~*~Emotions~*~

When Victor woke up hours later, Marty was curled up in a ball beside him, sobbing. "What is it, Marty? Why are you crying?" he asked as he gently drew her back in his embrace.

"It hurts so much," she said in a sad little whisper. Her chest ached and her throat was raw from crying.

"What hurts?" Victor asked as he tenderly caressed her hair.

"I miss them. I miss Patrick, Cole, and Hope..." she whimpered. "I was so alone. I was all alone in this world until your mother's goons came and found me..."

"I know, Marty. I knew you were alone. I couldn't bear to leave you grieving like that. Please forgive me."

"For what?" she asked him with tear-filled eyes.

"For being selfish and wanting you with me."

"It's okay, Victor. I understand," she assured him. "And in many ways I am grateful. I just wish we weren't locked up here. What does your mother want with us?"

"She doesn't want me to leave. Just like you and I- she cannot bear to be alone," Victor stated.

"I know she's your mother... but after all that she's done to you and your family, she give me the creeps. Something's not right about her..."

"Try not to worry, Marty. I'll protect you," Victor promised. "And very soon, we'll be leaving here. We can go anywhere you want. I just don't want to be separated from you again."

As she cuddled up beside Victor, Marty tried not to worry. But something about Irene frightened her. She hoped she and Victor could escape the mansion without being seen.

~*~o~*~

After breakfast that morning, Irene showed up in Victor's room. "A physician is here to see you, Marty," Irene stated.

"Take off all your clothes and lie down on the bed," Irene ordered.

"A physician? Why is a physician here to see me?" Marty asked as she looked at Victor.

She then turned to Irene and cried out, "No, I will not take off my clothes and lie down on the bed! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Marty, calm down," Victor tried to soothe her. "I asked my mother to find a doctor to examine you... because you have lupus and you are not taking your medication. I didn't want you to get sick."

"Thank you, Victor. But I am fine. Really," Marty tried to insist.

"What would it hurt if the doctor took a look at you just to be sure?" Victor asked.

"Victor, your Marty is very insolent," Irene said with a frown. "Must I get a couple of my guards to hold her down?"

"No one's holding me down!" Marty cried out. "I just don't want some strange doctor poking and prodding on me!"

"Come on, Marty. For me?" Victor coaxed. "I just want to know you're alright."

"Alright, Victor. For you... but your crazy mother has to go."

Irene let out an annoyed groan. She left the room and minutes later, the physician entered. "I am Dr. Ludwig. Take off all of your clothing," he said.

Marty looked at Victor. "Will you stay?" she asked.

"Yes," he agreed.

Several minutes later, the examination was complete and Marty was getting dressed again. "So, what did you discover, Doctor?" Marty asked.

"Everything is perfect," the doctor said as he gathered up his instruments and hurried out.

"That was strange," Marty said to Victor. "What's going on here? What's your mother up to?"

"Nothing," Victor said with a shrug. "What makes you think she's up to something?"

"Because she's evil... and she brought me here against my will."

"Marty, calm down. She only hired the doctor to come check on you because I requested it."

"You're blind to her evil, Victor. She's up to something. I can FEEL it."

"What could it be?"

"I don't know... but DO NOT trust her... and I think the sooner we get out of here, the better."