It was better now. The pain in her head was fading to a dull throb. She opened her eyes to see the dog staring up at her with that endearing cross-eyed soberness. "Stop worrying," she murmured. "Just a bad moment."

The hospital. She'd been on her way to the hospital to visit the kids. It was only a few blocks away and she didn't dare drive right now. She turned left and started up the street. "It's going to be okay."

God, she hoped it was going to be okay.

Fire.

Brad Silver's hands tightened on the wheel of his car as he fought to keep the image away.

He couldn't breathe.

He pulled over to the side of the road and switched off the ignition. Ride it out. It was usually over quickly.

Christ, the smell.

Then it was gone and he leaned his head on the steering wheel, gasping for breath.

He reached blindly for his phone and dialed. "Dammit, Travis. I almost wrecked the car. Get me out of this."

"Easy, Brad." Michael Travis's tone was soothing. "She must be having a bad time. Is it still going on?"

"No, but it may come back. It has before. Why the hell isn't she more controlled?"

"Denial. How close are you to her?"

"A mile or two. She's on her way to some hospital."

"Maybe that's it. Perhaps someone's been hurt."

"No, it's her usual weekly visit to the pediatrics ward. She's not upset. Or she wasn't before this episode. Can you do anything to quiet her down?"

"No, I told you she was a wild card. And dirt stubborn. If she calls and asks for help, I might have a chance. Otherwise, you're on your own."

"Thanks a lot," Silver said sarcastically. "You're the one who told me how much help she was going to be to me. You just neglected to tell me that she might kill me before we were through with each other."

"You knew how she could rock you."

"The hell I did. I've never been this close to her before."

"You can always back out and we'll try to find someone else."

Silver thought about it. It was tempting. Kerry Murphy was a powder keg set to go off. He liked to be in control, and these last few minutes had proved he'd have the devil of a time keeping her in check enough to manipulate her.

"Brad?"

"I've devoted too much time to her to walk away. I know her inside and out."

"Yes, you do. Probably better than she knows herself."

"I'll handle her."

"No force. I know what you're capable of. I don't want her damaged."

"I said, I'll handle her. You just stand by in case I need a backup." He added grimly, "Or an ambulance." He hung up and took a deep breath before pulling out into the traffic again. Only a couple more miles on this freeway. If he concentrated, he could keep his guard up long enough to get to her. After that, he'd play it by ear. He didn't want Kerry damaged either, and he could usually trust his knowledge and experience to overcome his own violent impulses. He'd learned long ago that finesse was better than force. He just hoped this looming battle wouldn't prove the exception.

Or neither one of them would survive.

Orange juice?" Melody Vanetti smiled down at Kerry sitting cross-legged on the floor of the hospital lounge. "You've been reading to the kids for the past hour. You must be a little dry."

"Thanks, Melody." She took the orange juice from the nurse. "I seem to be forgotten for the moment. Sam's on center stage." She grinned. "Not that I'm surprised. I don't know any child in the world who'd prefer a grown-up to a dog."

"You're great with the kids." Melody tilted her head. "But you look a little tired today."

"Nah," Kerry said. "I'm good. Even if I wasn't, I wouldn't dare complain. These guys would make me feel ashamed." Her smile faded. "Who's the new kid? The one with his arm around Sam."

"Josh. Came in with burns on his arms. We're stalling until DFACS can make sure they weren't inflicted by his grandmother."

"Sweet." The kid looked to be only four or five and he was hugging Sam, his face buried in his throat. She felt a wrenching pang as she saw the bruises on his face. But he was smiling now, and that was no surprise. Kerry had found that kids responded to Sam no matter how damaged they were. "If I can help, let me know."

"What could you do?"

Kerry shrugged. "Find someone to declare the grandmother's house a fire hazard so she wouldn't have a residence to bring the kid back to? I don't know. Just do me a favor and let me know."

"Sure. It's nice of you to care." She started for the door. "I have meds to give. I'll come back and check on you later."

"We'll be okay. And the kids aren't going to get into any mischief as long as they have Sam to play with." She checked her watch. Everything must be all right at the tire company. She'd been here over an hour and she'd been fine. A dull throbbing headache, but that wasn't unusual. It was a big fire, a dangerous fire. Naturally, she'd be nervous and afraid of- Backdraft.

An oak door on the third floor.

Smoke. He can't see.

Who couldn't see?

Two men climbing the stairs toward the door.

The burning stairs were crashing behind them.

Go back. Go back, Charlie.

It was Charlie. Oh, God, she'd known it would be Charlie.

They'd reached the third floor.

Don't open the door, Charlie.

Backdraft. Backdraft.

He opened the door.

That deadly whoosh.

Fire. Everywhere. Hurt. He was hurting.

"Kerry." Melody was looking down at her with concern. "Are you okay?"

No. Hurting. Hurting.

She leaped to her feet. "Sick. I have to get to the bathroom." She ran out of the lounge and down the hall.

Hurting. Hurting.

Find a place to hide. Somewhere dark where no one could find her.

Closet.

She opened the door and slammed it behind her. Alone. The closet was dim and small and she'd be safe here. But what about Charlie?

Dear God, she could smell smoke and burning flesh. She sank to her knees and scuttled back against the wall.

Hurting. Hurting. Hurting.

2.

For God's sake, shut it out."

Someone was standing silhouetted in the open doorway, she realized dimly. A man. A tall man. A doctor? It didn't matter.

Hurting. Hurting. Hurting.

The door slammed behind the man and he was kneeling beside her. "Listen to me. You've got to shut it out."

"Charlie."

"I know." He took her hands. "But you can't help him by hurting like this."

"He's in pain-backdraft. Down . . . down . . ."

"And you can't shut it out." He drew a deep breath. "But I can. Don't be scared. I'm coming in."

What was he talking about?

"Look at me." His dark eyes were holding her own. "It's going to go away now."

It wouldn't go away. The smoke and the fire were going to go on forever. Charlie . . .

They're coming up the stairs to get you, Charlie.

Too late.

Hurting. Hurt- The pain was gone. Charlie was gone. No smoke. No fire.

A blue lake. Sunlight. Green grass.

Peace.

"Come on." He was standing, pulling her to her feet. "We have to get out of here. I don't how long I can hold it back."

Two deer were coming to drink at the lake. A soft breeze was blowing the tall grass.

"Come on." He opened the door and pulled her out into the corridor. "We're going to go get Sam and then you're going home."

"Charlie . . ."

"He's not here at the lake now. We'll go back to him later." He was pulling her down the corridor toward the lounge. "I'll explain everything and get us out of here. But when we enter the room, you have to smile at the kids. You don't want them to worry."

No, children shouldn't worry. Their world should always be full of sunlight. How they'd love to be away from the city by this beautiful lake.

And suddenly they were there. She could see the little boy, Josh, laughing as he ran through the grass.

"Are you all right?" It was Melody Vanetti, gazing worriedly at her. "I went to the rest room to check on you, but you weren't there."

"She's a little under the weather," the man holding her arm said. "I ran into her in the hall and took her out to get a little fresh air." He smiled and held out his hand. "You're Nurse Vanetti? She's told me how good you are with the kids. I'm Brad Silver. I work with Kerry."

Melody shook his hand, but she was still frowning as she gazed at Kerry. "Do you think she should see one of the doctors?"

"That's what I suggested, but she just wants to go home. Isn't that right, Kerry?"

Home was the lake. Home was the children playing in the meadow.

"Kerry?"

She nodded. "I want to go home."

"Then I'll just go get Sam." Silver moved across the room toward the children. He squatted beside Josh.

But how could that be when she could see Josh running by the lake? Silver must be talking to some other little boy.

"I have to take your buddy away now," he said gently to the little boy who looked like Josh. "But I promise you'll see him again." He touched the little boy on the shoulder. "Everything's going to be all right." He smiled at the other children as he led Sam toward Kerry. "Kerry will see you next week. She has to leave now." He nodded at Melody. "Thanks for everything. I'll let you know how she's doing once I get her home."

Then he was nudging Kerry out of the lounge and down the hall.