Ellie had heard it said that things were always are clearer in the morning. But that didn't seem to case this morning. Sergeant Roberts had called her just as she had started her shift at the hospital. Sarah Walker, age 28, had checked out. Nothing on her record, not even a parking ticket. As far as he was concerned Miss Walker was a model citizen.

Ellie was relieved, somewhat. Sarah was her friend and she didn't want to think badly of her. On the other hand some sort of police record would have answered a lot of questions. Ellie chewed on the end of the pencil she was holding. But just because Sarah didn't have a record didn't mean that she wasn't a drug dealer. Maybe she was just a very good drug dealer.

She looked down again at the chart in her hand, but she couldn't concentrate. And then there was Chuck. He had spoken to her last night, though some of what he said was foggy. Ellie remembered that Chuck said he was sorry. Why was Chuck sorry? Lying. She remembered him saying he was sorry for lying to her. Finally he admitted it. She had caught him in more then a few over the past few months. But she couldn't remember if Chuck had said why he was lying. No, she didn't think he did. The part of Chuck's soliloquy that she remembered most clearly was the sadness in his voice when he said he wanted her to be proud of him. She was proud of him, he was funny and smart and thoughtful. It was true that he wasn't living up to his potential. The Stanford/Jill thing had been a big setback, but she thought that Chuck was starting to get back on track. That was until he got serious with Sarah. Since then it has be an anyone's-guess-roller-costar-ride. Ellie sighed. Proud of him? Yes, she was proud of him, he was her brother and she loved him. She just wished she could get to the bottom of what was going on and help him get his life back on track.

She just finished filling out a patient chart when her cell phone rang. "Oh, hi Sarah. Lunch today? Sure, I can come by during my break at noon. Oh, okay, I try to get a little extra time then. Yes, I'll bring the swatches. See ya then."

Ellie took a deep breath. Lunch with Sarah. That's odd. Sarah had said on the phone that she wanted to talk about some new ideas she had had about the centerpieces. She was probably really just wondering why Ellie just disappeared from the Orange Orange yesterday. Or maybe Sarah knew that she was on to her. Either way Ellie welcomed the opportunity; it was another chance to get to the bottom of things. Ellie looked around her workstation anxiously. She would just write a quick email to Devon to tell him where she was going, just in case.

On the way to the Orange Orange Ellie had decided she would just play it cool. She would let Sarah take the lead. No point in hurting anyone's feelings with false accusations. And no use angering someone who had such convenient access to a handgun.

Sarah seemed normal enough when Ellie arrived. The place was empty as usual. This time instead of sitting at the stools by the counter Ellie asked if Sarah didn't mind sitting at the table by the window. The further away from the gun the better and much quicker access to the door. Sarah had gotten some sandwiches from the deli down the street and poured some diet cokes from shop's own soda fountain. Ellie filled the first few minutes with small talk. Sarah brought up her ideas to accent the centerpieces and Ellie, mentally distracted, tried to look like she was listening.

Soon a half hour had passed. Sarah was charming and Ellie started to settle down and breathe a little easier. Maybe she had just jumped to conclusions.

Just as Ellie was taking the last bite of her sandwich, a large man dressed all in black burst in the door. A ski mask covered his face. He raised a gun and pointed it at Sarah, "Give me all the money in the register," he barked. "NOW!"

Sarah immediately put up her hands. "It's okay, don't shoot, I'll get the money." She turned to Ellie, raised her hand as if to tell her to stay in her seat. "Just stay calm, I'll give this guy what he wants and then he'll go."

"Damn right you will!" he yelled. "Get the money now!"

Sarah hurried around the counter and opened the cash register.

"Put all the cash in a bag," he ordered. "That's right, now put it down on the counter and back away." Sarah hesitated. "I said back away!"

Waving the gun between Ellie and Sarah the man grabbed the bag off of the counter. Glancing inside the bag he swore. "Is this all you got?"

"That's it," Sarah said, "Now take the money and go."

"No, I don't think so! I think you're holding out on me." With three large steps that man had crossed the room, in two more steps he grabbed Sarah by the arm.

"I told you to give me ALL the money!' He shook Sarah roughly. "There has to be more then this somewhere. And I'm not leaving until I find it."

As the man started to shove everything off the counter, Sarah being dragged along by his large hand, Ellie saw her chance to call for help. Very slowly she slipped her hand into her purse and started feeling around for her cell phone.

"You there!" Ellie froze. "What are you doing?" The man released Sarah, raised his gun and pointed it at Ellie. That was his big mistake. Just as he did, Sarah spun and landed a round house right to the man's jaw. He went flying up and over the counter, sprawling on the floor in front of where Ellie still sat. He pointed his gun towards Sarah. Sarah leapt and kicked out at the weapon. The gun flew out of the man's hand and crashed into the wall. The man threw himself at Sarah. She quickly dodged out of the way and he went crashing into some tables, head first.

"Forget this," the man said. He lunged for his gun and ran for the door. He knocked over the table where Ellie was sitting, and sent fabric and the contents of Ellie's purse all over the floor. The bell on the door jingled as the man ran around the side of the building and was soon out of sight.

"Are you okay?" Ellie asked, taking Sarah in an embrace.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I'm going to call the police," Sarah said, breathing heavily.

Sarah turned and got her cell phone from behind the counter. Ellie started to pick up her personal things, her hands were shaking.

"They said they would look for the guy and send an officer over for our statements." Sarah said after a minute.

"Thank God you weren't killed," Ellie said. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Do what?" Sarah asked.

"That ninja kicking thing." Ellie gestured her hands in the air. "And don't tell me it was at girl scouts. I want you to be honest with me for once."

"No, it wasn't at girl scouts." Sarah righted the table and chair where they had been sitting. Sarah took a deep breath, visibly shaken. "Ellie, I can't… I don't know where to even begin."

Done with picking up her things Ellie took her chair again. Sarah remained standing. "Why don't you just come out and say it. Whatever it is."

Sarah signed and took the seat across from Ellie. "I'm sorry Ellie, I haven't been totally honest with you." When Ellie didn't respond Sarah continued. "Chuck and I weren't out roller skating the other night. And that isn't how Chuck got hurt."

Ellie tried to look surprised at this news. "Really?"

Sarah looked down at her hands. "For the last few months I've been doing - something. Chuck's been kind enough to go with me and help me out with it."

Ellie felt anxious. "What Sarah, what have you and Chuck been doing?"

Sarah opened her mouth but no sound came out. Then she seemed to resolve herself. "I've been taking a self defense class and Chuck's been going with me."

"Chuck's been helping you learn self defense?" Ellie asked incredulously.

Sarah smiled. "Well, not teach me or anything, he is just someone to practice on."

"And that's how Chuck got his shoulder separated?"

"Let's just say I got in a really good throw."

Things were starting to make sense now.

"But Sarah, why would you keep self defense classes a secret? I think it's wonderful that you learned to do that. That kick you landed on that guy was incredible. Just like Jackie Chan."

"Ellie," Sarah's voice turned soft. "Can you keep something confidential? I mean, it probably isn't dangerous that you know this, but I'm not supposed to tell anyone. "

"You can tell me anything Sarah, you know that," Ellie said.

"This is hard for me to talk about." Sarah took a moment to compose herself. My dad. I told you about how he didn't like hospitals. There is more to it then that. He wasn't a very good man. He conned some very dangerous people out of a lot of money." Sarah paused, her eyes started to fill with tears. "When I was still living with my dad, those men came after us. They told my dad that they would kill me if he didn't give them their money back."

Ellie reached out her hand and placed it on Sarah's. "What happened? Your dad gave them the money right?"

"No" said Sarah, "He had already spent it. So we went on the run. And then my dad was caught by the police. But those men he cheated were still out there."

A single tear ran down Sarah's cheek. Ellie reached into her purse and pulled out a pack of tissues and offered Sarah one. She took it and dabbed at her eyes.

"It wasn't safe anymore, so I told the police that I would tell them everything they needed to know if they would protect me and my dad." Sarah said.

"And so you testified against him?"

Sarah nodded. "And against the men he conned. My dad went to jail, and they told me they would find a place where I would be safe."

"Sarah," Ellie gasped, connecting the dots of what Sarah was saying. "You're in the witness protection program?"

"Yes," Sarah said. "They moved me here, gave me a job, an apartment, a car and got me set up on a new life."

"A job? You mean the government owns the Orange Orange?" Ellie asked.

"I don't know. They moved me here from the Weinerlicious. They said it was safer."

"And that's why you've taken self defense classes, and that's why you keep that hand gun under the counter?"

"You know about the gun?" Sarah asked with a broken voice.

"I'm sorry Sarah, I found it when I was in here the other day. That's why I thought… well, it doesn't matter. Now I know the truth."

Sarah clutched Ellie's hand tightly. "That was years ago. I've started a new life now. I'm in a new place, a new job, a new boyfriend. I don't want any of that ruined, so don't tell anyone. Not even Devon, not even Chuck. I shouldn't have even told you."

"Doesn't Chuck know?" Ellie asked

"Yes, he knows enough. But you guys should never talk about it. I mean never."

"He isn't in any danger is he? These people, do you think they are still after you?"

"I don't think so. It's been a few years since anything has happened. It's probably blown over now. No, as long as I keep my head down I'll be okay. I have a lot of great people watching out for me. And they are watching out for Chuck too whenever I'm with him."

Ellie let out a long breath. "That is such a relief."

"A relief? Why? I thought you would be worried if you knew."

"I thought you and Chuck were in some kind of trouble. I'm just glad you guys are safe."

Just then a police car pulled into the parking lot, light flashing. Ellie was relieved that they had arrived so fast.

As she and Sarah stood from the table, Sarah touched her arm and looked fiercely into Ellie's eyes. "I promise you, Ellie, I will never let anything happen to your brother."

"I know you won't." Ellie said. "And now with your ninja moves, you can fight all the bad guys off. Right?"

"Right," Sarah agreed, "looks like that class at the Y has paid off."

After making her statement to the police officer and a call into the hospital, Ellie drove home. She felt exhausted,
but her mind was abuzz with all that she had learned. She couldn't wait to tell Devon about the attempted robbery at the Orange Orange. She and Sarah had agreed on a story, close enough to the truth but leaving out Sarah's incredible new self defense skills and that Sarah was in the witness protection program. She hated lying to her fiancé, but she knew that it was necessary to protect Sarah's secret.

And Chuck, Ellie knew that she couldn't talk with him about what she knew, but she could tell him more often how proud she was of him. She resolved that from now on she would be more supportive of him, even if she didn't understand all that was going on. He deserved that much from her.

Ellie smiled to herself. If she was being honest, she was glad that she couldn't talk about it. She felt a little sheepish about the crazy conclusions she had come to. But one good thing came out of all this, Ellie was convinced that Sarah was the perfect match for her little brother after all.

****

Across town, Sarah Walker had just made it home from her day at work. She picked up her cell phone and dialed a number she knew by heart. "Casey? Yes, she took it hook, line, and sinker. No, I don't think we'll have any more trouble from her, our cover is secure. You did a great job. Oh, sorry about that. Put ice on it. Yeah. See you in the morning."

The End

Author's notes

The author makes no money from the characters in this story that may resemble certain characters on a prime time NBC TV show.

I hope you found the end of this story satisfactory. The hardest part of writing this story was all the things I couldn't say because the story needed to be told from Ellie's point of view. I trust that my readers can well imagine what might be going on "off screen."

Thank you to all who took the time to read and especially to those who reviewed. I'd also like to thank the other writers here who have provided me with countless hours of entertainment.