A/N: Happy Birthday, Nony! :D

I hurt everywhere.

I am aware of this long before I can force my eyes open. It is a dull ache, but I still hurt. Someone has adjusted my bed because I am flat on my back. I do not move or attempt to open my eyes. My mouth feels dry again and I have a vague memory of a nightmare and I link the two. I've been drugged again.

I think I will wait for a few minutes to let the drug wear off before I try to move. I cannot remember what my nightmare was about. I wonder if that is a result of the drug or just because I can't remember.

"Is she still out?"

"I think she's starting to come around. Give her a little bit."

I hear the voices and struggle to put faces and names to them.

"Hn. Let me know when she's cognizant."

"You're not going to push the books on her immediately are you, Heero?" The voice is disapproving.

"No, Quatre, I won't. As much as I'd like to, I won't. Satisfied?" He's annoyed.

"Heero, that's not fair. She can't handle it right now and you'll only make things worse if you try to push her. She still isn't talking. She may have been traumatized so much that she'll never talk again and all you can think about is your investigation!"

"My investigation will put the rat bastard that did this to her behind bars permanently. And we need to know as soon as possible if he's slipped through our fingers so we can hunt him down before he does this again. If he's smart he'll cover his tracks better and the next girl might not be found in time!"

There is silence for a minute. I am glad they don't know I'm listening. I don't want them to yell at me, too.

"I'm sorry, Heero. It was unfair of me to accuse you of putting the mission before everything else." Quatre's voice is no longer angry.

"You know as well as I do that three years ago that would still have been the case." Heero's voice is quiet, almost apologetic. "I don't blame you for thinking that with the way I've been acting lately."

"No, as your friend I should give you more credit than that. I should have realized that you were just trying to stop this atrocity from happening again."

"Quatre, stop apologizing. Just let me know when she's up. And Sally wants to talk to her today."

"Okay."

I hear the door open and close. I think I can make my eyes open a little bit now. The lights are off, but there is a soft light coming from the window.

"Good morning." Quatre is standing above me. "Would you like to sit up?"

I don't know. Last time the drugs made everything spin. I shake my head a little. I want to wait until my vision clears a little more.

Quatre slips the bed remote into my hand. "Here. You can sit up when you're ready."

I appreciate that he doesn't push me and lets me do things by myself.

"Heero said that Sally wants to see you today, as soon as you're up for it."

Sally? Oh, wait. He means Dr. Po. I remember hearing all of them call her 'Sally' at some point. I also remember Trowa saying that food would help the effects of the drug wear off faster. I decide that I should sit up and see if I can eat. I am not sure I am hungry, but if it makes this feeling go away faster, I'll try it.

Quatre watches as I adjust the bed. I feel around for the paper and pen, but don't find them. Quatre finds them in the drawer and gives them to me.

I write, "Water?" My handwriting is really bad this morning because my hand doesn't want to cooperate.

"I'm so sorry, I should have thought of that!" He grabs a Styrofoam cup from the side table and goes into the bathroom connected to my room. I hear the water running and he comes back. He starts to hand me the cup, but thinks better of it when he sees how badly I'm shaking.

"Let me help you. Trowa said the drugs make you shake and I'm sure you don't want another bath."

Another bath? When did I get a bath in the first place? I miss a lot when I'm drugged. He tips the cup and I am able to get a drink. The water is clean, not too cold and just what I needed. I put my hand up when I am done and he pulls the cup away.

"We should get some food in you as well. It will help." He pulls out the menu and scrutinizes it. "There aren't very many breakfast choices you can eat. What was it you ate yesterday?"

'Rice pudding and toast.'

"Would you like that again or something different? You can have hot cereal if you'd prefer."

I tap what I wrote before and he nods. "What kind of jam would you like for your toast?"

I didn't think of that yesterday. It was good plain. But I write 'strawberry' and he orders it for me. We wait in silence for a moment.

"You know, I feel bad not knowing your name." He's looking at me, reading my reaction. I look down. I thought I made it clear that I didn't want them to know my name. "Is there something we can call you, even if it isn't your real name?"

I think this over. I suppose it wouldn't hurt to give them something to call me.

"You could just give us your first name and not your last. That would be enough."

He has a point. My name isn't so original that it would be immediately linked with my last name. I hesitate because if my parents put out a missing person report, they could easily link me to it. They have the time frame, how old I was…and then I realize they could do that anyway. They know what I look like and all they'd have had to do was link the physical description with the time frame.

There is a knock. Quatre retrieves our trays from the orderly and we eat in silence. I start with the toast as I know I can manage to get it to my mouth without help, but nearly drop the knife as I put a bit of strawberry jam on it. I have forgotten just how yummy strawberry jam is. After a few bites of toast, my hand isn't shaking so much and I attempt a bite of the rice pudding. It is just as good as yesterday, and I find that I manage a little more than yesterday. I still don't finish it all, though.

"So what about your name?" He is still eating, but watching me closely. I wonder if he's been put up to this, he's certainly being persistent enough.

I shake my head.

He looks at me thoughtfully. "Is there a reason you don't want us to know?"

Sort of. It might not even be a good reason. I'm sure I'm just paranoid, but…

'I can't say.' I write.

"Why not?"

'Not safe.'

"What if I could guarantee you'd be safe?"

I look at him. 'Not possible.'

He seems surprised and a little sad. "You really don't trust us to keep you safe?"

I feel guilty because he seems so upset about it. I look down and consider how to answer him. I think I want to trust them, but…I just…

I look up as he wipes a tear from my cheek. I hadn't realized I was crying.

"It's okay. You don't have to trust us. I know it can't be easy for you to trust anyone, especially men, after what you've been put through. We don't take it personally. But please know that we really will do everything in our power to keep you safe, okay?"

I nod and wipe the tears from my face.

"Hey, it's okay. Are you done eating?"

I nod again and find a little more composure in thinking about something else.

"All right. Heero said that Sally wants to talk to you today. You let me know when you're in a mood to see her, okay?"

I lean back against the pillows and try to focus my thoughts so I'm not bawling when she comes in. That's all I'd need, for her to think that Quatre wasn't capable of talking to me without making me cry. He really is quite sweet and I would miss having him around. I know he's just here because of his job, but at least he seems to understand me and doesn't get upset when I won't talk.

He finishes his meal and gathers our trays. I look up.

"Would you like me to get Sally for you?"

Might as well get this over with. I nod.

He shoots me a grin. "Be right back."

He opens the door and beckons down the hall. He hands our trays off to someone and steps back, holding the door for Dr. Po and the Chinese man. All I remember about him is that he was angry. I press back against the pillows as he comes closer to the bed.

"Wufei, you're scaring her," Quatre says quietly.

The man stops coming towards me.

"Don't worry about him, dear. His bark is worse than his bite," Dr. Po says with a smile. "Oh, sit down, Wufei. You're starting to make me nervous."

He sits stiffly with a glare at her. Dr. Po rolls her eyes. She checks the machines and makes some notes on her clipboard before turning to me.

"I think we're going to unhook you from some of these. You still need the nutrient drip until you can eat a wider variety of foods, but the other one can go. You don't react well to the drug cocktail we've been using for your nightmares so I think we should dump that altogether. I'll give you something else to help you sleep at night, to use when you think you need them, okay?"

I nod. I'm relieved that the fuzzy drug that makes me so shaky will no longer be used on me.

Dr. Po checks my shoulder. "This looks like it's healing nicely. Does it still hurt?"

I nod.

"A lot?"

I shake my head. It really is much better now.

"You can take the brace off to shower, but other than that you'll need to keep it on for a few more weeks. You let me know if it bothers you, okay?"

I nod.

Dr. Po lifts the blanket and checks my knee. "I think we can take this wrap off if you promise to take it easy for a while. If you think your knee can handle the weight you can get up and walk around the room a little bit. Which reminds me that I'll need to take your measurements and get you something else to wear. I can't imagine you being comfortable walking about with an open backed nightgown."

I blush. I would definitely not be okay with that. She chuckles at me. "We'll take care of that a little later, okay?"

I nod.

"Why don't you just talk?" The Chinese man's question is blunt and his tone makes me cringe.

"Wufei! Leave her alone. She has her reasons," Quatre chides him.

"She's making me dizzy."

"Then wait in the hall."

I look down. They're mad and it's my fault.

"I apologize. I didn't mean to upset you." His voice is quiet and no longer angry. I raise my eyes, but not my head. He looks sorry. I glance at Quatre and he gives me a small reassuring smile. I raise my head, but I'm still wary of him. He's volatile.

Dr. Po puts her hand under my chin and guides my face so I'm looking at her. "It's all right. I wouldn't let anyone in here if I thought they would ever hurt you. Wufei means well, he just doesn't always come across that way."

I nod. I understand what she's saying. He's still the one I would expect to hit me, but I remember what Quatre said about keeping me safe and I tell myself I don't need to be afraid as long as he's here.

"Right, now where were we? I was going to ask you if you got to finish school."

I shake my head.

"Hmmm…well, if you'd like we can arrange for you to study for your GED and get your diploma."

I hadn't given it any thought. But I like the idea so I nod. Wufei stands and holds a book out to me. I didn't notice he had it when he came in, but then, I was more focused on my fear than what he was carrying. I look at the book.

"You can take it. It won't bite."

I'm sure this is an attempt at humor, but I don't laugh. I reach out and take it. It's a GED Study Guide.

"I will be more than happy to assist you in your studies, provided you quit looking at me like I'm going to chew you up and spit you out."

I blush because I hadn't realized that's what I looked like. I think he takes it as an apology because he chuckles. "Sally has made sure that I know I can be difficult to get along with, but I will attempt to be more patient in the future."

I nod and decide it's okay to give him a small smile so he doesn't think I'm still afraid of him, even though I kind of am. I suppose if Quatre and Dr. Po think he won't hurt me, then maybe it's true.

"Well, since that's settled, why don't you boys leave us alone for a bit and I'll let you know when you can come back."

They oblige and Dr. Po sets to removing the wrap on my knee and unhooking the majority of the tubes.

"Okay, so I'm going to show you how to remove and replace the IV so you can get up and use the bathroom and shower for yourself, okay?"

The IV is set up so the needle is in my hand but there is an attachment that allows for my drip to be changed without having to stick me each time. Sally shows me how it works and I do it a few times to show her I can before she's satisfied. She removes my catheter, which I have to admit, I didn't realize was there until she did. Now I feel a little sore, which she warned me I would be, but it's one of those things that you don't realize feels uncomfortable until it isn't there anymore. Even with the mild pain, it feels pretty good to have it gone. And I'm really glad that she made them leave. I really wouldn't have been comfortable with an audience for that little procedure.

She helps me to my feet and steadies me. I'm pretty wobbly. I wonder if this was a good idea. Maybe I should just let her hook me up again rather than risk landing on my face.

"Don't worry, you'll get steadier as you go. And if you ever need help, just let us know. The boys won't let you fall."

I wonder why she calls them boys. Maybe it's because they're older than me so I think of them as men. I think she must be older than they are or maybe she knows them from when they were boys? I don't know.

She lets me lean on her and I take a few steps to test my knee. She was right about it getting steadier. I don't plan on running a marathon or anything, but I can at least hobble around a bit. She has me stand in the middle of the room and she checks my back and changes the bandages.

"Does it hurt when I touch it like this?"

Not so much. I shake my head.

"How about like this?"

I flinch.

"I'll take that as a yes. It may not feel like it, but your back is healing quite well. You'll have scars, but there's nothing I can do to fix it. I guess if you're really self-conscious about it you can look into plastic surgery later on. Okay, let's get you measured."

She pulls a measuring tape from her pocket and runs it around me, taking notes.

"Don't take this the wrong way, but you're too skinny. So I'm going to get you some clothes that are a little big because I expect you to fill out a bit, okay?"

I nod. I wonder if not eating stunted my growth a little because she's taller than I am. Maybe I was always going to be short. I guess I'll never know.

"Maybe I'll start having the boys order you a little junk food just to get some meat on your bones. I'm sure you could handle ice cream or a little chocolate right?"

Ice cream? Chocolate? I haven't had either in so long I'm not sure I remember what they taste like. I smile at her. It's still a half smile, but it's more than I've given so far and it's genuine. She smiles back at me.

"Okay, I think that's it for now. I'll be back in a bit with some clothes that won't flap when you walk." She winks at me. "Do you need to use the facilities before I let the boys back in?"

I decide that's a good idea and enjoy my newfound freedom. How sad is it that using a toilet makes me feel free? He insisted that I ask permission and not only would he escort me to the bathroom, but he would wait outside and time me to make sure I wasn't playing around. I think I will ask to look through another book. I know that the only way I will truly be free is when he is out of the picture.

I catch a glance of myself in the mirror and stop. My face is no longer swollen, but my cheek is still a fairly dark purple-black and my right eye is black. The bruises go down my neck and the greenish yellow hue of some of them says that they're healing, but I still look like someone beat the hell out of me. Oh wait…they did.

I make my way back to the bed and Dr. Po adjusts the height so I can climb in and out by myself. Once I'm settled, she makes sure I hook myself back up to the IV and then nods.

"All set? Great. I should be back in a few hours. Do you have a particular color that you like?"

I find the pen and paper. 'Not pink.'

She laughs. "I'll see what I can do."

Quatre comes in as she leaves. "Everything okay?"

I realize that (what was his name?) Wufei is not with him. I nod.

"Good. Are you feeling tired?"

I shake my head. I'm actually feeling pretty good. I guess regular meals and sleep work for me.

"Good. That must mean you're getting better. Would you like to watch television?"

I shake my head. He looks confused until I write, 'Can I see another book?'

"You want to look through another book of pictures?"

I nod.

"If you're sure you're okay with that I'll get Heero to bring you another one."

I nod again to let him know it's what I really want. He goes to the phone and dials. I'm glad that he's not going to leave me alone. It isn't like I enjoy having a babysitter, but after his little speech about wanting to keep me safe, it's reassuring to think that he's serious and his actions reflect that.

Quatre still turns on the television while we wait for Heero to come with another book. I don't really pay attention to the show. I'm a little preoccupied. What's going to happen when I'm released from the hospital? I mean, I guess I can go home, but if he hasn't been caught yet…NO. I'm not going to think that. I'm going to check the books and find him and then I will get my GED and maybe go to college and find a job and…I don't know, get a boyfriend? I wonder how my old friends are doing. Did Courtney make Head Cheerleader like she wanted? Was Tanya Homecoming Queen? Which one of them ended up kissing Mitch Granger first? Man…I missed so much. Do they even remember me?

"Hey, what's that look for?"

I swallow against the lump that formed in my throat and write 'Just thinking about my friends.'

Quatre turns off the television and moves the chair closer to the bed. "I'm sure they miss you just as much."

I don't know if I can write down what I'm feeling and come very close to breaking my 'no talking' rule when there's a knock on the door. Quatre gives my hand a squeeze and smiles at me before answering. Heero enters with two books under his arm. Quatre looks like he wants to say something, but Heero speaks first.

"I know you might not be up for it, but I thought it would be wise to go through the book of suspects we haven't apprehended yet. I thought it might put you at ease and if he's still out there, we can hunt him down sooner. The second book is in case you're feeling up to looking at more later."

I nod and take the first book. I'm nervous as I turn the pages. It's bigger than I thought it would be. What if he's in here? But what if he's not? What if they've caught him and my refusal to talk is just silly? I get through the book and close it, shaking my head.

Heero almost looks relieved. "Then he's in custody somewhere. So the sooner you identify him, the sooner we can charge him."

"Heero, what did I say about not pushing her?" Quatre's voice is disapproving.

"She can go at her own pace," Heero says defensively. He takes the book from me and says, "Just let me know when you're ready for the next book."

He opens the door and Sally comes in.

"Hello, Heero. How are things?"

"Better than expected." He leaves it at that and exits, closing the door behind him.

"What was that about?" Sally wonders aloud.

"Heero had her look through the book of suspects we haven't apprehended yet and her kidnapper wasn't in there," Quatre supplies.

"Well, I take it that's good news." She smiles at me and lifts one of the shopping bags she brought with her. "Why don't we get you into something more comfortable?"

Quatre excuses himself, leaving us alone. I detach the IV and slide carefully off the bed and tentatively put weight on my knee. It holds and I take a few shaky steps towards Sally, keeping a hand on the bed for assurance.

"You'll get steadier the more you're up and about. Your muscles have been on bed rest and just need to be worked a little to get them up to speed." Sally closes the gap between us and empties the contents of her shopping bags onto the bed.

I'm a little surprised at how much she bought. She bought me three sets of pajama pants and tops, two pairs of jeans, five shirts, socks and underwear. I'm pleased that she didn't buy me anything with a hint of pink on it. She also brought me a hair brush and ties, a toothbrush, toothpaste and some shampoo and conditioner, pointing out that it's better than the stuff the hospital provides. She's also brought me a supply of girl products so I won't have to ask for them when it's time.

"I think until your back is better it would be better to 'go commando.' If you stick to the pajamas no one will expect you to wear a bra anyway. I just don't want the straps to be uncomfortable."

I reach across the bed and grab the pen and paper. I write, 'Thank you. You didn't have to get me so much.'

She laughs. "You're welcome. I have to admit, I had a lot of fun shopping for someone besides myself for once. Now why don't you try some of this on and make sure I got the right sizes, okay?"

She helps me out of the shoulder brace and the hospital gown. "Now, I'm going to show you how to put this back on, but the boys know how these work, so if you get stuck, they can help, okay?"

I'm beginning to wonder just how often they're in the hospital. Quatre told me they've all been in long enough to know how boring it is, Trowa and Duo talk about how bad the food is and now Sally tells me they know how a brace is supposed to be put on. Thinking about it, I remember that Wufei was the one that set my knee and bandaged my back initially, so I assume he's got training, but the others? I don't know. They were able to help, but none of them took the initiative to patch me up. Maybe hospital stays are part of being a Preventer, kind of like how asking if people want fries comes with working fast food.

Sally wants me to try on the jeans first and they're a little big. Not so much that they fall off, but Sally reminds me that she thinks I need to put on weight. This way I won't have to buy new clothes right away. I push the thought away that I'm going to have to figure out how to support myself. I pick up the green set of pajamas and slip them on. They're also a little big, but they're so soft. I don't remember the last time I had brand new pajamas.

"I'm glad you like them," Sally says, grinning at me running my hands over the soft cotton. She folds up the other clothes and puts them back in the bags. "I'll see if we can't find you a suitcase or duffel bag to keep this in. Why don't you try to get that brace on for yourself, just so you can get a feel for it?"

I fumble with it and Sally ends up taking pity on me and helping. "You'll get it with practice." She frowns at me. "I didn't get you any shoes. But I suppose they'll wait. It isn't like you'll be running around outside in the next couple of weeks." She hesitates. "I don't suppose you've given much thought as to where you'll go when you're better."

I have, but I don't have any prospects. I give her a little nod.

"You have? So what are your plans?"

'It depends.'

"On how the investigation goes?"

I nod.

"Well, why don't we just keep it on the back burner? You've got time to come up with a plan of action."

Yeah. Time doesn't fix the fact that I don't have any money or a job or an education. Hell, I don't even know if my parents are still living in that apartment. I guess I could always call Courtney and see if she remembers me. Maybe I could crash in her parent's pool house until I get stuff figured out.

I sit on the bed, carefully bringing my feet up to sit Indian style. I want to be careful not to dislocate my knee again. Sally stashes the bags of clothes under the bed and asks me if I need anything else. I shake my head.

"Well, in that case I'd better go make my rounds. I'll see you later."

She leaves and Quatre comes back. "I hadn't realized how late it's gotten. You must be getting hungry. What would you like to eat?" He hands me the cafeteria menu and the list of approved foods. I glance over them and make my selection: vegetable soup.

Quatre is about to pick up the phone when there is a knock on the door. He answers it to find Duo.

"Shift change," he announces cheerfully. Glancing at me he asks, "Cat still got your tongue?"

I childishly stick it out at him. He grins at me. "At least you've got a sense of humor today."

"I was just about to order her some food. Do you want anything?"

"Nope. I already ate. If I'd'a thought about it I would've brought you some edible food," he says, looking at me.

"Duo, don't bias her against the food here."

"Hey, I'm just lookin' out for her welfare. No sense killing her taste buds if it can be avoided." I wonder what he would say if he knew that this food is better than what I've been eating.

Quatre rolls his eyes and picks up the phone, placing the order.

"I have some things to attend to. If you need anything, just ask Duo. He'll get it for you."

I nod. I pick up the book Heero left. I figure I can look through it since I don't have anything else to do. Duo sits and flips on the television. I'm almost half way through this book when something on the television catches my ear.

I know that voice. I freeze and listen. Duo's watching the news. It's a story on the trafficking ring and the Preventer's raid on the house.

"…unlawful entry and false accusations against my client."

I look up at the television. It can't be. I detach the IV and slide off the bed in a trance, barely noticing the noise the book makes as it clatters to the floor.

"Mr. Chase, are you saying the Preventers are overstepping their bounds?"

"I'm afraid so. I have been informed that they have a so-called witness that they think will be my client's downfall. My suspicion is that they have the girl he was renting the house to. Her parents are quite concerned about her. I have an appointment to meet with her tomorrow and I plan to get to the bottom of this."

He's coming tomorrow. He knows where I am.

"HE-EY!" Duo's voice breaks through my stupor. "What the hell, kid?"

I can't answer. I point at the book and again at the man on the TV. He looks confused and his gaze shifts back and forth between the two as if watching a tennis match.

"That guy's the lawyer for the guys in the book. Now that you point it out, it seems odd he'd represent all those guys." He's quiet for a minute, as if piecing it together. "That's not what you're trying to tell me, is it?"

PLEASE tell me he isn't this dense. Where are Quatre and Trowa when I need someone who can understand what I'm saying at a glance? I pull my attention back to him.

"Mr. Chase your client has been accused of some very awful things. Is he truly capable of committing such atrocities?"

"Of course not. No one is capable of such crimes against humanity. It's all propaganda designed to make the Preventers look competent."

"What a crock," Duo says, lifting the remote. I move faster than I thought was possible and snatch it out of his hand. "Hey! What's got you so wound up?"

I point again at the man on the television.

"Okay, I get it, you're watchin' this."

I want to scream. Why doesn't he understand?

"In fact, we have the girl's parents here with a plea that the Preventers release her from custody."

I freeze as I watch my parents join him at the microphone. Surely they'll beg for my return because I've been gone for so long. Even if they don't know that he is responsible for my disappearance, they'll say how much they've missed me and how they never thought they'd get me back.

My father speaks. "Please, Preventers, we just want our little girl back. This week without her has been an eternity to us."

"There you have it folks, a heartfelt plea from a grieving father…"

A week?

WHAT.

THE.

HELL?

I don't believe this. They had the chance to say I've been gone for years and they say it's only been a week? I think Duo is saying something, but I can't understand his words. All I hear is the blood rushing through my veins. He must be behind this. That's the only explanation. He must have threatened them. But…my parents didn't look upset at all. They looked reserved, but not distraught. Not shell shocked at the news. If anything, they looked…annoyed. What is happening?

I feel my knees give out as the world crashes to pieces.