Emery paced in Ceony's hospital room, continually glancing at her state, as a part of him refused to believe that this was even happening; despite the fact she wasn't responsive. Her orange hair that was usually in a braid was in flurry and her cheeks were paler than paper. He had left Val alone in the interrogation room, refusing to speak to Alfred or Patrice as he left. He just needed Ceony. Luckily, during his entire walk over to the hospital, Emery was successful in blocking out any more tears and breakdowns he may have. He could not however, block the words that continued to plague him. Emery had narrowed his options down to two. He could break Val out, resulting in chaos of unspeakable proportions, but then if he went with the Cabinet- Ceony could be dead. Val wasn't playing around.

Emery just couldn't do that, could he? Risk the lives of so many just for one?

But this one life was important. So important. More important than any other life in the universe. This life was his brand new beginning and at the same time, the end of him if she were to go.

It was hers.

At the same time, he couldn't stray away like this. Val was only tempting him, using Ceony to get to him. The thought made his blood boil with frustration, with a pang of regret. He knew this was his fault, even if Ceony would tell him otherwise once she was awake again.

In the end, the cause would always be the same; with Emery having brought Ceony into this, whatever it may be.

"Emery." Patrice's voice cut through the silence, like a sharp piece of paper slicing through a portion of skin. Emery turned around, as he was too deep in his thoughts to notice that she had approached. She looked well, but it was clear she had been worrying for sometime.

"Patrice." He greeted, his voice hardly showing any inflection.

"How is she?" Patrice asked, glancing over Emery's shoulder.

"All the same, I'm afraid." He wrung his hands absentmindedly, speaking of what the nurse told him. "She won't stir without her actual heart and the magic used to heal her wounds will leave her in bed for a while." Emery took a deep breath, "there's nothing to be done." They stood in a strange silence for sometime, their eyes scanning the other. As he looked closer, Patrice's eyes betrayed any sort of order she was trying to portray in her body language and facial expressions. He was sure he looked similar, if not worse.

"I'm sorry." Patrice finally said, when they were staring at each other for a bit too long, "I'm really sorry."

Emery raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"I'm sorry this is happening to you," Patrice pursed her lips, her signature expression, regardless of the years that have passed. Emery knew she was going to scold him or tell him a lesson, just like those times at Praff. "But I am not sorry for worrying about you. I meant it when you needed sleep."

"Patrice, I have three days." He reminded her, "three measly days to convince Val to let her live."

"I'm well aware." Patrice sighed, letting her stern demeanor down, "she deserves so much more."

More than you know, Emery thought.

"If she dies from this Patrice..." Emery trailed off for a moment, his mind debating on the words he should say, "She won't be a mum." His voice broke at the last word. Mum. Something Emery had always wanted. He wanted to have children, as it was something he held close to his heart. Ceony knew that and wanted it too. Patrice's eyes softened, her shoulders dropping, her mouth in the shape of a small 'o'.

"Is she...?" The question hung in the air. Emery looked at her earnestly, then shook his head.

"No. We aren't married yet. I follow the conventional ways and so does she. We were talking about it, before all this though. I wanted to marry her as soon as possible so we could." Patrice nodded slowly, the breath she was holding now expelled, "And now this...nonsense is stopping us from that future. I thought we were done."

Patrice brushed past him, rather than give him an answer, just to see at the Ceony in the cot properly. Emery watched as Patrice held Ceony's hand in hers, looking to Ceony like a caring mother. Emery supposed in a sense, Patrice acted like one to Ceony when they saw each other. "Ever since Delilah, I've feared for Ceony as well." Patrice admitted, "She's been able to defeat three Excisioners, but she lost this time. If she loses to these," she pondered for a moment, debating on how to accurately describe them, "...students, think about how dangerous they could be."

"Grath trained them, so they're similar. Only subtle differences exist, like there are more of them and less of us who would even dare to fight an Excisioner. They also have no sole desire for anything besides finding a way to unfreeze Lira and nothing is in their way besides Ceony. They're also clever, more level headed too, in comparison to Lira, Grath, and Saraj. If they formulate a plan, they could probably execute it well." Emery commented, speaking out his fears as stuffing his sweaty hands in his pants pockets in hopes he would stop fidgeting.

"And that's what I'm afraid of...when Lira is back up and at it..." Patrice said, turning around as Alfred walked into the room, hands in his pockets as well.

"Emery, Patrice." He awknowledged. Emery turned as well. Alfred looked well, but Emery supposed he didn't have as much to worry.

"Alfred." Emery bit his lip, a nervous habit he seemed to be developing now. He might as well ask for the case file, it could prove useful. "The Harry Peters case. Do you still have it?"

"Never thought I would hear that name in a while ever since you left Criminal Affairs, but yes, I do." Alfred raised an eyebrow, "Why?"

"I need it."

"Now?" Patrice quipped, "Is it really important?"

"Yes, now. I have a possible lead." Patrice and Alfred both glanced at each other, though Emery couldn't quite piece what was on their minds after his breakdown. It had been ages since he last lost it, at least, ever since Ceony came aboard.

"I can get it for you. I believe it's still in the cold cases." Alfred explained, then tilted his head slightly in question, "When do you need it?"

"As soon as I can have it." Emery responded immediately. Alfred thought for a moment then nodded.

"I can get it to you in the evening. Will you be here?" Alfred asked and Emery gave a curt nod. He could practically feel Patrice's eyes on him and her dislike towards the idea of him staying the night, but she couldn't argue with him on this. He wanted to make sure Ceony was okay and well, not a single hair on her head hurt.

Everything would be okay.