Chapter Three

The first thing H.G noticed was the sunlight coming through the slanted blinds, however that couldn't be right as the only light in her cell was from the fluorescent lights which remained on while she was awake. She had not seen actual sunlight since the day prior to her entering the cell which had been her home since the incident at Yellowstone. She missed the feel of it on her skin and while it was not as good as being outside, she momentarily enjoyed the warm caress. Slowly sitting up, H.G took in her surroundings seeing the desk and chair underneath the window as well as a chest of draws and cupboard.

"Ah, I see you're awake." Vanessa said, shifting in the armchair she had been sitting in for the last two hours. Placing the file she had been working on back in her satchel, she waited to see what H.G would do.

H.G turned at the sound of the voice, realising she was not alone. Seeing it was Vanessa, she tilted her head slightly and raised her eyebrow at her.

Understanding the silent question being asked, Vanessa proceeded to update H.G on the situation. "You're at a psychiatric hospital in New Hampshire. We sedated you for the transport as I thought it would be the less stressful option for bringing you here. Regent Lattimer and I convinced the other Regents that keeping you in that facility was not in your best interests and to be honest, we were extremely concerned for your well being. It won't surprise you that some were thinking of re-bronzing you. While you remain here, you will be our responsibility however I have placed you in the care of a colleague, Dr Bering."

H.G considered Vanessa's words, wondering how long she would be imprisoned here for and thinking not for the first time, that she would be better off dead.

Almost as if sensing the thoughts running through H.G's head, Vanessa continued, "While you are here, you will be subject to the same restrictions as the other patients and although this facility is not part of the Warehouse, it is a secured facility. You will only be dealing with Dr. Bering, however I would request that you be mindful of your interactions with her as she doesn't know anything about the Warehouse."

At that point, Vanessa's Farnsworth sounded and she removed it from her satchel and answered it. Seeing Jane on the other end, Vanessa filled her in on H.G's status. Closing the device, she turned to H.G and continued, "I am going to remain here for as long as you do and Regent Lattimer is going to be staying in the area as well to take care of anything that we need. As far as we are concerned, you are our main priority and we just want you to recover."

Not believing that the other Regents would agree to having her in contact with anyone not associated with the Warehouse, or to try and help her in any manner, H.G knew it would only be a matter of time before she would be sent back to the facility that had been her home for almost a year. H.G lay back down and curled in on herself, blocking out Vanessa's presence.

Vanessa could feel the pain and resignation rolling off H.G but she didn't know what else she could do for her right now. Standing up, she collected her things and made her way to the door. Turning to look at the broken woman, she let out a quiet sigh, "Sleep well H.G, I'll be back for you tomorrow morning. After breakfast we can take a walk around the grounds before I introduce you to Dr. Bering." With that, Vanessa exited the room, casting one final glance at the broken woman and praying to whoever was listening that her gamble would work; not only for H.G's sake but her own.

**WH13**WH13**WH13**WH13**WH13**WH13**

Myka made her way through her front door, glad the day was over and she could relax. Placing her briefcase on the bench, she noticed the light blinking on her answering machine. Pressing the button to play the message, she proceeded to remove her jacket and pour herself a glass of wine.

"Hi Mykes, just wanted to let you know I'm back in town and Amanda and I were hoping you can come round for dinner tomorrow. Call me when you get this." Hearing the familiar voice of her best friend, Myka smiled. She was glad Pete was back from assignment and knew she couldn't turn down a chance to catch up with him. Picking up her phone, she dialed his number and waited for him to answer.

"Hey stranger, how's it going?" Pete's cheery voiced answered making Myka smile.

"I'm good. I would love to come to dinner tomorrow, it's been too long since we last saw one another." Myka replied, knowing that she had been working too many hours at the hospital recently. "What time should I arrive?"

"Amanda says if you're here by seven then that'll be fine. I know someone has missed seeing you."

"I've missed them too so I'll see you then. Tell Amanda I'll bring desert." Myka said, moving to sit on the couch and place her feet on the coffee table. Ending the call and placing the phone beside her, Myka reached over and pick up the book she had been reading from the coffee table. 'The Time Machine' by H.G Wells was one of her favourite books from her childhood and as she ran her fingers over the name on the cover, Myka couldn't help but think of her new patient, 'I wonder if her parents were avid readers? They must have been to give her the initials H.G?' Shaking her head, Myka proceeded to engross herself in the novel.