Lauren is working in her lab when Acting Ash Hale comes in with Cassandra giving her a tour of the compound. "This is our human doctor, Lauren Lewis, and her lab…" Hale says before Cassandra interrupts with "Doctor Lewis and I have met."

Hale explains "Our honored guest is inspecting the compound and making sure all is in order and the protocols are being followed." Lauren takes the hint and reluctantly begins to kneel as all human property must. But Cassandra moves quickly to her side and stops her. "Doctor Lewis kneels to no one." She scolds Hale. "Doctor, is Jeanette here?" Lauren nods. "I'll be taking my leave of you for awhile Acting Ash Santiago." Hale bows out.

When he's gone, Cassandra says "It is nearly time for lunch and I thought the three of us should share a meal." Jeanette walks in from the storage room cautiously sensing the presence of another immortal; she's hoping it to be Grace and is surprised to see Cassandra instead. "Ah, there you are." Cassandra says smiling. "How are you coping? I heard about what you did." Cassandra says as she smoothes Jeanette's hair. "I hope such thoughts have been banished. We call ourselves immortal, but it is easy to die if we are careless and take unnecessary risks. You must want to live. We fight to live, not live to fight." Jeanette nods sadly. "Mmmmm We'll have to work on that. I've arranged for us to have a picnic."

Lauren says "I have a lot of work to do…" But Cassandra shakes her head. "I'll have none of that, doctor. If anyone says anything, you direct them to the Witch." Cassandra says using her voice of command and Lauren finds herself agreeing.

Soon the three women are in an open area within grove of large holly trees deep in the forest. Lauren notices that trefoil is also growing in the clearing. It all looks natural, but it is somehow too perfect. She recalls that the stones on the trail they had used had functioned as comfortable steps. Lauren realizes that she's in a small version of Donan's Woods. Someone or something has guided the landscape to be an idealized version of nature in subtle ways that are noticeable only by looking closely. Lauren notices that as she's observing the surroundings, Cassandra is observing her with a smile. "Do you approve doctor?" She asks and Lauren nods.

Lauren notices a stone carving of three connected spirals. "Is that a triskele?" she asks. Cassandra smiles and says "You are good. Close, but think older. That symbol was old before it became Christian. Each spiral makes three turns and the whole can be traced by one continuous line. The three spirals of three turns represent nine…months." Lauren realizes that it is a symbol of fertility and the feminine. She looks around a bit more and sees another carving which looks like a backwards 'C' adjoining an 'O', and a 'C', Cassandra watches. "Do you know it?" she asks. "I'm not sure." Lauren responds. Cassandra points "waxing moon, full moon, waning moon." She explains. Lauren nods and says "Okay…?" Cassandra explains "The Triple Goddess, the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone." Lauren nods unsure of what she's being told. Cassandra continues "The Maiden: youth, excitement, innocence, purity, a new beginning." She nods toward Jeanette. The Mother: fulfillment, stability, power." Cassandra looks to Lauren. "The Crone: wisdom and compassion." Cassandra subtly points to herself. "Wiccan?" Lauren asks. Cassandra smiles but shakes her head. "Neopagan?" Lauren tries. "Drop the neo…" Cassandra says with a smile. "Do you understand?" Lauren shakes her head. "There is more than science doctor… more than you can see and touch. You have the intelligence and, if you are open to it, the wisdom will come. You come to a point at which a leap of faith is required."

Cassandra gives a sharp whistle and soon a white wolf appears silently from the forest. Lauren and Jeanette are startled. "Not to worry. She's my alter ego. Her scent on me makes the fae think I'm one of them, but you already know I'm something different so you can see us together."

Lauren and Jeanette are both very wary. "Relax ladies. We have a fine picnic lunch, and a beautiful location on a crisp autumn day." Cassandra opens the basket she's carried and produces several sandwiches, a bottle of wine, and three glasses.

"I know why Jeanette is here, but why me?" Lauren asks as they enjoy their meal.

"Because you have not been treated well by the Light and I want you to know your skills are appreciated. I want you to know you are an important part of the team."

"Is that all?"

Cassandra chuckles "No… I have my own reasons; I also want to know how Adam has been behaving and I don't think he'd be pleased if I approached Kenzi."

"Why him?"

"We have a history… It isn't something to be discussed on such a pleasant occasion. But I want to warn Kenzi, Bo, and Grace that he can be very dangerous."

"Did he contact you to teach Jeanette?"

"He did, and he took a big risk camping at the edge of my forest until I allowed him to communicate that there was a new immortal in need of my help."

"A mortal risk?"

"Yes. But enough of that, I'm here now. Jeanette, this is holy ground. You are safe here, at least from others like us. There is a cave down that trail." Cassandra says pointing toward a trail on the opposite side of the clearing. "Wolf will protect you from other threats. You will stay here as long as you need. Your mind is too disconnected and cluttered. This place will clear it." Jeanette holds her head low and Cassandra continues. "Everything you need is in the cave. Take off your clothes." Cassandra says using her voice of command. Jeanette is shocked but begins to comply. "You entered this life naked and you will enter your next one the same."

Lauren watches Jeanette innocently struggling for privacy. "You can't do that! Look how embarrassed she is."

"Then give her her privacy. You're watching her like she's putting on a show."

"It's just cruel!" Lauren scolds.

"It is if you don't give her her dignity. Her power is not in her clothing. She will be like we all were when we came into this world. She will learn to rely upon nothing but herself. It is a hard lesson more so for modern people who can't stand to not be in contact. She may experience discomfort, but she is immortal."

With a whimper, the last article of Jeanette's clothing is added to the pile. Lauren makes it a point not to look. "Wolf." Cassandra commands. Lauren glances a moment later and sees Jeanette disappearing into the trees lead by the white wolf.

"What will happen to her?" Lauren asks.

"It depends on her. My guess is that there will be tears initially, but then from the inner parts of her mind she will find peace…and strength she didn't know she had. At least she didn't go through what I did. We must go, this is her forest now. Someday, nothing will be able to exist here without her bidding."