Chapter 1

When Owen arrived at the hospital he didn't know what kind of situation he was walking into. He would do just about anything for Nikita, she had saved him, had forgiven him, given purpose to his life. When she had called, saying she needed him, then given him the name of the hospital, he didn't know what to think. Was she injured so bad that she needed to be in an actual hospital? What name was she here under? How was he going to find her? When he entered the building via the front entrance he muttered "Where are you Nikita?" under his breath. Under normal circumstances nobody would hear those words, unless perhaps he was wearing a coms unit, but he wasn't today. He was heard from across the room, by the keen hearing of the young transgenic doing a puzzle in the lounge area of reception. As Owen did a quick sweep of the room he noticed there was a boy sitting by one of the coffee tables, the boy looked up to stare directly at him. The boy continued to stare as he got up and walked towards Owen.

"Are you him?" the boy asked. What kind of question is that? Owen thought to himself, staring questioningly at the little boy. The boy straightened up beneath his stare, drawing back his shoulders, hands by his sides, "Do you have a password?" he asked.

Owen frowned, what was this? Then he began to think? Had Nikita given him any secret words, not in the phone call, earlier than that perhaps? Something that was only known between him and Nikita, then? "Butterfly?" he asked without thinking. It was something Emily made out of glass, proof that nature gave second chances. But, there was no way to know if that was the answer that was required or not, or even if this kid was anything to do with her. So what, if this kid held himself like a soldier, there are no soldiers this young in this country… He started to ramble even in his own thoughts.

"Password accepted. Pass friend" said the little boy standing slightly to the side. Then relaxing slightly, he looked back to the man in front of him frowning. "Do you know where you are headed, Sir?" at the blank look on Owen's face, he continued "If you would follow me sir? I will take you to her room." With that the boy turned and headed up the stairs at a quick walk.

Owen, startled at the turn of events, hurried to catch up with the boy. "Hey kid, you got a name?" he asked, eloquent as ever.

The boy glanced sideways at the man, taking in the back-pack and worn jacket, "Bugler". That was the name Max had given him just after she had saved their little group. Max was the first one to show him affection, treat him like family. Bugler was a sign of his freedom.

That's a strange name, thought Owen. But the kid seemed kind of guarded about it, so he let it drop. "I'm Owen", he said to finish the introductions.

Bugler glanced at him and answered in monotone, "It is known".

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As they reached the top of the stairs, they came to a fairly open corridor, the carpet was nice and the wallpaper neutral, yet in no way felt sterile, what kind of hospital was this? They clearly had a lot of money, if they had so much to spend on the decor.

There was a young woman standing by a door further down the corridor than they were. They came to a stop next to her. She nodded at Bugler as they swapped positions and the woman began to walk further down the corridor. The woman had reddish hair and pale skin with a dusting of freckles. She turned when Owen did not follow, "Mr Elliot, are you not coming? We have little time and need to move soon." Glancing at Bugler, who gave a nod, then followed the young woman. She led him down another corridor, this one slightly narrower. They came to a door, which she knocked on, asking "Permission to enter?" There was a murmur from inside and she held the door open for him. "She will meet you in there" she stated.

Owen entered feeling a little strange, where ever he was there was an interesting security detail here. He looked around the room he was currently in, there were two wooden doors with ornate doorframes, the wallpaper of one of the walls looked like shelves of books, which was curious. Next to this wall there were two chairs and a coffee table. He sat down in one of them, his back-pack still on his shoulder, then a few moments later the other door opened.

Nikita entered the room with a calm smile, "Owen, it is good to see you, thank you for coming".

Owen stood up, assessing her for any outward sign of injury or distress. Finding none, he asked, "How are you? Why am I here?"

"Owen I am sorry that I did not explain on the phone, but I couldn't. I need you to help me get checked out. But I also need you to not freak-out with what I have to show you okay?" Nikita remained eye contact throughout, this was the hard bit, she thought, "Just trust me okay?"

"Of course I trust you Nikita, just tell me what is going on" he said the first part with confidence, like it was a given.

Nikita reopened the door she had just entered by "May I?" Owen heard her murmur as he followed. "And could you give us a minute?" As Owen entered he was met with a tall young man as he was leaving. The young man closed the door on his way out. As Owen turned back to face Nikita after staring questioningly at the door, he was faced with an unfamiliar sight. He blinked to make sure he wasn't imagining this, nope, it was true. Nikita was holding a baby! Owen gasped, blinked a few more times, and then as he looked towards them, little pieces of the puzzle started falling into place.

"This is your baby, isn't it? You weren't gravely injured; you were pregnant, well, less so now, em… I mean, the baby. That was the reason, you came here, but… but what do you need me for?"

That was a fairly long speech, by Owen standards at least. Now the next bit needs to go right. Oh well, here it goes! "Yes Owen the baby is mine. Yes I wasn't ill or injured, sorry that I let you think that, but I do still need you. In order to check out, I needed a family member to be here. Well, you are the closest thing to family I have." She paused, so far so good, although I can't just leave it there… beeping started to come from her watch, accompanied by a flashing light. "Oh crap!" Nikita swore. "Look Owen I promise I will explain everything, but we have to leave now. Everything is packed. Please come with me to check out?" she looked at him, the question in her face, but also evidence of worry.

"Yes, of course" he answered.