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Danni reeled backwards, staggering from both the impact of the gun and the weight of her guilt, her gaze pinned to the still form on the ground. She stared incredulously at her still smoking gun, as though she had never seen it before.

What have I done?she thought in anguish.

A heart-wrenching, soul tearing pain filled her, blinding in its agony. An uncontrollable grief consumed her threatening to overwhelm her, so great was her angst. Her entire body started to tremble. It wasn't like this when Lucas…she squeezed her eyes shut, remembering another time, another place. With Lucas she had just felt numb;cold. She'd just felt empty.

Or rather she hadn't felt anything at all.

With Lucas it was as though a part of her had been torn out, leaving an empty, gaping hole, a huge void where her heart used to be. A void which eventually filled up with an anger so great, so cold, so crushing that it had scared everyone she knew. She'd changed then, becoming distant because no one understood what she felt. If she was going to survive then she would have to be strong. She'd learnt to trust no one, care for no one, rely on no one.

Until now.

What was it about this woman, this stranger, that affected her this way?

She'd killed people she loved with less reaction.

Until now.

Her eyes fell on Julia's prone body again and she looked away not focusing on anything in particular.

Something was wrong. Even in the midst of her torment and confusion, her brain picked up on that and began toying with it. Something was out of place, something she couldn't put her finger on. She was missing some detail, some piece of the puzzle. She frowned, slowly regaining her composure, her thoughts fixed on the detail that eluded her.

Something just wasn't right…

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she did so, letting her senses take over.

Suddenly, her eyes snapped open excitedly.

That's it!She couldn't smell anything!To be more precise she couldn't smell any blood.

Her eyes focused on the wooden fence in front of her.

A bullet hole.

She was staring at a bullet hole on the wooden fence. The bullet hole was at the top of the fence. The fence was at least seven feet tall.

She froze as she considered the implications of what that meant.

She had missed!

For a moment, euphoria flooded her;pure, unblemished in any way. Never before had she been so happy to miss. She didn't allow herself to think about it. Somewhere in the last twenty-four hours she had changed, or at least part of her had. It all had to do with Julia Taylor.

She just couldn't kill her. She didn't know how she knew this, she didn't know why. She simply knew it as a truth.

So what do you plan to do about it?

She remembered Julia then, and shot a quick glance at the motionless form before disappearing into the shadows of the deserted alley.

* * *

Julia opened her eyes slowly, feeling the cold ground under her body, its roughness against her cheek. There was a ringing in her ears and her head felt heavy.

Oh God, I didn't pass out on the floor of the pub again, did I?I swear I'm going to kill Elaine.

She tried to sit up, and groaned. Bad idea.

She looked around her, taking her surroundings in with surprise. She was sprawled on the ground in an abandoned alley. She shivered, wrapping her arms around herself.

Even though it was broad daylight, the alley was cold and dark, full of shadows.

What am I doing here?What happened?

She pulled herself to her feet, staggering and swaying as she did so, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the dim light.

It began to come back to her in bits and pieces. She had been waiting in the alley to meet one of her sources, she remembered. She'd wanted to find out the identity of the men who were after her. They already seemed to have that advantage over her.

Then there was this…explosion behind her and she had thrown herself instinctively to the ground, hitting her head against it.

She turned around to find a bullethole in the fence behind her.

Oh god .

They're trying to kill me.

She was moving before she'd even realised it.

While she'd barely been able to stand a minute ago, now she was sprinting with the determination of an Olympic gold medallist.

Suddenly she felt arms around her waist pulling her toward the semi-darkness.

Panic exploded within her and she began flailing her arms and legs frantically. Those arms settled around her in a hold as strong as iron, rendering her helpless. She opened her mouth to yell but the move was anticipated and a hand was clamped over her mouth.

It's over.

Even as she thought this her body went limp, ceasing her efforts to free herself, her chin falling on her chest. Suddenly, she was so tired.

Why fight it?she reasoned wearily. They always seem one step ahead.

"Relax, "said a voice in her ear;a voice as soft as falling snow. "It's just me, ".

The arms relinquished their hold and she spun around to face her captor.

"It's you, "she breathed, as her eyes locked with those of her adversary.

Eyes that were neither a bright blue nor a piercing silver but a colour in between that was unlike any she'd ever seen before. Blazing, intense eyes, gleaming in the darkness like those of an animal.

Danni's lips curved into a wry smile. "Why?Where you expecting someone else?".

"Don't do that!"Julia cried, her heart still pounding painfully hard in her chest.

Danni grinned. "Well it was the only way to get your attention, ".

"You scared the life out of me!". Julia hit Danni's arm, the obvious amusement in the other woman's expression annoying her. The adrenaline and fear that had kept her going dissipated as she realised the seriousness of what had happened. Her knees went weak and she let out a cry.

Danni wrapped a supportive arm around her. "Are you all right?"she asked anxiously, concern shining evidently in her eyes. Julia nodded weakly.

"Hang on, "Danni said, coming to a quick decision and started to help her to her car.

* * *

"What do you think?"Julia asked softly, her eyes fixed on Danni's face. She had just told Danni the entire sordid story, starting with the phone call she'd received, ending with the murder attempt on her life. Danni stared at the road ahead, considering the question. She was wearing a pair of sunglasses as dark as the finishing on a grand piano. They hid her eyes effectively. Her face was equally stoic. As a result, Julia had absolutely no idea what she was thinking.

She must be bloody unbelievable at poker, Julia marveled.

Even though it was the afternoon, Danni was clothed in black jeans, a black t-shirt and an oversized leather jacket that went well with her midnight hair. It made her seem even more surreal, even more enigmatic, even more beautiful. There was something aloof about her, something remote, as though she'd cloaked herself in indifference. This was a far cry from the woman who had teased her earlier. It made her seem less human, like some kind of…vampire, Julia decided. She stifled a hysterical giggle as she imagined Danni with fangs.

"I don't think that you have very many options, "Danni said thoughtfully, breaking into her thoughts. "You can't go to the police because you don't have any evidence. You can't go back to your life because they're after you. You can't print the story because you really have no idea what the hell is going on, ".

"Gee thanks, "Julia said, a little miffed. "You know just how to make a person feel better, ".

Danni gave a small grin. "There's only one thing we can do, really, ".

Julia stared at her, surprised. "We?"

"Yeah. We, "Danni replied, her lips parting to reveal brilliant, white teeth. "You obviously need my help. After all, you've already broken the cardinal rule, ".

"What is that?"Julia asked, curiousity lighting her eyes.

Danni took off her sunglasses and turned to look at her for a second before turning her attention back to the steering wheel. They shimmered, almost liquid. Her tone was light, but the look in her eyes totally serious. "Don't screw with the big boys, ".

* * *

Danni watched as Julia digested that, feeling disgusted with herself as she watched her eyes spark with fear. She looked back to the road ahead.

Once in the car, she'd offered to drive Julia home, knowing fully well that Julia would refuse, that Julia would probably confide in her then. Any other time she might have felt proud at the way she'd manipulated the younger woman, anticipating her reactions so accurately. Now she just felt sick. The story was pretty much as she'd guessed. Julia had witnessed something she wasn't supposed to see and now Antonio wanted her head.

Now the only problem was apparently the one hired to kill her was trying to save her life.

Exactly how did this happen?she wondered, thoroughly confused. How was it possible that in the space of twenty-four hours my entire world has turned upside down?

"What do we do?"Julia asked, subdued.

Damn. What indeed.

She had to tell her the truth. She had to. There was no other way .

The little voice reared its ugly head. You do that and she'll never trust you. You need her to trust you to save her. Besides, what will you tell her? 'I tried to kill you, I'm sorry'?What's more inportant?Her hating you or saving her life?

For some reason, the thought of Julia hating her filled her with infinite regret.

She felt as though she were standing at the edge of a huge chasm;at the precipice of a great cliff. Whatever she did now would change things irrevocably forever. She met Julia's trusting gaze.

She jumped.

"I used to be a cop. I know some people, I can call in some favours. Get the story, "she heard herself say.

Julia touched her hand gently. "Thank you, "she whispered gratefully.

Relief flooded her. Relief and a strange underlying grief for something that might have been, something that could never be.

Her lips twisted in a bitter smile. "No problem, ".

Well, that's the end of part four. If you liked it, write me . If you didn't write me anyway and lie. xenickz@hotmail.com