe... but I should have had better controlÉ I lost itÉ you shouldn't have been hurtÉ itÕs not good enoughÉ" she retorted beginning the telltale berating she gave herself whenever she made a mistake, no matter how small it was.

"It's ok, I'm fine" Sabrina said softly trying to get her friend to calm down.

Refusing to look at Sabrina, Lian continued to mentally beat herself up for her indiscretion and stupidity. 'Stupid stupid stupidÉ Jesus Lian, just how dumb are you? You hit the poor woman, then sit here expecting her to talk to you, you really are an idiot' she chided herself not noticing that Sabrina had lent closer to her and that she had her hand on Lians jaw.

"Lian, look at me" she softly called, closing in on the face before her, until they were scarcely a breath apart.

Lifting her eyes Lian saw straight into SabrinaÕs, her heart lurching as she saw all the emotions behind the words, 'we're too closeÉ I'm too close' she thought trying to pull back, but Sabrina wouldn't have it.

"Lian, I'm ok, you're ok, I presume Hank's ok, so there's nothing to worry about. What happened, happened, it was an accident, pure and simple" she said leaning in closer to the other woman, pausing only a breaths distance from Lians lips.

'I don't know what to doÉ IÉ IÉ' her mind stuttered, one half wanting to lean in and kiss her, the other screaming to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction, never looking back.

'Why hasn't she kissed meÉ Do I have to make it any clearer that I want her tooÉ Can I make it any clearer for her' Sabrina thought as she looked up into the gray eyes above her, rubbing her thumb across Lians jaw.

'ArghÉ Someone, please help me!' Lian began to back away, torn between the two desires, one beckoning almost irresistibly, the other seeming to welcome her like an old friend, "UmÉ Did you want anythingÉ another glass of water maybe?" she quickly replied reaching for the glass on the table and offering it to Sabrina.

"Ugh, yeah, that'd be fine, thanks" she answered, starting to question her own actions.

"Ok, I'll be right back" Lian said standing up and walking into the kitchen.

'Maybe she doesn't like me, maybe she didn't want to kiss me but didnÕt know how to tell me' she began to think. Softly crying and touching the now very bruised jaw, wincing at the pain that went shooting through her body as a result.

"So how is she?" Mary inquired as Lian stood at the fridge pouring another glass of water.

"Um, she'sÉ fineÉ yeah, that seems about right" she mumbled turning around and facing her roommate.

"What's wrong Lian, is there something wrong with her?" she asked, then looking closer to the fallen face of her young friend, "or, is there something else wrong?"

"Mmm, I think it might be the latter. UmÉ she wanted to kiss me, and IÉ god, I've totally messed this up, I insult her, I hit her, when she forgives me I make an ass of myself and run as fast as I can in the other direction," Lian blubbered standing at the edge of the sink and hanging her head.

"Oh honey, it's okÉ I'm sure you didn't do anything of the kind. Now what are you talking about, she wanted to kiss you? Is that what you said?" Mary replied standing next to her and putting an arm around her friend.

"Yeah" her crest-fallen voice breathed.

"Yeah? That's all you're going to tell me?" Mary gently pushed.

"UmÉ we were sitting there, and I was talking, then she was there, and... andÉ and we almost kissed" Lian sighed.

"Almost? What happened?" she asked trying not to sound too surprised.

"I frozeÉ" Lian replied, her voice still faint.

"WHAT? You froze, I thought you wanted to kiss her?" the older woman muttered shaking her head.

"I doÉ it justÉ IÉ God Mary, it just seemed wrong" she softly sobbed as her head seemed to sink even further.

The duo stood there in silence, one trying to get up enough courage to walk back into her bedroom and face the invalid, the other trying to think of something to say that would ease her friends discomfort.

"Oh that reminds me, your police friend called this afternoon, said to tell you that she has what you were after" said Mary thinking back to the last time Lian had kissed someone.

Lifting her head and looking at Mary, "she did huhÉ great, I'd better get over there then" she answered grabbing the water and walking off towards the bedroom and pausing at the laptop, noticing that it hadn't been shut down properly. Raising the screen it leapt into life. Opening up to the last page of one of the stories she'd read, Lian quickly scanned the paragraphs as a deep burning sensation flew up her neck, "Um, Mary, have youÉ I mean, I don't mind if you did, butÉ did you have my laptop on lately?" she queried.

"Nope, not me came the muffled reply from one of the bottom cupboards, "but I believe Sabrina did, why?"

'Oh boyÉ That's gonna be fun to explain, unlessÉ' her mind said "Oh, no reason, just it'd been left on, no worries" she answered picking the item up in her other hand and walking back into the bedroom where Sabrina was lightly dozing in bed.

Stirring to consciousness Sabrina looked up at the form towering over her, "uh hi" she said.

"Hi yourselfÉ um, were you using my laptop yesterday by any chance?" she asked sitting down on the edge of the covers.

'Uh oh, now you've done it' Sabrina's mind chastised her. "Uh, yesÉ Did I forget to shut it down?" the young woman replied.

"MhmmÉ doesn't matter though, didn't do any harm" Lian said placing the glass down on the bedside table, "I have to go out for a while, here's the laptop, you might as well fool around on here till I get back and we can talkÉ about what happened".

Putting the laptop on the bed beside her and watching Lian walk out the door, Sabrina couldn't help get a feeling that there was a deeper meaning to Lians statement. Opening the screen up she saw a scribbled note lying on the keys: -

"Oh manÉ she knew I'd read the storiesÉ sheÉ oh manÉ" she sighed as she started looking for the folder in question.

***********

Several hours later Lian stumbled back up the flights of stairs to her front door, having spent the last four hours trying to get the trap for the thief set up in the restaurant. Finally getting everything perfect and giving way to fatigue Lian headed home, to what she was sure would be a very interesting night.

Noting that the apartment was in total darkness and creeping in the door, hanging her hat and coat up, Lian walked quietly through the livingroom and into her room.

"Hey stranger" a soft voice called from the bed as the warm glow the lamp suddenly oozed over the small room.

"Hi" she called back, swiftly changing into her pajamas in the bathroom.

"Did everything go ok?" Sabrina asked switching the laptop off, ÔIÕm not going to forget thatÉ this timeÕ.

"Yeah, like clockwork, once I figured out all the bugs that is" she quietly chuckled walking back towards the door, "good night Sabrina".

"Wait!" she cried, "IÉ I wanted to talk to you, if that's alright"

"SureÉ Just give me five minutes to get a hot chocolate and I'll be back" she muttered passing through the door.

Returning only minutes later with a huge cup of steaming chocolate, "Now what's on your mind, and why aren't you sleeping yet?" she asked sitting down on the side of the bed.

"Um, thanks for those storiesÉ they wereÉ well worth the five stars" she blushed finishing the sentence.

'Damn, she's so cute when she blushes' Lian thought to herself nodding while taking a sip of her drink, "I'm glad you liked them, didn't think you'd be interested in that sort of thing to be honest"

"Oh yeah, I used to read fan fiction all the time in High School" she blurted out, 'oops, softly softly here Sabrina' her mind called out to her, "look, Lian I think there's something I should tell you".

"Mmm, and what's that, that you're not really a beautiful woman laying in my bed, but really a man?" Lian laughed, surprised at her own forwardness.

'Whoa, what'd she just say?' Sabrina looked at Lian as she took another sip of the hot drink, "no, that you forgot to ask if I wanted a drinkÉ you'll never be a bar attendant if you keep forgetting the guests" she jibed jokingly.

"Eh, just as well I'm a Cook then" she chuckled handing Sabrina the mug, "sorry, share mine?"

"Ok, I guess that will sufficeÉ this timeÉ but seriously, I do have to tell you something" she answered taking the cup and inhaling the sweet perfume.

"Well I'm listening" Lian answered leaning back on the bed and stretching her back.

"RightÉ Did Uncle Harry tell you why I came back to Vancouver with him?" she asked hesitantly.

"Nope" Lian replied as a vertebrate slipped into place, Ôgods that feels goodÕ.

"Fine, right well here's my story, why I'm here" Sabrina began to tell her about the last two years, from the respected daughter of a Toronto restaurateur, to being shipped to the other side of the country to live with her Uncle. Sabrina told Lian how she'd finished High School with honors, how through most of her last year she'd spent her breaks in the library reading fan fiction off the net. How when it came to the summer holidays, she and her family had gone up to a lake for a couple of weeks. It had been a favorite place of her parents and siblings, and that she'd met someone there.

"We became very close, very quickly. We'd stay out late, walking in the woods, sitting by the lake, mostly just talking. But a few nights before I was to leave Shannon kissed me, and it felt great, I'd never felt anything like that before, so soft, so sweet, it totally blew my mind"

"The next night we tried to figure out some way that we could see each other again, but neither of us could come up with anything. We resigned ourselves to the fact and enjoyed the time we had together"

"At least that's what I thoughtÉ When I left I gave Shannon my address and phone number, and vowed to keep in touchÉ We didÉ two weeks later I received a letter from Shannon demanding that if I wanted to keep our relationship quiet, that I'd leave $1000 at an assigned place. I didnÕt. Then Shannon turned up unannounced at our front door, spoke to my Father, the next thing I know I'm being hauled down the stairs to 'discuss' my actions. Shannon had told my Father that we'd slept together, and that the media would be all over us if we didn't pay up".

"I was only seventeen at that stage, not exactly what you'd call legalÉ We never did anything other than kiss, but that was all it took for my Father to turn on me. He paid off Shannon and I was basically sentenced to house arrestÉ I couldn't go anywhere nor do anything for months. After about three months I was allowed some sort of social life, permitted to go our with some of my friends and have a good time".

Lian sat listening to Sabrina's story, growing madder by the minute at this "Shannon" person, 'Jeez, what a bastard, if I ever get a hold of that guy, I'll make him regret he ever figured out how to pee standing up' she thought and grinning with evil delight.

"I turned eighteen in December and my friends decided to throw me a party, which was really nice of them, but of course being who we are, we all took off onto the streets and stumbled into some barÉ Well we all had a good time, but as irony would have it, my Father turned up and caught us all drinkingÉ" Sabrina paused in thought.

Lian took the pause in the story to resettle on the bed, so that she was now stretched out alongside Sabrina, "man that really bites, I'm sorry".

"It's ok, I got grounded again for another three months, but by then I'd well and truly settled into my first year of college, and didn't want much of a social life, exams were looming in front of me and all I really wanted to do was study. The rest of the school year passed without too many hassles, and I made it into my second year. That years summer vacation we went to FloridaÉ And what a trip that proved to be. I met Jodie there, and that was the start of trouble all over again"

Sabrina went on to explain how she and Jodie had met in one of the boutique stores in the town they were staying in, and that they'd gone out one night and had too much to drinkÉ "We woke up that morning on the beachÉ nakedÉ needless to say I wasn't a virgin anymore either".

Lian tried not to look stunned, as she imagined Sabrina laying on a beach, naked of all things, and having sex with someone elseÉ 'Whoa, easy there girl, you didn't know her then, and stop looking so stupid, you haven't blinked in the last thirty seconds' her mind verbally slapped herself.

"I can see that caught you off guardÉ anyway, Jodie and I dated for the rest of that holiday, and even now we still keep in touch, but as luck would have it, my Father once again had perfect timing and walked in on us one nightÉ Man was that embarrassing" she chuckled at the memory, "we got away with some lame excuse like we'd been studying and were on the bed where it was comfortable. I thought he'd bought it, he hadn't. When we got back home he let me have it, and without too much of a warning, I was back to being groundedÉ again".

"The school year started again and I settled back into it. I met a few friends, and became active in a few clubsÉ one of them being a little more anti-conformist than others. By the time December came I was getting pretty fed up with my Father treating me like a child, and decided a little discussion was in order. We talked a fair bit over the choices I'd made in the past with people I'd dated, and he didn't like it at all, but said so long as it didn't affect him or the family that it would be ok. But as life would have it, it did affect him, one night my new friends having heard about what had happened to me stormed into the restaurant and tore half the bar apart before I could stop them. That was the final straw.

On my nineteenth birthday my Father gave me some money and told me I was going to stay with Uncle Harry until I graduated. After that I was welcome to come back, so here I am, for the next three years" she finished up and looking over at a very drowsy Lian.

"Uh huh, did you ever hear from Shannon or Jodie again? Shannon sounds like a real asshole, you're better off without a guy like that" she mumbled into the pillow she was now hugging as she drifted off to sleep.

"Lian, Shannon and Jodie were women, I'm gay" Sabrina softly said tracing Lians jaw with one finger.

"Oh, ok" she breathed as she finally succumbed to sleep.

"Well that was one of the better responses I've had" Sabrina thought to herself, pulling the blanket up over Lians tall frame as the older woman slept. Deciding there was nothing more to be said or done for the moment, she too rolled over and went to into the land of Morpheus.

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

"Mmm" a soft voice mumbled as she slowly woke up, one eye opening as the sunlight softly cracked through the blinds. Trying to remember where she was, Sabrina opened both eyes and took a quick glance around the room, immediately noticing that she was indeed sprawled all over Lian, and that Lian had both of her arms wrapped around the smaller woman holding her in place.

'OkÉ what to do, get out of this, orÉ' she thought looking at the face buried half in her pillow, half on Sabrina's hair. Eyes closed, nose a little crinkled and a soft smile upon her lips, 'I wonder, if I could justÉ' she thought as she lightly leaned up and touched her lips to Lians for only the barest of seconds. "Oh my God" she breathed as she put head back down on Lians chest, a tingling sensation still running through her body.

Lians lips curled up into a full grin as her eyes gently opened to see the black head retreating back to her chest. 'Oh boy, she just kissed me, mmm, nice too', she thought looking at the long strands of hair that fell over her. 'Umm... hey this isn't half bad actually, pity I have to stop it though' her mind started after taking in a long look at the form laying on top of her, 'not too mention that dreamÉ hang on, dream, no violenceÉ now that's weird'. Laying there thinking about how to try to roll Sabrina off her, Lian couldn't help but smile. Deciding the best course of action was probably just to unwrap her arms and pretend to be asleep as she rolled over. 'That ought to work' she grinned as she put her plan into effect.

'Uh ohÉ she's waking up, I'd better move' Sabrina thought cautiously moving from her comfortable position, still smiling after stealing a kiss from the dozing Cook.

"Mmm, time to get up" Lian mumbled as she re-opened her eyes, delighted to see that Sabrina had repositioned herself on the other side of the bed.

Grunting as some form of answer Sabrina opened her eyes and turned to face Lian, happy to see that her friend was oblivious to had happened mere moments before, "ugh, do we have to?".

"Well no, 'We' don't, 'I' do, I have to go in early and make sure everything is still set up for tonight" Lian replied lifting the covers and hopping out of bed. "Sorry about falling asleep in here too, I'll make sure I pass out in my own bed next time" she grinned waking to the bathroom.

Laughing Sabrina couldn't help but chuckle, "well actually this is YOUR bedÉ and it's ok, it didn't bother me any" the younger girl answered. 'Didn't bother me at allÉ what a laugh, it was a dream come trueÉ almost' she thought, smirking at what might have been.

"Yeah, I guess that's true" she said passing through the door, "oh, and about you being gay, it doesn't bother me at all" she finished as she closed the door.

Sabrina just sat there stunned, 'she heard me? And still stayedÉ'

**********

"No, what I'm saying is, leave that stack of notes on top, that way when whoever it is takes them, they're going to get the dye pack" Lian said sitting down in the office and grinning at Harry.

"Ok, you're the boss Roo, are you sure this is going to work though?" he queried looking at the small bundle of notes in his hands.

"Yeah, it will, so long as NO one touches it, or makes a big deal about it, that's why I want Liz on check-out and Sabrina as Maitre d', that way we should have all the bases covered" she answered feeling like the bird who'd swallowed the canary.

"But how are we going to know who it is?" Harry asked putting the money back in the cash register draw and placing it on the bench near the door.

"Ah, that's the nicest part of this, we bought some surveillance gear, there's a tiny little camera set up just above the register, that's hooked up to this," she replied pulling out a small screen TV from under the desk and handing it to Harry. "We'll be able to see exactly who it is, and catch them red-handed".

"Oh wow, you have gone all out haven't you," he said, looking at the high tech gear and then at Lian, "thank you for this, I really owe you one".

"Ahh, don't mention it mate, I'll just be happy to catch the scum that's ripping you off" she finished as she stood, taking the camera and placing it back in its safe place.

Walking back into the kitchen Lian ran into Joe who was setting up the last of the entrées and appetizers, looking around the kitchen Lian was a little surprised at how much work had gone into the nights function. 'I've worked them before, but it never ceases to amaze me how much detail and planning goes into these things. Let alone actually doing all the work for them' she thought looking at the ice sculpture, shaped into that of a goldfish standing upright on its tail.

"Joe, what's the deal with tonight anyway, so far no ones told me what we're doing other than shipping in a lot of salmon, trout and prawns for some party?" she asked fingering some of the pink salmon mousse that would be used on some of the hors d'oeuvres. Sabrina choosing this moment to walk in through the back door and creeping up behind Lian to give her a hug.

"It's a fish mongers something or other, heh, anyone would think it was some sort of dyke gathering, this great fishy smell emanating through the restaurant" he laughed turning around as he spoke to see Sabrina wrapped around Lian, "oh, um, never mind".

Both woman looking at each other and breaking out into hysterics at the look of shock on his face.

"Well, that wasÉ jeez anyone would think he'd just caught us kissing or something" Sabrina said laughing as she backed away from the embrace.

"Yeah, like that'd ever happen" Lian smirked as she dabbed her finger back into the mousse and putting a drop of it on Sabrina's nose and walking away, "ok mate, I have a lot of work to do today, I'll talk to you tonight before the function starts".

"Sure thing" she called out as Lian vanished into the cool-room. Wiping the mousse from her nose, she began to smile, 'yeah, like that'd ever happen'.

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

Stacking glasses in the washer, Sabrina reached up to put the bottles of brandy, sherry and whiskey on the top shelves. Standing on the very tips of her toes as she strained to place the last bottles on their shelf.

"Whoa, easy there babe, keep reaching like that and you're going to pull something in the lovely body of yours" Sasha purred as he came up behind her, reaching up to help put the last bottle away.

"Um, thanks Sash, I, err, thanks" she replied, her skin instantly crawling as he leaned closer to her.

"Looks like you've been in the wars lately there sweetie, what happened?" he gently queried as he turned her face towards him, noticing the dark bruise that had started to cover the lower half of her jaw.

Shaking off his hand and answering, "it was an accident, Lian and I were out the other day, and, well it was an accident, she didn't mean to hit me" she said walking over to the trolley to pick up the next case of red wine bottles.

"SHE WHAT? She hit you? Is that what you just said?" he bellowed storming over to her and grasping her upper arm, twisting her to face him.

"Yes, that's what I said, but I also said it was an accident, I crept up behind her, it was my fault" she replied in a calm manner even though the grasp he had on her arm was starting to cause a lack of blood to the limb.

"Well we'll just have to see about that now won't we" he spat out dropping her arm and storming off in the direction of the kitchen, "I told you to stay away from her, she's too goddamn dangerous"

"Wait, SashaÉ" she called out running after him.

Kicking the kitchen door open and startling one of the kitchenhands, Sasha glared at any who dared to look upon him, choosing only to yell out, "where is she, I want Lian out here, NOW!" Grabbing hold of the nearest body and staring down at the quivering form and getting the answers he wanted, Sasha walked off in the direction of the back kitchen.

Wrenching open the door and walking in, not even bothering to see who else was in the room, Sasha began ranting, "you total and utter bitch, how could you hit her? She's just a kid"

"What are you talking about?" Lian shot back, trying to gather in as much information on the situation as she could.

"You HIT Sabrina, what hell is your problem?" he shot back, picking up a sharpening steel and walking towards the Cook.

"Ok, firstly, put that down, NOW, secondly, yes, I did hit her, but it was an A.C.C.I.D.E.N.T. I'd just finished taking care of something else, and was distracted, she crept up behind me and startled me, what happened was pure reaction to a possible threat. Which is also what's going to happen if you don't put that steel down right now" she explained backing away.

"Sasha, please, she didn't mean it" Sabrina cried out running into the back room and coming face to face with Sasha holding a steel towards Lian.

Turning and looking at SabrinaÕs face, "how can you say that, she hit you" he said as he took in the looks that were flying between the two women.

"Like she said, Sasha I didn't mean to hit her, it was an accident, you have no idea how sorry I am that it happened. There's nothing I can do about it now, what's done is done, if she can forgive me, that's all that's important," Lian said reaching out and quickly snatching the piece of steel while he was distracted.

"IÉ IÉ I guess so, I mean I guessÉ I still can't believe you hit her" he said turning around and walking back through the kitchen, "it's up to Sabrina, but if you ever hurt her again, you'll be in so much crap, you'll need more than a shovel to dig your way out of it".

"Whoa, that wasÉ close" Sabrina breathed pacing over to Lian who was now leaning against the back wall.

"Oh yeah, hey next time you decide to tell someone that I beat you up, would you mind giving me a head start on running for my life" she chuckled back, glad that the ordeal was over, but having the feeling that it had only just begun.

"I'm so sorry Lian, I didn't mean for that to happenÉ forgive me?" she quietly asked reaching out and touching Lians arm.

'Ok, this is, what, the third time she's touched me today, and it's still not bothering meÉ guess I really am mellowing out' she thought as she smiled at her and answered, "you're asking me, to forgive you? I'm the one that hit you, so I think I'm the one that should be seeking forgiveness here".

"Um, well how about we call it even then, because I'm sure you didn't do that deliberately" she replied.

"Sounds good to me" Lian laughed, now that it was all over and the humor behind the actions becoming apparent, "you do know he likes you"

"Oh yeah, I've known that for ages" she answered taking her hand off Lians arm, letting it hang loosely at her side.

"Ok, just be careful, please, I don't trust him at all" Lian said picking up her small paring knife and resuming her work, "don't forget what tonight is, expect anything" she warned as she started slicing into the next box of strawberries.

"Yes dear" Sabrina laughed back, snatching one of the sliced berries and skipping off in the direction of the bar, "you've got half an hour before the first guests arrive too, have fun tonight warrior-babe"

'Warrior-babe?' Lian thought placing the finished garnishes on a fresh tray and putting them in the cool-room ready for the desserts, 'man that girl's got a weird-ass imagination at times'.

***********

Wine, women and song. Fresh food, great company and plenty of good spirits. It was a complete success. The dinner had gone off without a hitch, no mistakes being made for once, all the experienced waiting staff being on the floor for such an important occasion. So far the party had managed to go through 2 boxes of oysters, roughly the equivalent to 10 dozen trays of mixed platters, kilpatrick, mornay and natural. With canapés of shrimp, avocado, and thinly smoked salmon, bruschetta's of rye or soda bread topped with salsa and fresh basil leaves. The kitchen had managed to pull off a main course selection of beef tornados, lamb souvlaki and of course in the tradition of the evening, smoked trout with asparagus. Strawberry parfaits and an Australian classic, pavlova topped with whipped cream, passion fruit and a red berry coulis were the final piece de resistance. All the cooking staff feeling mighty proud of their efforts, even though there was a lot of dishes to be done, and mess to be cleared away before the night would be over, there were satisfied smiles on all those working in the hot room.

"I think it went pretty well huh Joe?" Lian chortled, looking through one of the portholes in the kitchen door, into the restaurant.

"Yeah, we did good Roo, real good in factÉ Have a drink with me to celebrate?" he smiled looking at the tall blonde peering through the glass, smiling as she watched the guests dancing.

"Mmm, why not, we're almost done here, not long and we can all go home" she said walking away from the door and picking up a glass of soft drink.

"No no no, not that stuff, this is what I meant" Joe snorted with glee as he produced a bottle of champagne, "it's a party Lian, we pulled off a damn good function, and everyone's still alive, there's reason to enjoy this moment!"

Laughing Lian jumped up on one of the benches and sat down, taking the sparkling glass and choosing not to ask where or how Joe had procured it, 'sometimes its safer not to know' she thought taking a sip.

"Mind if I ask you a question Lian?" Joe gently prodded, smiling to himself as he drank his eighth glass of booze for the night.

"Nah, go ahead, can't promise I'll answer, but you're welcome to ask" she replied smiling at two of the kitchenhands as they began a towel snapping contest.

"What's the deal with you and Sabrina?" he quickly shot out, looking into his glass not wanting to see her face as she answered, or vice versa.

Spraying her drink over the immediate area Lian looked wide eyed at Joe and broke into laughter, "oh gods, no Joe, there's nothing going on between us, we're just friends, that's all" she answered, choosing also to ignore her mind as it screamed the complete opposite.

"Oh, okÉ So youÉ what I meant wasÉ could IÉ umÉ" he spluttered trying to figure out some way of asking the young woman out.

"What Joe, what's on your mind?" she asked, taking another sip of her drink and hopping back on the floor and walking over to the porthole again.

"Um, would you maybe go out with me some time?" he murmured in a soft voice.

"I'm sorry, what was that, I didn't hear you?" she said back, too busy watching Sabrina through the window as the younger woman chatted to guests, making sure everything was in order.

"Would you go out with me?" he asked again, louder this time, now feeling very self -conscious.

Spinning around and looking straight at him, her face redder than it had been for a very long time mind racing trying to think of anyway to let him down gently. "Ugh, I mean, um, Joe, IÉ umÉ".

"You're not interested are you?" he answered looking back down at his feet.

Nodding at the admission Lian continued, "I think you're a great guy Joe, you're smart, talented, but I'm not the girl you're looking for" she said, hoping that he'd understand.

"Yeah, it's ok, I figured I wasn't your type anyway" he muttered walking towards the back of the kitchen.

"I'm sorry Joe" she gently called after him. 'Damn I hate thatÉ not that it's happened a lot, but it still sucks' she thought turning and looking back at the dance floor where one of the company executives had Sabrina and appeared to be having a good time.

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

Sitting in silence, waiting for some sign of life in the restaurant had to be the worst part of the job. Waiting, for hours they'd been sitting there hoping that the thief had taken the bait of a successful function with plenty of money paid out as a prime target. The bulk of the profits had been transferred to the safe in Harrys office, the remainder left in the till. Amongst the bundles of decoy cash was one marked with a pink dye that once the seal was broken would spray the thief with a luminescent paint, staining their hands for weeks.

"Oh come on, hurry up" Harry softly mumbled, having sat in the locked office for the last three hours waiting.

"Yeah yeah yeah, jeez Uncle Harry, anyone would think you wanted to go home" Sabrina chuckled as she teased her Uncle.

"I do" Lian chuckled, "sitting in a dark cold office, on a Sunday night is not what I'd call a good night out" she finished picking up a stray pen and twirling it in her fingers.

"Well thanks a lot, you're a wonderful date too!" Sabrina replied swatting the cook across the stomach.

"That's not what I meaÉ" she started to say, only to be stalled as Harry signed to both her and Sabrina to be quiet.

"Shhh, listen" he said signaling with his finger over his lips.

Footsteps quietly yet quickly pacing along the back passage could be heard. The sounds of keys in the door lock, twisting of the handle and the creaking of the hinges as the door swung open.

"Looks like we have a visitor darling" Lian said softly in a joking manner.

"Hmm, think they'll want a cup of tea?" Sabrina returned, trying to use the joke as a way to keep her butterflies under control.

The footsteps came up the hallway, pausing outside the office door, the handle twisted, both women took a breath and hoped that the intruder would not pick the lock and attempt to try the safe. Trying the door several more times the thief gave in and continued on their way.

"Phew" they all breathed quietly as they heard the robber pass the door and walk through the kitchen to the dinning room and into the bar.

"Ok, unlock the door, it's time to kick this thing into gear, Bri, would you pass me the screen please" Lian asked as she swiveled her chair around and picked up the remote for the camera and pushing the activation button.

"Sure thingÉ" she answered passing over the small box, "hey, what did you just call me?"

"Huh, um, I don't know, can we talk about it later?" she mumbled trying to buy some time. 'Oh that was smart, let your pet name for her slip out while you're trying to catch a robber, well done idiot' she chided herself.

"Yeah, we'd better concentrate on this for now" Sabrina answered turning the screen on and focusing in on the cash register.

They sat there, peering at the screen, the robbers' back to the camera. Watching as one by one the thief pulled out each packet of money, inspecting it quickly and depositing it into a small bag he'd produced from a side pocket of the dark jacket he was wearing.

"Come on you bastard, gives us a look, just one little glimpse of who you are" Harry murmured as he grew impatient.

Placing a hand on his arm, Lian grinned at her boss, "It's ok Harry, we've got him, don't worry about it"

Nodding in recognition Harry returned his gaze to the monitor and tried to focus on who it could be.

They didn't have to wait long. The thief was winding up his work when Harry leant back in his chair, forgetting that it was an old metal one that needed oiling badly. Before anyone had chance to stop him, Harry had leant back, the chair making a very high pitched squealing noise.

The robber pausing mid-motion and turning back around to face the kitchen, the camera getting a full shot of his face.

"It's Sasha!" Harry yelled trying to straighten his chair up but failing miserably, instead the seat tipping over and plummeting to the floor, throwing him onto Lian.

"Shit" Sabrina bellowed as she heard the start of running footsteps, "he's going to get away, we've got to stop him"

"WaitÉ" was Lian cried out as the eager young girl wrenched open the office door and bolted out into the kitchen, "ahh, fuckit all" she muttered climbing out from under Harry and running after her.

Running down the hall and skidding into the kitchen, Sabrina ran right into Sashas arms. Looking up into those cold eyes she shuddered as she realized just how much trouble she had gotten herself into.

"Well hello there gorgeous, what a pleasant surprise" he laughed grabbing hold of her tightly.

"Sasha, let Sabrina go, I'm warning you" Lian said calmly as she pounded into the kitchen, rounding the corner and stopping mere feet away from them.

"Oh yeah, who says, you, and what army?" he taunted back, shifting his bounty in his arms, "I donÕt know, I kind of like her right here"

"I don't need any army, there's just me, and that's more than enough" she answered back, taking a step towards the tall man.

"I'd stay right there if I were you girlie, seeing as I haveÉ well, everything I guess" Sasha laughed back mocking her.

Sabrina squirmed in his grip, trying to break free from the vice like hold he had on her, "please Sash, let me go, please" she begged.

"Oh lucky me, she's begging already, not yet precious, plenty of time for that" Sasha chortled as he flexed his grip on her arm and pulled her back in closer to him.

"Sasha, I warned you once, this is twice, now let her go" Lian said again taking another step towards him.

"And now I'm warning you, you little upstart Canadian-wannabe, fuck off. I've got the girl, the money, and if you don't back off right now, I'm going to make sure your pretty little friend here sheds her crimson blood all over this floor," he spat back suddenly producing a flick knife from under his belt. Having grown tired of the negotiations and wanting to get out of there.

Staring at him in disbelief Lian backed away, not wanting to aggravate the already unstable man. Looking at Sabrina, being held to him like he owned her, with his grip so tight upon her arm, Lian started to grow angry of her own accord. Trying to catch SabrinaÕs eye Lian smiled at her and winked and shook her foot, hoping that Sasha wouldn't see the small flicker of hope.

The pain in her arm was beyond any she'd ever sustained before, even when she was six and had fallen off her bike, breaking her arm was nothing compared to this. She was sure that Sasha was indeed cutting off the flow of blood to the limb and that if he were to squeeze a little harder would in fact break the bone in half. Looking away, trying to focus on anything but the pain, she looked right at Lian, and saw the smile that was meant just for her, then in a twinkling movement she saw her wink. A simple gesture that for some reason gave her hope.

"Ok Sasha, you're the boss, whatever you say" Lian said taking another step backwards.

"Sasha?! Sabrina?! Lian?!" Harry said surprised as he stumbled into the kitchen and seeing the stand off.

"Now!" Lian cried out as she took off running and leapt into the air, hoping that Sabrina had understood the silent message.

She had. Sending her booted foot as hard as she could into Sashas shin, Sabrina had kicked him as hard as she physically could. As soon as he'd loosened his grip in shock she quickly darted out of the way, barely seconds before Lian came flying through the air and took both herself and Sasha to the floor.

Landing straight into his chest, Lian had enough momentum behind her to push both of them crashing to the floor where she quickly sent a series of blows to his chest and jaw. Sasha now becoming aware of what had happened and shaking some sense back into his head lashed out with the knife. Catching Lian on her arm.

"Argh" she cried out as the pain shot through her arm.

Dropping the knife and pushing the woman off and jumping to his feet, Sasha was off and running before the others had chance to stop him, "this isn't over yet Lian" he shouted as he darted out the back door and into the dark street.

"LIAN!!!" Sabrina screamed as she saw the pool of blood seeping onto the floor where the taller woman lay.

"It's ok, it's just a cut. But I think you'd better take me to the hospital just the same," Lian said, trying to smile at her friend to relieve some of the worry. 'Just a cut, you bullshit artist, that's more than a damn cut and you know it' her mind snapped back at her.

"Right, Uncle Harry, can you get my keys, they're in my jacket" Sabrina said shakily quickly grabbing a wad of dishcloth from the sink and applying it to the gash on Lians arm.

"Thanks, ok let's go" Lian replied putting her hand over Sabrina's as she got up off the floor, "it'll be ok Bri, you have my word"

To Be Continued