Anna packed up her bag, gathering her last pen before it rolled off the desk. Someone tapped the corner and she smiled up at Gwen. "Hey stranger."

"Hey yourself." Gwen nodded at her, "How's the little lemon?"

"You're not calling it that."

"Sea monkey?"

Anna groaned, "The baby is fine. I heard the heartbeat yesterday."

"And? The regular pitter-patter of a human or the steady thump of a zombie? You are carrying low."

"It sounded like a tiny drum." Anna smiled to herself, "It was beautiful."

"Do you have pictures? I assume you do?" Gwen leaned in as Anna pulled out the ultrasound photo. "Oh, Anna, it's adorable."

"I know."

"Look at that shapeless mass there and-" Anna snatched the picture back as Gwen grinned at her. "I hope it has your eyes."

"I guess we can hope it looks entirely like me." They walked into the corridor, emptying of students as they all hurried to other classes or to their evening activities. "I don't know if I could stand to see if it looked like anyone else."

Gwen nodded, running her fingers along the strap of her bag. "Has there been any development there?"

"No," Anna shook her head. "The police there know nothing, the hostel didn't have cameras, and everyone else was either still out or passed out."

"Do you think…?" Gwen stopped, biting her lip, "I know this is a horrible thing to suggest, but do you think it was someone on the trip?"

"I've had those nightmares but I can't imagine anyone on the trip being that…" Anna flailed, "I don't even have words for it."

"Yeah," Gwen shook her head, "It was stupid to say it. I just… I just don't imagine some bloke wanders into that building and lucks out to find you there."

"Whatever happened I'm trying to put it as far behind me as possible."

"Before your behind sticks out farther than you thought possible?"

Anna swatted at Gwen again. "You're no help at all."

"Just stay fit and don't fall to any crazy cravings and you'll be fine." Gwen pulled her keys from her bag, "I ran into Mary the other day."

"No one just runs into Mary." Anna leaned on the passenger side of the car and waited for the click before pulling the door open. "Why were you meeting with her?"

"Seems there's an opening since the designer they wanted for the office job'll be a little busy nursing a baby." Gwen pointed at herself, "I got your original offer and they'll transfer me another office when you're capable of bringing the little gurgling Sea Monkey into the workplace and using a table like a normal person."

"You make it sound like I'm going to be an alien for awhile on an anthropological mission."

"I was hoping you'd focus on something else in that whole statement." Gwen shifted in her seat, "You're not angry I accepted the job are you?"

"We both need to eat, Gwen. And they already offered me a job so…"

"But," Gwen shrugged, "Something about it still feels like I cut into your underbelly."

"My belly's fine." Anna patted the area. "And I think Crawley Creations'll be lucky to have the two of us working on their projects."

"Until we break away and form our own company." Gwen spread her hand across the windshield like she was wiping down a sign. "Dawson and Smith, Decorators Extraordinaire."

"Let's not settle on that title just yet." Anna jumped and reached for her vibrating phone. Her face scrunched and Gwen leaned over enough to read the caller ID and give a scoff of her own.

"Don't answer that."

"It might be important."

"If he's calling it's because he wants to invite you to a party or he's hoping to cheat off your work." Gwen made air quotations with her next phrase, "I know what 'study groups' with Alex Green mean."

"Fine." Anna tapped to send a message instead and tucked her phone away. "And if you took the job at Mary's then what happened to London?"

"John didn't get in to the London school he wanted so he's going to America." Gwen tried to wave away Anna's immediate argument. "It's only two years and I'm taking every holiday I can to visit him. Then we'll find a place where he'll get hired and we'll… see where we go from there."

"He's still not asked you?"

Gwen shrugged, "John's practical and I understand that."

"He could do to be a bit more romantic." Anna rested her head back against the seat. "I guess if he's what you want then who am I to stand in the way of that?"

"He is and I think he wants to be that for me but he's got this weird complex that says he's got to be 'this tall to ride' and he doesn't think he's gotten there yet."

"Doesn't help your father sits the Queen's Bench." Anna shuddered, "I'm never doing a holiday meal at your house. Made me feel like I was under cross examination the whole time and that horribly misguided term in law came back with crushing force."

"Says the girl who's father wouldn't stop preaching to me about the evils of living with a man before marriage." Gwen wiped at her sleeve and finally put the car in gear to drive out of the lot. "I couldn't have John sleep in the same bed for a week I felt so guilty."

"At least he didn't tell you that your promiscuity brought down the judgments of God." Anna muttered quietly and Gwen turned to her at the light. "He's convinced this baby's a punishment for skirts that are too short and not honoring my parents."

"Technically he's not your parent."

"Depends on which law he decides he'll follow." Anna shook her head, "It gets even more odd when he says that my not being able to travel the world as a writer for Mr. Crawley's agency is a blessing because then I couldn't corrupt the innocent into making a move on me."

"What a stuck up bastard." Gwen seethed, banging her hand on the steering wheel. "I'd strangle that douchebag with his own collar and then suffocate him with a condom if he wasn't so convinced he'd go to Heaven as a martyr to his cause for the act."

"Your dedication to that thought is admirable." Anna pulled her phone out, "He'll just keep calling."

"Then block his number and tell him to go f-"

"Hello?" Anna glared at Gwen as the other woman scowled behind the wheel. "Yes this is she."

"He already knows it's your phone? Who else is going to answer it?' Gwen muttered to herself but Anna shot her one more look before sticking a finger in her free ear to make sure she could hear the voice on the other end. "Could you repeat that? I missed it."

"Charles and I are having a party tonight, celebrating end of term, and wanted to know if you want to come."

"I don't go out so close to exams, Alex."

"It's just a small thing."

"All the more reason to stay away." Gwen hissed and Anna turned even more away from her to listen.

"Alex, I've got a lot of studying to do and I've got some perspective applications to write."

"We all know you already got that job working for the Crawleys." He snorted over the phone. "And we're thinking of making it a study party."

"That's not what's going to happen Alex. I'm tired, I've got exams to prepare for, and I'm not drinking anything stronger than tea."

"I'd think not after you gave yourself alcohol poisoning in Rome." Alex's voice laughed and Anna ground her teeth when she heard others laughing in the background. "It's just a few drinks Anna. You can bring Gwen if you think she'll help you cap a limit."

"No thanks." Anna ended the call and shook her head, clicking a few buttons to block the number. "I should've listened to you months ago."

"He's been insufferable all four years we've been in this program and only got worse after Rome." Gwen sighed, "Not as bad as Charles though."

"I didn't expect him to drop out but I guess when your father's the Dean and Ethel makes a big announcement you're the father of her baby there's only so many ways to save the family reputation." Anna propped her elbow on the door and rested her head on her hand, closing her eyes. "She was there yesterday."

"At the clinic?"

"Yeah." Anna opened her eyes, "I guess she wasn't just trying to get him to grow a pair and get it together to marry her."

"I've got an uncomfortable feeling they were sleeping together for longer than their little trysts on the Italy trip." Gwen shuddered, "And knowing Ethel, she'd be so invested she'd take Charles's dare."

"What dare?"

"There's been some talk around a few of the girls from the Prague trip last year-"

"The ones who went home early?"

Gwen nodded, "They say Charles likes to challenge himself."

"I hope you're not talking about a ménage à trois or anything."

"French terms might not go amiss but no," Gwen shook her head, turning down a little street. "He liked to try the pull out because he apparently prefers to go bareback. He dares girls to test his skills and I think Ethel might've been dumb enough to take him up on it."

"Gross." Anna made a face. "They invented condoms for a reason."

"Something your…" Gwen stopped, "I still think they should've demanded a sample from everyone in that hostel. They could've matched them."

"You're assuming he was there and didn't immediately skip after the fact." Anna forced herself to look forward as Gwen pulled the car to a halt outside a cottage that resembled those on either side brick for brick but for the large cross hanging in the window.

"The woman at the desk said no one checked out."

"She was asleep when we got back with our espressos, Gwen." Anna grabbed her things, "Just… I need to move on and it's not helping if I keep thinking about how all these things could've been different. I need to focus on the future and right now that is my thesis and those exams."

"I'm sorry." Gwen put a hand to her hair, pushing her red locks back from her face. "I just… I can't help but feel guilty."

"Why would you feel guilty?"

"Because I should've stayed with you. Made sure you got back to your room safely and then it wouldn't have happened." Gwen stopped Anna speaking, "I'm not looking for you to make me feel better about it and I don't want to make this about me, because it's not, but I let you down Anna. And I have to live with that."

"You didn't let me down." Anna covered her hand, "It's not something we could've ever seen coming."

"I know." Gwen wiped at her eyes, "What about the Sea Monkey. What's going to happen to it?"

"Mum and the Vicar still want me to put it up for adoption." Anna sighed, "I've not decided but they keep pushing these papers in my direction and telling me all about this couple desperate for a baby."

"Then they should try adopting a baby someone's actually set on getting rid of." Gwen turned toward the house, sticking out her tongue as the cover of the window pulled back. "Tell them to suck eggs and stop forcing you into decisions."

"It's difficult to tell someone that when you live in their house rent free."

"Now that you've got a job lined up I'll let you take our spare room rent free until you've got enough cash to pay for the spot." Gwen shrugged, "With John leaving in two months for school in America I'll need someone to take half the bills."

"You do realize you'd be answering to the beck and screams of a baby in that scenario, right?"

Gwen shrugged, "We've got a couple of night-time gymnasts I think need a bit of disruption to their routine."

"I'll think on it." Anna opened the door, "But I might still decide adoption's the best thing anyway."

"But let it be your choice, Anna, not your parents'." Gwen shuddered, "If I didn't know your father personally I'd wonder how you grew up with that woman."

"It's his birthday the day after my defense." Anna smiled to herself, "How cool is that?"

"I think we should find a way to celebrate." Gwen waved at her, "See you bright and early tomorrow. We've got a mountain of notes to start reviewing."

"Don't remind me." Anna shut the door and turned up the little garden path to put her key in the door.

But it opened before she could fit the key to the lock and a tall man in a black suit with a prominent white collar stood there. "You're late."

"Our class ran over." Anna tried to enter the door but he blocked her. "I'm sorry I'm late but I came as soon as I was able."

"That red-headed harlot kept you in her car for-"

"Oh for shitssake." Anna pushed past him, "She's not nearly the harlot you seem to think she is. She's got a steady boyfriend."

"They're not married."

"And we live in the twenty-first century." Anna went to walk down the corridor but his hand landed on her shoulder and turned her around to face him.

"I'll not have such flagrant flaunting of God's law in my house."

"Then it's a good thing you only know how to do missionary position in the dark."

"You-"

"Darling?" Both turned toward the sitting room as the door opened and Anna's mother entered the corridor with a stretched smile. "I think you forgot that we've company."

"Company?" Anna peeked into the room and her eyes widened at the sight of Nurse Bates and a younger woman with him. "Nurse Bates, I thought the next appointment was next month."

"It is." He smiled at her, standing to shake her hand and then the Vicar's. "I'm here to introduce you to Nurse Sybil Crawley, she's-"

"Sybil." Anna dropped her bag to embrace the woman. "I didn't know you'd already got your posting after you finished your course."

"My Dad got me the interview." Sybil shrugged, "He and Nurse Bates are old friends. Said they needed another trained nurse and midwife and I thought, why not?"

Anna turned back to John, noting the slightly stunned expression on his face he tried to wipe off in a hurry. "Sybil's the younger sister of my future boss."

"Mary's going to be your boss?"

"Yes. I'll be working at her design firm as an interior designer and architect."

"Ah," John nodded, "Studying the Roman structures in Italy."

"Yes." Anna hurried to find a seat as her mother and stepfather took their seats on the sofa, close but not intimate. "Learning all about design and engineering."

"The beauty is in the expression of mathematical principles expressed with art from the soul." John smiled, "That's what my maths professor once said in the one and only lecture I ever attended."

"Did you want to be an architect?"

"Nothing so ambitious." John shook his head, "I was hoping to be an artist."

"Why didn't you?"

"I decided whittling was the most artistic I would ever get and that was fine."

"Our Lord and Savior was a wood carver," They all turned their heads as the Vicar spoke. "There is nobility in the humility one gains in the working of wood."

"Do you carve, sir?" John turned his attention to the Vicar but the other man would not meet his gaze.

"No. I'm entirely occupied by my duties to my parish."

"Then your hobbies must be religion?" John whistled, "That's a fascinating endeavor."

"It's a lifetime commitment."

"And you're all the more noble for it." John turned to Anna, "We actually came by because we need to discuss your options."

"Options?" Anna caught the paling of her mother's face. "You don't mean to suggest she should…"

"Abort the child?" John shook his head. "I'm not of the mind to recommend that kind of action."

"It's against God."

"Be that as it may, Vicar," John held the man's eyes locked with his, "We do recognize that if Ms. Smith wants to take that route she's entitled the to the care we can give her."

"To kill a child of God is a sin."

"Then you're against the death penalty as well?" John waited as the man fumbled for words. "I respect your religious observance, sir, but I also need Ms. Smith to think in her best interests."

"She's carrying life inside her."

"But she's still got her agency." John faced Anna. "I'm also here to recommend you find another residence for gestation."

"What?" Anna looked at her parents. "Why?"

"Because I think you need the space to make your own decisions about the life of the child inside you." John did not look away from her. "It's about what you want, Anna, and not what anyone else wants for you."

"It's not her decision, it's mine as the head of household." The Vicar was on his feet but John stood as well, matching him hair for hair.

"According to the laws of this land and the health codices by which I live my life, Vicar, she's the one in charge of her body. It's her decision and yours is whether or not you'll respect that or continue being the arrogant prick I think you are."

"Leave this house."

"With pleasure." John picked up his jacket, facing Anna again. "It's your decision, Ms. Smith, and I encourage you to remember that. You're the master of your fate."

"The captain of my soul?" Anna murmured and John nodded.

"You are invictus." John turned to Sybil, "Ready?"

"Yes sir."

"Good evening to you all." John nodded at them, shaking Anna's hand, and then leaving the house with Sybil on his heels.

"Such insolence and disgusting depravity in my own house!"

When the door snapped shut Anna returned to her seat, her thoughts drowning out the droning rave of her stepfather. She ran her finger along the pattern in the fabric of the arm, drawing circles there as her eyes glazed. Thoughts sped across her head like maglev trains until two hands grabbed her shoulders and shook her.

She turned her head up, fighting her way free of her stepfather as he seethed at her. "You'll never see them again. You don't need their devilry or their science."

"We live in the modern age, not the Puritanical one." Anna grabbed her bag, "I'm not going to reenact The Cruciblehere with you."

"You live in my house."

"And I do my part to live here but I don't have to join your cult of personality."

Anna shot her mother a look and left the sitting room. She reached her room and shut the door, drawing the bolt across it as her stepfather continued to rage in the sitting room. Dropping to her bead, Anna put a hand through her hair a few times to calm herself. When her breathing evened Anna dialed Gwen's number and flopped back on the bed to listen for her voice.

"Sup sister?"

"That offer for your spare room still open?"

"You willing to spend a lot of time in your room with the noise-canceling headphones I'll buy you?"

"I'll take my chances." Anna snorted, "Especially since I know you're not having that much sex."

"Who said I was protecting you from the sex sounds I make?" Gwen laughed into the phone. "These are for the sounds from the neighbors."