A/N: Oh My Gosh! There back! Maybe...5X7or/and 9X7, 5XOC maybe.

Disclaimer: I Own nothing! 9 is property of Focus Film.

Chapter 10

8 got lost many times before finally finding the library. As he walked among the naked statues of human females, he sighed.

He hoped he found someone soon.

He didn't like being alone, he needed to be told what to do.

He couldn't function on his own, 8 knew that.

Well, that's what 1 always said anyway.

It was one of the reasons he always stayed so close to 1, obeying him without question.

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"0?" 2 poked his head into the room. "Are you alright me dear boy? You've been distant ever since 1 arrived."

0 sat in a dark corner, sharpening his blade. He didn't look up as the gentle inventor came over, sitting beside him.

2 placed a caring hand on his arm.

"0, if something wrong…you know I'm always here." 2 patted 0's arm gently.

0 sighed, there it was. He had been dreading this moment.

2 had a unique ability to see when something was wrong.

He sighed deeply, 2 gave everyone such…fatherly love. He was having trouble not breaking down and admitting everything.

Shaking his head he did his best to change the subject. "What's 8 like?"

2 gave him a look, he knew 0 was avoiding the question but… "Well my boy…he's a lot like you."

0 said nothing so 2 continued. "After all, 8 was based off of your own blueprint."

0's head snapped up and he looked at the inventor.

2, satisfied that 0 was now listening, continued. "8 was based off of you and 7 off of 10."

"W-what?" 0 felt numbed at this information.

2 chuckled lightly, but lovingly. "Oh yes, when you and your creator failed to return. Our creator, the scientist, saw how much we missed you. So he created 7, basing her speed and agility on what he remembered about 10. I helped." 2 smiled as warm as the sun.

A father proud of his "daughter."

"7 was a smashing success, much bolder then 10, but that didn't make her any less of a success. Next came 8 modeled after you 0, though unfortunately, 8 got all of your brawn but very little brain." 2 patted 0's arm again.

Silence gently filled the room again, but this time it was not as uncomfortable.

2's kind voice broke the silence. "Tell me 0…how is 10 doing? I know it must not be easy for her…being complete and all."

If 0's jaw could have, it would have hit the ground. "Y-you know!???"

2 laughter fill the room, "Of course dear boy, and I am sure 1 could put it together if need be. Although the first time you and I met was the first and last time I would meet Tara Lynn, when 10 came along around the births of 3 and 4. Well, it was obvious."

2 grew quiet and serious, "Though I must admit, such a process must have been…terrible."

0 nodded, "It was, thankfully she doesn't remember it. Or anything about being human. That life is dead."

2 nodded stoically, perhaps this had been what was upsetting 0.

10 was his ward and being away for so long, well it must be hard.

"Does she ever dance anymore? It made our creator smile so much." 2 reminisced fondly.

0 shook his head. "No…it's been so long, I doubt she remembers how."

0 and 2 reminisced for awhile of happier times, neither of them saw the figure at the door, listening in the shadows.

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3 and 4 were up at first light, heading to the workshop. The ran down the hall, feet clattering all the way.

The noise they made for being mute twins, more often than not, could wake everyone else up.

Rushing into the work shop 4 was stopped short by 3's outstretched arm. He flickered angrily at his brother till he saw why he had stopped.

10 was not there.

The only other form in the room was 5, still sleeping soundly in his bed.

Rushing over 3 and 4 roughly grabbed 5's shoulders and began to shake until…

"Ghaaaa! What? What's going on!?" 3 and 4 pulled on his arms pointing to where 10 used to be.

"Hmmm…10? She woke up last night. I sent her to the lookout with 9 to keep watch…I think.." 5 didn't get a chance to finish his sentence, as 3 and 4 ran out the way they came.

"…okay then…" 5 rolled back over into bed. He intended on getting a few more hours. It was still very early.

The twins clattered down the hall blinking happily to each other. 10 was safe and well and they would get to catalog her again.

So far it was a very good morning.

They clattered into the lookout, searching and flashing but 10 was not there.

Running back they slid across the floor and into the work shop. They shook 5 awake again.

"What? What now?" 5 asked rubbing at his optic. 3 and 4 flashed and clicked shaking their heads, 10 was not there.

5 stroked his leather patch, he really wanted more sleep. "Well if she's not there or in the bedroom did you try the library?

With a quick flash the twins were off again. Signing, 5 started to get up for the day, sleep alluding him now.

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The first time the twins clattered by 7 rolled over. The second time, she pulled a pillow over her head.

The third time, her optics cracked open…"I'm going to kill them." 7 mumbled pulling herself from the warm bed.

She made it to the shared bedroom doorway just in time to see the hoods of the twins disappearing around the corner.

7 glanced back, 6 was still sound asleep and she was sure 9 would be too. Stepping out into the hall 5 walked up.

"They wake you too 7?" 5 smiled.

7 just glared "Were going to have set some ground rules about when others are sleeping!" She shouted the last part seeing as how 3 and 4 had come back, apparently to tell 5 they had found whatever they were seeking.

At her loud voice and grouchy face they jumped back and clutched each other.

5 spoke placing his hand on 7's shoulder. "I don't think the twins meant any harm."

"Well they should be a little more considerate of everyone else, making such a ratchet." 7 was tried and it came through as anger.

3 and 4 quickly blink to each other, there guardian never spoke to them like that, well once before but they had gone outside alone and nearly died when a cat beast attacked them.

7 saw the fear in there blinking optics. "Wait guys, I didn't mean…" As she took a step forward 3 and 4 fled, back towards the library.

After a moment, 7 gave chase. "7, wait for me." 5 called running as well.

The library was large and beautiful, the twins had brought down and rearranged many books on the floor, making a maze of literature with many hiding places.

She sighed, the twins could be hiding anywhere.

"Where should we look?..."5 asked catching up. He was out of breath. "Shhhh…listen." 7 said, motioning for 5 to listen.

In the distance soft words could be heard and the occasional flicker of light. 7 got defensive "Someone's here with the twins."

5 chuckled lightly "Well..yes…they came to find 10." She gave him an explain that look.

"She woke up last night, guess she didn't feel like going back to bed." 5 and 7 began walking towards the sounds.

The words became clearer as they got closer.

"Shhhh, It's okay I'm here…What scared you two so badly?" A click, followed by a projection of 7.

"7?...I don't understand." 10 cuddled them close and they clung to her like a lifeline.

7 and 5 came into view and as they came close, 3 and 4 ducked behind 10 still clutching at her waist.

10 smiled at 7 and 5. "Any ideas? 3 and 4 won't let go." At that the twins tightened there hold.

"Ow, guys that hurts." 10 kept her voice as steady as she could. And did not try to pull away from the twins. They were scared and needed to cling, to feel safe.

10 would always let them despite any…discomfort, and they knew it.

7 got on her knees and open her arms to them. "3, 4, I'm very sorry I yelled at you. You didn't do anything wrong."

10 felt them release as they dashed from her into 7's arms. 7 pulled them close, cooing and rocking slightly, once they had settled 7 opened her arms again. "You too 10."

10 hesitated only a moment before she found herself between 4 and 3 cuddled and loved. The cooing noises 7 made remind her of something so far off and distant, like a happy dream.

And for a brief moment, her other self…glowed.

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1 scowled in the dark listening. Well, well ,well…wasn't that interesting about 10. He would have to keep this to himself for now but it could be a bargaining chip in the future if need be.

1 turned and slowly walked away to the main entrance. He was sure 8 would find his way there soon.

Then they would all return to the family. 1 frowned deeper, that meeting could either go very good or very bad.

Moving out the door onto the stone steps 1 sat looking into the blue sky. The air was turning crisp and cool.

Seemly purified somehow. 1 enjoyed it. So much so he didn't see the approach of another, until his name was yelled "1!"

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8 couldn't believe his optics, there in the setting sunlight was 1, as if he was waiting for him.

"1! 1!" He shouted dashing forward to embrace the older stitchpunk.

" 8, 8 put me down before you crush something." 1 scowled and 8 obeyed.

"It is very good to see you 8." 1 smiled slightly and 8 grinned the biggest he ever had. "I found your magnet, its inside. And I want you to come meet someone."

1 turned to re enter the library and happily 8 followed, glad to be home…

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6 cracked his mismatched optics open. He sighed deeply, dragging himself from his bed of paper. Another day filled with nothing but guilt and self hatred.

He dipped his sharp pen nibbles into the ink and lay on his belly drawing nothing in particular.

He had been unfocused for a week now and he was so unhappy, his drawing were so… disjointed.

The loud clattering of happy feet told him 3 and 4 were coming. Seeing 6 was awake, the clicked and flashed at him, pulling on his arms.

"..let go.." 6 pulled back refusing to be moved. After a quick conversation the twins left.

Alone and in silence again 6 curled up into a ball on his side. He could feel another fit coming, like a dark black hole swallowing him up. More footsteps and someone touched his shoulder.

"6? Are you okay?" 6 shook his head, no it couldn't be, she was dead, he had killed her.

"…go away…your dead..." 6 pushed at the dream vision of 10 and found her surprisingly firm.

"I most certainly am not." 10 laughed lightly, "Thanks to 5 anyway."

6 gathered his remaining courage to look up, there was 10, sporting a new patch but otherwise looking whole.

"…10?" he whispered and at her gentle nod, launched himself into her arms knocking her back.

"S-sorry…so sorry, sorry.. sorry… sorry!" He sobbed in her arms.

"Shhhh! I'm not mad…hush 6…9 showed me the drawing…it's okay…" 10 found herself cooing and rocking like 7 had, putting the tormented artists mind at ease.

He stopped shaking and looked at her, hope in his optics. "…Not mad?"

She smiled brightly. "No, not mad."

3 and 4 pounced on 10 as well joining the hug. "Ah hahaha you two are so cute!"

A voice from the other side of the room made everyone look "Be gentle." 9 smiled at the group piled on the floor.

10 smiled at 9 "Looks like someone could use a good morning hug." At her words 3 and 4 were off rushing towards 9.

He held up his hands defensively. "Wait wait…3, 4!" Too late 9 found himself on his butt, getting the dreaded deadly double cuddle hug.

10 and 6 laughed at his predicament.

10 reached up a bit and messed with 6's yarn hair. Despite 10 being more…mature, 6 was till taller by about half an inch. Wouldn't know by looking though, the little artist was hunched over so much even when standing.

As the twins pulled back 9 smiled, this felt right again. Everyone safe and happy…but 9 feared the happiness would not last forever…..