Oh...MY...GAWD. THIS CHAPTER WAS SO FUCKING HARD TO WRITE! I really don't know why, but this chapter took me...what, two weeks? I am so sorry "Eternal" followers, that this took so very long. I promise that the next chapter won't take nearly as long. But y'know school kind of consumes a life. Oh! Someone asked me if "Stitchpunks, Batteries Not Included" was discontinued. No, it's not! SBNI is just on hold to summer, I plan to finish that fic. I have a certain fondness for it.

Okay, I know I just upadated, like, an hour ago, but my friend Fury helped me fix something. Thanks, Fury, you're awesome, you picky little thing!

And now, on to this chapter. Read and enjoy. I know I said I would put 1 in there somewhere, but he just didn't make it. Sorry, 1! Oh, and Aiden? CHAPTER 7 PLEASE.

~Cel

Part Nine: The Knowing

7 stood silently on the top step of the wooden porch. As she looked out, deep into the desolate, silent Emptiness, the gentle, cool breeze blew gently through the feathers of her skullmet. She had been standing out here far too much lately, looking out into the Emptiness of the dead city. It seemed like she spent so much time, watching, and waiting, for 9's familiar figure to emerge from the mists and come running to her…giving her a warm embrace and promising once again never to leave again.

She didn't know how far, or how long, she ran alongside that river, her eyes locked on the churning grey waters. She hoped against hope that 9 would surface once more, after he'd been thrown from the waterfall and into the still-rushing waters below. All of the rain had overwhelmed the long-dry and desolate riverbeds, and they had caused an immense flash flood. When the twins had finally caught up to 7, she had dropped to her knees beside the river, unable to run any longer. She just couldn't believe it. Her very dearest friend, the man she knew would always be there for her, was gone, swallowed by the rushing waters that gave life…but could apparently take it as well.

The twins had cried and cried, begging her to tell them that it wasn't true, that 9 wasn't really gone. 4 nearly fell back into the river from which 9 had just saved him, desperately searching for his big brother. The eyes of the twins flashed frantically, silently calling out to 9. However, they were mere reflections on the waters. The burlap ragdoll didn't respond, and his familiar form was nowhere to be seen. 7 desperately wanted to keep searching. Something deep within her pulled her towards the dead forest, immense and lifeless trees towering over them.

However, upon glancing at the twins and seeing their shaking forms, 7 knew that she needed to get the boys home as quickly as possible. They were extremely weak from their plight in the river, exhausted and sore. She couldn't leave them now. 7 carried 3 home in her arms, 4 holding tightly to her arm to support himself. 7 kept looking back over her shoulder, hoping and praying that she would see 9 running up to them, a wide smile on his face, and his form full of life. But he never did.

As soon as they made it home, 7 made sure the twins were alright. She heated some blankets with the coals from the furnace, just as 9 had taught her how to do, and ensured they were comfortable and warm in their bed. The two little boys had cried in grief on her shoulders until they had exhausted themselves. No longer able to stay awake, the two fell asleep. 7 then had gone out to the porch, climbing onto the metal railings and keeping her eyes fixed on the horizon. She didn't move from that one place for the entire night and most of the morning, still watching for 9. The twins had woken and come out to her, searching for their older sister. She'd greeted them, and given them both a tight hug before returning to her sentry duty, still looking out for the lost young man. The twins had miserably left their big sister alone, knowing that she was, in no way, going to let 9 go this easily.

For two days, 7 rarely moved. She knew that there wasn't more she could do. She couldn't leave and try to find 9 – the twins were still quite weak and exhausted. She couldn't leave them by themselves, nor could she take them with her to help find him. They still needed her care, which she still gave to them whenever they needed it. A rock must have hit 4's knee while he was struggling in the river, because he limped when walking. 7 massaged it for him, trying to take away as much physical pain as she could. But she knew she could never take away the grief that ripped through 4 and 3 both.

They'd come to love 9 with all of their hearts. In the three months they'd been alone, the two had learned all they could about the newest member of their family. They learned that he was left-handed, that he liked to have things in his hands, he was very good at putting things together, that he loved the rain, and that his sides were very ticklish. They never once were angry with him because of his mistake. And in turn, he'd loved spending time with them. 7 had learned that 9 was gentle, kind, and loving. He gave the twins piggyback rides across the Emptiness, played all kinds of games with them, let them jump on him and try to wrestle him to the ground (to which he always gave in). He slept beside them, and kept them safe. 7 could swear she even heard 9 humming to them once to gently coax them to sleep, when a bout of thunder had frightened them.

As she sat upon the railing, she wished to herself that she could, just once, hear 9 sing. Just once, feel him hug her tight. Just once, have one last day with the man that had become everything to her. 7 began to lose hope as she watched the empty horizon for days. 9 never came. 7 began to believe that he hadn't made it out of the river…that he'd succumbed to the churning, deadly waters, and drowned…and she would never see him again.

But then, he'd come home, and he had brought 2 with him. Then 1 and 8, then 6. And now, he was looking for 5, determined to bring the beloved one-eyed stitchpunk home. In these chaotic days in which 7 hadn't seen 9 since he'd left to find 1 and 8, she had realized something that changed her very heart forever…

"7?" A kindly, grizzled old voice said from behind her. She blinked, and then turned around to see 2 slowly hobbling up to her, using the corkscrew cane that 8 had found for him. The cane made low thumping sounds on the wood as the old man walked slowly to 7, his large golden eyes very warm and soft. 7 managed to give him a small smile. Rather reluctantly, the stitchpunk woman turned her back to the horizon on the Emptiness for the first time in quite awhile. She walked to meet 2, and the man she saw as her father reached up and wrapped his arms around her shoulders, giving her a weak, but tight squeeze.

2 had finally been able to get out of 9's hammock and began to walk around. 7 had been there to help him with every new step of his new life. 8's arm was feeling completely fine now, as was 1's newly reconstructed hand. The family was slowly coming together for the very first time. 2 had stumbled a little, but 8 had been right there to catch him and set him right. 6 watched from his nest of blankets on the floor, finally getting the inspiration to walk as well. He may have been a little shaky, but soon, he was trotting around and marveling at every little movement. The entire coven was healing, not only in physical form, but in their bonds with one another.

"Oh, my dear. I know you miss them. I miss them as well." 2 said, withdrawing and taking her hands in his own. 7 gave him another small smile, then sighed to herself. She let 2's hands drop and turned away from him, returning immediately to her post, her eyes once more fixed on the horizon. 2 looked upon his daughter with love and sympathy before hobbling up to stand beside her.

"They'll come. You'll see. They'll be here before you know it." The elder said reassuringly, grasping 7's arm with his worn, yet gentle metal fingers. 7 reached up with her own hand and patted his affectionately. Nevertheless, she didn't take her eyes off of the vast, desolate reaches of the Emptiness. She sighed again, and then closed her eyes, bending her head.

"Oh, my dear, whatever is the matter?" 2 asked, turning until he stood in front of her and placed a metal knuckle underneath her chin, tilting her head up and looking into her eyes. He saw sadness and unfathomable worry within those pretty black eyes of hers. She took his hand from underneath her chin and placed it on her cheek, trying to stop her lower lip from quivering.

"Oh, 2. I…I can't lose them. Either of them. I should've never let 9 go alone. I should've gone with him." 7 said, closing her eyes tightly.

"No, no, my dear. You know that this is something 9 must do on his own. He knows perfectly well that we have all forgiven him, and that we love him dearly. But the person 9 will never forgive is himself. Not unless he knows that he has a purpose. 7, you, I, and the rest of us know that 9 is a brilliant, wonderfully kind young man, but he will never believe that for himself because of his mistake. He needs to bring his brother home, and then, finally, he shall be able to forgive himself, and the storm inside of him will finally clear." 7 looked down at 2, knowing exactly what he meant, and that he was completely right. She knew what 9 had to do for himself. But she also knew how worried she was for her most dearest friend, how she knew she couldn't stand to lose him.

"2…2, could you ever…" she paused, trying to slowly ease into this delicate subject. "Could you ever see through the talisman?" 2 blinked as he took in the question.

"Yes, my girl, I did." He said softly, his voice very gentle.

"Well…did…did you see when…when 9 took back you guys' souls and the Machine…it nearly crushed him? And...and I thought he'd been crushed to death? I thought he'd died?" 2 looked up at her with very soft eyes, taking her hand and holding it tenderly.

"Yes. I did. We all received quite a fright. And I will forever remember how heartbroken you and the boys were." 2 said gently. 7 took a breath, looking down at the wooden laths beneath their feet. This was extremely difficult for her to speak about, as she had never done so before (at least, to everyone except 9). She was a hardhearted, strong, steadfast warrior whom could take care of herself, and never needed anybody else. But as she had become ever closer to 9, she found that he was inadvertently taking away her course outer shell, bits at a time, to see the woman she was deep within her, a woman she didn't even know she was, or could be.

"Well…well, I'd never been more scared in my life. I'm never supposed to be scared, 2. I'm supposed to try and protect you guys. That's what I was made for. But…" she trailed off, bending her head once more. "2, I almost lost him again. I tried so hard to keep hope, that he was somehow still alive. But then I really began to think that he'd drowned, that I'd lost him. I missed him so much, and my heart…it felt like a huge piece had been ripped away from me." She turned to look at the vast reaches of the Emptiness once again. "2, I feel that now. I can't lose him again. I…" she stopped, and struggled to keep her voice level. "I'm not strong enough. He's…he's become so much to me. I…" she trailed off once more, her heart compressing. She sighed inwardly.

Within her mind, she relieved nearly losing 9 over and over in her mind. When he was nearly crushed to death by the Fabrication Machine's dead body, she felt like she had never been more scared. She remembered finding his lifeless body…his closed eyes…but then he woke up, and all her fear went away. And then, she'd heard him cry her name in desperation as he struggled to keep his head above the raging silver waters, his small body no match for the unfathomable strength of the current. 7 had run along the bank, desperately searching for some way to get him out. But she was too late as he careened over the waterfall, the last time she saw him. She'd been so scared she'd lost him forever, that this time, she wasn't getting him back. But then, he'd come to her, just like that, and had taken her fear away.

But that same fear had returned tenfold. During their time alone, 7 had found that she really liked spending time with the young man. He was always kind and empathetic. He was also very brave. 7 really liked him – he had become her best friend. He was always there for her. He couldn't leave her now...

2 looked at the young woman with soft, understanding golden eyes, knowing what she truly felt inside.

"You love him. Don't you?" 2 murmured gently, reaching up and laying his tender hand upon 7's arm. Within the statement, there was no question. It was understanding, and knowing. 7 blinked, her eyes still fixed intently on the dead world. She bit her lower lip, her hands curling into fists. The statement tore at her heart, at her very soul. In those moments, she realized that 2 had spoken nothing but the truth. She finally allowed herself to believe it, to accept it. She had fallen in love with 9.

"Yes, 2." She murmured. "I do."

The elder man smiled widely, and gently took 7's shoulders, turning her to face him. She tore her eyes from the world and looked down at 2. He was smiling widely and lovingly, little crinkles of fabric appearing under his old eyes. 7 gave a small smile back before the two shared a hug, 2 rubbing 7's heavily scarred back gently. 7's own fingers dug into her father's leather back, shutting her eyes tightly and silently thanking him for understanding how she felt, and the battle that raged inside of her. Her very soul was beginning to soften, and she was letting it. But her family still needed protection.

"2, I…I need to go. I need to know that they're okay – both of them. 5 is like my big brother, you've always known that. I love him with all of my heart, and I've missed him so much. I have to help them. I know that this is something for 9 to do, that he needs to complete his mission. But…I – I just feel like something isn't right." 7 said, turning to look out to the horizon. 2 followed her gaze, his brow furrowing and a sigh slowly escaping his old, frail, but healing body. He sighed to himself, patting 7's hand. He knew that this was a mission that 9 needed to complete for himself, but the land he'd ventured out into was unforgiving, hostile, and cruel. Although there were no more Machines left on this earth, there was still so much that could happen to the two young men. 2 regarded his thoughts, and then turned to look up at her, opening his mouth to say something…

The flash of white-hot light that seemed to engulf the entire earth around them blinded both the old man and the young woman for several seconds. They both gave out startled cries, stumbling backwards and covering their eyes. 2 nearly fell backwards, his eyes forced shut. The flash of light lasted barely a few seconds – as soon as it appeared, it was gone. 7 and 2 blinked open their eyes, still quite startled and confused.

"What the hell was that?" 7 gasped, blinking and still trying to clear the spots of light from her vision. 2 shook his head, completely bewildered as well.

"I don't know, my dear. It could possibly be lightning. Look…" with his hand, he indicated the soft, flashing glow of light as thunder crashed through the skies, the clouds dark and heavy. Rain began to fall from them, pattering softly around the earth. 7 blinked again, her mind immediately going out to 9 and 5. She hoped that they were okay, that they were safe from the lightning and rain. 9 was probably protecting 5 from anything that may hurt him, helping him to get home this very moment…

7's brow furrowed as she locked her gaze on a single spot, quite far away. It was right where the lightning had struck. As she focused on that place, she could see something dark, yet transparent rising slowly into the air. It became thicker and blacker, like a cloud rising from the earth, swirling in the wind like a graceful dolphin dancing in the waves. A bright white-orange light began to flicker underneath the black, ever-growing cloud, illuminating the thick, dark, ominous swirls. 7 immediately began to trace the map within her mind, trying to figure out where the fire was. Her incredibly sharp eye caught the towering, large beam that hung over the smoke…a beam left from the factory of the Fabrication Machine. The record player. Where 5 had fallen. 5! 9!

"NO!" 7 cried out, her voice merging with the formidable crack of thunder that rolled its way across the never-ending skies. 2 jumped at her cry.

"7! 7, what is the matter?" He asked urgently, trying to capture her attention. Her black eyes were wide, her stance ridged and tensed, as if she was poised to leap off the porch and race through the Emptiness. She managed to tear her eyes away from the smoke and look down at 2. She looked extremely frightened.

"That's where 5 is! That's where the fire is! 9 must be there, him and 5! They need help! I have to go 2, now!" 7 desperately begged, taking the old man's hands and shaking him. "5 will probably be hurt, and I know that 9 is weak. I know he's hurt too, I saw it right before he left to get 8 and 1. 2, I cannot lose them, either of them, ever again." 7 said with fiercely, her eyes locked on 2's, gazing at him intensely. His poor old heart was falling, feeling terribly frightened and torn. His two sons were out there, in severe danger, lost in a deadly firestorm. His daughter was about to race as fast as her graceful and nimble legs could carry her towards the fire and the two she loved dearly. How could he just let her go? So much could happen to her…

"Alright, but you must promise me, for the sake of an old man, that you will keep yourself safe. I love you, my 7, and you will not get hurt. You will come back to me, do you hear me?" 2 said intensely, looking back up at his daughter with severity and fright in his words. 7 nodded immediately.

"I promise 2. We will come home, all three of us. I promise." 7 said, wrapping her arms around the elder man and giving him a final, tight embrace. 2 hugged her back.

"Godspeed, my 7, my dearest girl." He whispered, withdrawing and taking her face in his hands, tilting her head down and kissing her forehead. She squeezed his hand, smiled once, and then turned. She pulled her skullmet over her face, leaping off of the porch, landing gracefully in the rain. Her nimble feet pounded the earth as she raced through the Emptiness, knowing nothing would stop her now. 2 was left, standing alone, very worried and very frightened. He watched 7 until she disappeared from his sight, and his eyes lingered upon the smoke and fire, rising into the sky.

"Godspeed."