A/N: Maybe... 9X7, 5XOC maybe.

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

Chapter 26

When she opened her optics, 10 found herself warm and safe, laying in her bed. Sitting up 10 looked around, seemingly confused. Where was she? What had happened? A slight noise to her side made her turn. There was 5 sleeping adorably sprawled out, his mouth open, snoring softly. 5, she remembered him, she was 10 and…what else? There was something…but it was hazy.

"You…have to go now…"

Go? 10 placed a hand over her patch. It all came back to her now. Everyone and everything that had happened. 0 she, she had to find that gear, she had to save him. With great care, 10 began to ease her body out of bed. Her body ached and beg with her groaning to return to the soft warmth of the covers but if she didn't go now, 0 could die. And 10 knew another night of dancing would be awaiting her if she didn't go. Unable to face the thought of 0 passing on or another night of puppetry 10, as quietly as she could, fasten her cloak around her. She could just see the pinks of the sky on the horizon. She had to go now before the others awoke. She couldn't risk any more lives. 10 hung her head low; she had already caused so many bad things to happen. Why did she have to be different?

As 10 began to leave, she paused turning, 5 was still sleeping peacefully. Smiling 10 blew him a kiss before making her way to the main entrance. It wasn't that far, a day's trip maybe if she hurried she could be back before dark tonight. 10 was so wrapped up in thought, that she did not notice the guardian at the door. As she walked past he spoke, his voice soft but startling in the silence. 10 jumped a bit.

"Where are you going?" 8's big and loving smiled greeted her. He chuckled a bit at her jumping at his voice, he meant her no harm. 10, once recovered from the shock, smiled back.

"H-hi 8, I was just…just going to get some fresh air…" It was a lie, 10 knew but she hoped 8 wouldn't see through it.

8 regarded her for a moment, looking deeply into her optics, forcing 10 to look away.

"Liar." 8's smile faded.

10 head snapped up, meeting 8's gaze. How could he possibly know?

"Where are you going?" 8 repeated because unlike before at the sanctuary he cared now, down to the final stitch in his fabric he cared. He wasn't planning on letting anyone ever get hurt again. He still blamed himself for 0's injury and for 5 and 10 being tortured. He watched 10, wiggling a bit under his gaze.

She wasn't going to tell him, he could tell she was trying to come up with another lie. 8 bent his knees bringing his bulk more to her level.

"Tell me…or…" Or what? He couldn't leave her alone to wake 9 or one of the others, she might run off… thinking he got an idea.

"Talk…or I tickle…" 8 watched with satisfaction as 10's optics widened. He had no idea how afraid she really was, after a night of dance being tickled would make her pass out again, then the others would find out what she was trying to go do and…oh how to get out of this…

8 silently stood, her internal struggle apparent. Her shoulders slumped and 8 knew he had won.

"I...I am going to get a gear for 0. I…I think I know where to find one, it near here so I should be back tonight. I promise." 10 turned to leave as 8, gently but firmly, grabbed her arm.

"I'm coming too." 10 turned to argue but 8 looked sternly at her.

"I'm coming." He repeated.

10 nodded and with that the duo set out into the emptiness.

To try an save 0.

If only they could save themselves…..

8 didn't say anything as they walked and walked, climbing over bits of rubble from the remains of humanity in the way. 10 was surprised by how much she remembered, or thought she remembered.

After an hour of travel the sun was well up. 10 was now glad 8 had come, she had forgotten just how lonely the emptiness could be. 10 would glance back at 8, he was obviously keeping a sharp watch and guarding her. Just like 0 used too. She knew that's why he had wanted to come. 10 couldn't fight and she shivered at the thought of a beast finding her out here alone or worst -9 finding her.

The travel was uneventful and by early afternoon 10 found herself guiding 8 down the little road to the houses. They were so close now…

10 heard humming, like someone singing a sad song.

"Do you hear that?" 10 asked, 8 listened then grunted shaking his head, he heard nothing.

10 began to hum along with this forgotten melody as they came to the first stairs that would lead up an into the building from her dreams.

10 bared touched the first step, when suddenly she took off running, bounding up each step into the building.

"Mother!" She cried out.

8 looked confused before chasing after her.

He found her on the third floor of the house, in a small back room, kneeling on the floor. There was no sign of life or even that there ever had been life, no bodies of humans, unlike in most places. Dust and disuse was apparent everywhere.

"10?" 8 questioned quietly. He couldn't understand the lost looking stitchpunk in front of him. He was here, she wasn't lost, he would look after her. She wiped at her face, like humans would and turned to him. Pointing she spoke.

"0's replacement gear should be on the table, in a wooden box." 10 stood and came over to 8. They both could easily climb the lamp cord to the top of the table but 8 thought 10 looked too weak for that task. She had been acting strange ever since they came here. What was a mother anyway? Why did 10 call for it?

"Stay here, I'll get it." Without another word 8 began to climb the long cord to the top of the table.

10 watched 8 climb, wishing she had the strength to help but…something had stolen all her energy. She had been lost, had forgotten everything in the moment before 8 called her name. If 8 hadn't come with her, if she had been alone…10 didn't want to think about it. In some strange way, 8 had just saved her life.

8 was only gone a moment before smiling over the table edge, the large gear in his hand. He came down the rope with ease and handed 10 the gear. The smile she gave him warmed him to his gears. 10 carefully packed the gear into her satchel and the duo started down the stairs. When they reached the second floor, 10 turned looking towards a room with beads hanging down over the doorway. They were blue and purple and glittered in the afternoon light. She had a sudden urge to go in there.

She turned and slowly walked down the hall, her strange humming starting again. 8 grabbed her arm stopping her in her tracks.

"Go now." 8 grunted. 10 nodded, snapping out of it. They hurried out of the house and as they were almost out of sight 8 looked back. Something very bad happened in there. He knew it, felt it. Whatever that something was, it did funny things to 10. He couldn't let her go back there, not again and not alone.

8 knew somehow…somehow….

10's human body was in that room.

Her decaying human body…

-9 made his was slowly into the family's new home. 1 had told him where the twins were sleeping. He would lure them away, it would be easy, they were children after all. -9 pulled out his lure, a strange and very shiny gear on a string. With a bit of doing 3 and 4 would be curious enough to follow it into the trap he laid. -9 couldn't believe there was no one guarding the door. That just left the warrior for him to watch out for. Scanning the darkness, he had to be quick; the first light of day was starting to show itself.

Making his way towards the books in the corner he could see a few weak flashes of light. The twins were up, early risers, reading quietly. 7 didn't like to be woken up to early unless it was an emergency. So 3 and 4 were amusing themselves with a book. -9 got into position, smiling wickedly. The twins would be his…to do whatever he wanted with.

-9 rolled the gear out, and at its movement 3 and 4 began to give chase. What was it? Why was it moving? It was so small, it couldn't hurt them. They could go explore it. 3 and 4 turned a corner, away from the others and everything went black as a dark blanket was thrown over them.

Clicking and flashing desperately 3 and 4 tried to free themselves. They only had a moment before something grabbed the sides of their heads, smashing them violently together. The twins were out like a light.

-9 uncovered them and slowly slipped a bit of the black vile oil into their mouths, it wouldn't take long.

When 3 and 4 next opened there optics, they were red. Love, joy, curiosity all of it was gone from them. There real selves locked away inside by the poison oil, free will gone from each twin.

They got on their knees before -9, silently pledging obedience. He smiled, he could trap 7 with them and once he had her. The others would fall.

-9 laughed… as the sun rose on the beginning of the end.