Don't own AHS.

A/N: Hi, everyone! Wanted to update this asap. If I missed any editing, I apologize. Super sleepy but wanted to update this right away. Some of you have asked about Bloody Face and I just want to clear out that he does not exist in his story. I wanted to write something without that threat.

Well, hope you enjoy this one!

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TEN

The Taste of Freedom

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Oliver held Lana's hand tightly. He could feel her shaking against his body as they hid beneath the stairway to heaven. Oliver almost wanted to scoff at the nickname Sister Jude had for that staircase. They did not lead to heaven but to a hell much worse than anyone could imagine.

Oliver's eyes lay on the front door ahead. It was the exit he took every night upon going home. By the door was a wooden front desk where Rick, one of the security gourds sat. He was reading what appeared to be a nickel comic; his attention far from the exit.

Lana tightened her hold on Oliver's hand. Oliver looked to her. She had been waiting for him in her chambers and had been able to sneak her out without anyone seeing her. He had fixed her bed with the pillow beneath her blanket to make it seem as if she was sleeping. He knew no one would bother her until morning but they would both be long gone by then.

Oliver turned to Lana, "All right. Are you ready?"

Lana looked from Oliver to the front doors of Briarcliff. Her lips parted as to speak but she made no sound. Her eyes were wide and filled with concern. She looked pale and terrified to the bone. Oliver knew that she knew if she were to get caught the punishment would be unbearable. She whimpered.

"Hey, hey," He spoke to her in a soothing voice, "You can do this. Do you hear me? It's not hard. Just walk close behind me and don't stop. Just keep walking."

Lana jumped when a patient screamed up the stairs. A few nuns went to his aid. Rick didn't even bother looking up.

"Lana. Whatever you do, don't stop. Keep walking until you're out those doors. If I stop, keep going. I'll be right behind you."

Lana clutched tighter to his arms, not wanting to let go. She shook her head like a stubborn child but Oliver reassured her.

"You can do this. You're going to be a free woman."

Lana's eyes went to the door.

"Are you ready?" He asked.

Lana nodded.

Oliver looked ahead and took a deep breath. There was no going back.

He stepped from beneath the stairs with Lana hiding close behind him. His heart began to beat wildly and he could hear his own breathing. Every single step was gut wrenching and he feared Rick would look up at the wrong moment. Just then, Rick reached into his uniform jacket and brought out a cigarette and a lighter. He attempted to light it while his eyes remained downward.

Please, Lana, please. Let go. Oliver pleaded in his mind as they approached the desk. Lana's nails were digging into his arm and he feared she would freeze at the wrong moment. He could feel her body trembling and he wished to know what she was thinking. His plan to get her out through the front door seemed ludicrous and was sure to fail. Oliver had a lot riding on such a foolish plan. So much was hanging on the line and the most important one was Lana's life.

In that moment, Rick began to look up. Oliver thought fast and quickly reached into his pocket, pulling out his own lighter and lighting Rick's cigarette for him. "There you go, Rick."

He could feel Lana's grip on his arm, his heart pounding in his ears. Then suddenly she let go and walked right out the front door and out into the night. Oliver felt the heavy fear fall off his shoulders and a huge waive of relief engulfed him.

"Thanks, Doc." Rick gave him a nod.

Oliver returned the gesture, "You have a goodnight there, Rick."

"You too, Doc." Replied Rick and returned to his comic.

Once outside, Oliver let the heavy door close behind him. Lana turned around to meet his glance with her big doe eyes. They were gleaming with tears beneath to full moon's glow and Oliver couldn't believe how radiant she looked.

He took her hand, "Let's take you home."

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Lana watched as Briarcliff disappeared down the dark road behind them. She seemed less nervous but extremely restless. Oliver swore he could hear her heart pounding.

He glanced at her and then turned on the radio. "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes began to play. Lana turned to the sound of the music and landed her eyes on the radio. A wide grin spread on her face and she slowly lifted her hand towards the car radio, softly touching it with the tips of her fingers.

Oliver smiled sheepishly, "Better than Dominique, isn't it?"

Lana gave out a soft laugh. It was the first song other than Dominique that she had heard in a very long time. She was utterly delighted.

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Oliver opened the door to his house and let Lana step inside. She was a bit hesitant to do so but he encouraged her and she stepped inside. Oliver followed after her and closed the door behind him with lock like he did every night he came home.

Lana took a few steps looking over his home. Oliver's home was one story and very quaint. It had beige carpeting, wooden panel walls and brown furniture. It was very much a simple bachelor's pad that lacked the touch of a woman but was very classy in its own way.

Oliver placed his briefcase upon the kitchen bar that separated his kitchen from the rest of the living room. Lana stood, looking around her surroundings. She seemed somewhat out of place in her blue patient gown.

"Lana would you like a drink?" He asked her, "Some water? Maybe some wine?"

Lana turned to look at him. "W-wine?" She asked.

"Yes." He confirmed.

Lana smiled and nodded.

"Red or white?"

"R-red." Her voice was shaky but very certain of itself.

"Coming right up." Oliver smiled and went to the mini bar where he poured Lana a glass of wine.

Lana wandered into the living room and took a seat on the sofa. She continued to glance around Oliver's house, taking in every inch of it. His house was a sight for sore eyes, eyes so used to the bleak brick walls of Briarcliff manor. Oliver's home was like heaven upon earth for Lana.

Oliver returned and handed Lana a glass of wine.

"Listen Lana, I know what we did was truly insane. I mean, it is unethical for me and my practice to do what I did but I want you to know that I'm going to keep you safe here and when you're well, you and I will put a stop to Briarcliff."

Lana took a drink from her wine and the luscious red liquid burst through her taste buds. She felt a calmness take over her. "Stop it?" She asked, her eyes glancing over to the lamp on the small round table. It was a simple lamp made out of egg shell white cloth. Lana turned from the lamp and landed her eyes on Briarcliff.

"Their practices are inhumane. The place is the definition of hell. No one deserves to be treated that way. Sane or not." He continued on his small rant but then realized that Lana's mind was all over the place. He calmed himself and glanced down at the bowl of mints on the coffee table that separated the both of them. He smiled sheepishly and pushed the bowl towards her, "Mint?"

Lana glanced down at the ceramic bowl and plucked a mint from inside and popped it in her mouth. She looked awfully pleased with the taste and smiled.

She glanced around, "Safe?" She asked with the mint still dissolving in her mouth.

"Yes," Oliver confirmed, "You're very safe here."

Lana calmed a little and placed the glass of wine on the coffee table. Oliver noted that she looked a bit antsy and picked up on the telltale signs right away. "Would you like to use the bathroom, Lana?"

Lana's cheeks grew a bit red like they always did when it came to admitting her body functions and gave him a quick nod. Oliver stood and helped her up from the sofa. "This way."

He opened a door that lead down a long hallway with multiple doors. "It's down the hall to your right. I'll be waiting in the living room when you're done."

Lana nodded and ventured down the hall. Oliver closed the door to the hall and returned to the living room where he sat down on the sofa and took off his glasses, discarding them on the coffee table. He leaned back against the sofa and gave out a heavy sigh hoping he did the right thing.

Lana ventured down the hall on her own. She had forgotten the directions to the bathroom that Oliver had been so clear on. She opened doors to find nothing but a bedroom or two. At the end of the hall, to her left, she opened a door to find a small room the size of an overgrown closet. Lana reached her hand in and found the light switch on the wall. She flicked the light on and her eyes widened, finding shelves of painted figures, cars, planes and multiple scale models of homes, castles and parks. There was a long counter along the wall with a single stool in front of it. Bottles of paints and collections of brushes lay neatly upon the counter used as a desk.

"I guess you found my hobby." Oliver's voice spoke behind her.

Lana jumped and apologized right away.

Oliver chuckled, "No need, Lana. Silly isn't it?"

Lana shook her head. "No." She said firmly.

"I started this hobby around when I was in medical school. Every time I was stressed or overwhelmed, I just sat and started to build and paint." He smiled, "Saved my sanity."

Lana smiled too, "Beautiful."

He chuckled and rubbed the back of his head a little nervously, "How about I show you that bathroom?"

Lana nodded and let Oliver lead her to the bathroom.

"I don't really have any women's clothing." He admitted a bit sheepishly and then grew a bit embarrassed for what he had said, "What I meant to say is that I really wasn't ready for your arrival so I did not have the time to purchase you any real clothing." He leaned down and turned on the bath for her. "But a pair of my pajamas should be enough for tonight. Tomorrow morning I'll go into town and get you some clothes and toiletries."

Lana began to unbutton her gown without a care that Oliver was present.

Oliver noticed and jumped, "Whoa! Lana." He stopped her.

Lana looked at him, confused.

He cleared his throat and let go of her hand, taking a step back. "Let me give you some privacy."

He stepped out of the bathroom and went to his room to fetch some clothes and a clean towel for Lana. He found a pair of his white and blue striped pajamas that would fit her somewhat big but would be comfortable enough. He dug through his drawers and found a new packet of white boxers. He frowned at the thought of giving them to Lana but he had no underwear suitable for her. Oliver grew red at the thought and shook his head.

"It's only for one night." He reminded himself, "Tomorrow I'll get her what she needs."

So with the clothes and the clean towel, Oliver returned to the bathroom. He knocked before entering but grew concerned when Lana did not answer right away. "Lana? Are you decent?"

No response.

Oliver panicked and stepped inside immediately, the worst flashing through his mind. However, he stopped short when he found Lana sitting in the bathtub filled with warm water. She was slightly hunched with her legs to her chest. She turned her head to meet his gaze.

Oliver grew rigid, only having seen her in such conditions when he released her from the torture tubs. He quickly looked away and placed the clothes and the towel upon the toilet. "Here are your clothes for the night. I, uh, apologize for the briefs. They're new, don't worry."

Lana sat straight, exposing her chest and breasts without worry or shame. Her eyes remained on him in the most innocent manner. She wasn't embarrassed at all and Oliver knew it was a mixture of her childlike innocence and being accustomed to her caretakers seeing her so. He caught himself staring and quickly looked away.

"I'll—I'll be outside. All right?"

"Don't go." Lana mumbled, "Please?"

Oliver cleared his throat. "I really shouldn't be here. It's not prudent."

"I don't…alone. Not alone…" Her eyes began to gloss with tears and Oliver sighed.

He nodded and grabbed the clothes from the toilet and sat upon the lid, facing from Lana. After a moment, he heard the water move and felt a tap on his arm. Oliver glanced over his arm to see Lana with the bath sponge in her hand. She handed it to him as if asking him to bathe her like the nuns had every so often.

Oliver grew rigid. He knew every single thing Lana did was done for her by the nuns. They helped bathe her the little bit they did, they helped feed her and change her. They did it so often Lana was practically childlike and dependent on others for such simple tasks.

"You can do it yourself, Lana." He smiled at her. "You have to learn how to. You're not in Briarcliff anymore."

Lana glanced down at the bath sponge as if she didn't know what to do with it. Her brows came together in a frustrated frown and Oliver shook his head. "All right. Just this once." He sat on the ledge of the tub and scrubbed Lana's back with the sponge.

Lana's skin was peachy and soft to the touch. However the lower Oliver's eyes wandered, the more he noticed the painful scars that formed upon her velvet skin from what he guessed were the cause of multiple floggings. He closed his eyes and knew from them on that Lana would lead a new life. A happy life.

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Lana was able to dress herself after Oliver had declined to help her. He deemed that dressing herself after a bath was something personal and she should do it on her own. Oliver was a respectful man and wanted Lana to feel safe with him. However, her lack of embarrassment at being nude in front of him made him nervous. He knew it was going to be a tough road ahead.

Once Lana was dressed, Oliver lead her to his bedroom where she would sleep that night until he prepared a room for her. His bedroom was a very generous size with a queen sized bed. He pulled back the navy blue comforter and let Lana lay down. He then pulled the covers over her.

"Sleep well, Lana."

Lana grew nervous and grabbed his wrist. "Don't go."

"I'm not leaving you, I'll be right outside in the living room."

Lana looked around the room. "Safe?"

"Yes. You're safe here." He patted her hand, "I promise."

Lana looked deeply into his eyes and slowly let go. She then slowly closed her eyes, "Thank you…Oliver."

Oliver smiled, "You're welcome. Lana."