A/N: Agh, sorry this chapter took me forever to freaking update. I had trouble writing out the scenes exactly how I wanted them. Then other things took up my time. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!

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NINE

Sacrifices

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When Oliver arrived home, he set his things down, took off his blazer and glasses, unbuttoned his dress shirt, and made himself a drink. He took a sip from his martini and without warning threw it across the room. The glass shattered against the wall.

"Damn it!" Oliver let out an angry growl. He sat back down on the sofa and put his face in his hands.

Oliver felt foolish for believing that Wendy Peyser would help him get Lana out. He thought she would be understanding and merciful when she heard about Lana's state. Oliver knew if he were in Wendy's place, he would have released her. Then again, Oliver didn't know what it was to be a gay woman in their time. Wendy would have lost it all for Lana.

Would he?

Oliver thought about his career and his patients. Would he give them all up for Lana?

He glanced over at her file upon the coffee table. Her photograph sat upon it.

He took it and studied it.

The answer was so clear. So evident. Oliver knew what to do even if it wasn't the correct way.

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That particular morning, Briarcliff was alive with the screams and cries of agonizing patients roaming the halls. Some were being lead to their chambers by the orderlies while the others coward in a corner to themselves.

Oliver still felt a loss over the visit to Wendy Peyser's home. He had been so sure he could convince her to release Lana. Christmas was so close and Oliver knew that Sister Jude was growing impatient. All his therapy sessions with Lana seemed to be working but at such a slow pace. Sometimes Oliver could see the life in her eyes but it was like Lana refused to live.

Oliver understood her in a way. Why come back to reality when Briarcliff was all she had waiting for her?

Lana wouldn't truly be herself until she exited through those front doors.

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His session with Lana that day was an exhausting one. He delved deep into her mind and coaxed her to use her words to express her feelings. Oliver wanted her to have a better chance before Jude's deadline. Even if she didn't escape Briarcliff right away, she needed an end to the solitary confinement and the electroshock therapies.

"We've come to know each other quite well, haven't we, Lana?" Oliver asked at one point during their session.

Lana gave a little timid nod and landed her eyes upon her lap. She seemed somewhat upset for having to dig into her past but was not showing it. Or last was trying not to.

"As you know I accept you for who you are." He smiled at her, "You're very bright, I truly believe that."

Lana reacted to his words and her eyes glossed with tears. She bit back a smile and gave him a small nod as if agreeing with him. Oliver liked that she did. He wanted Lana to acknowledge her self worth and accept it. It would truly help with her self esteem.

"I told you I would help you but now I need you to help me." The answer to their problem wasn't any more therapy sessions in his office but out in the open world.

Oliver met her eyes and ever so calmly spoke. "If you could leave Briarcliff at this instant. Would you?"

Lana searched for the answer in his eyes, not quite understanding the question at first. She leaned in closer and whispered in a soft, cracking voice, "Yes."

.

There had been no hesitation in Lana's answer and Oliver's plan became more realistic in his mind. He had just let Lana retreat to the mess hall with one of the young nuns while he was called to Sister Jude's office.

Jude sat at her desk, looking through a few files on a new patient that had just arrived days prior. Oliver hadn't met her yet but she had caused quite a stir by claiming to be the deceased Anne Frank.

"You wanted to see me, Sister?"

"Yes, Dr. Come in. Have a seat." She said in her heavy accent.

Oliver did as she told and took a seat on one of the chairs across her desk. He tried not to look concerned but he was extremely so.

It took Jude a moment to glance up from the files. She looked extremely concerned over the new patient and he could tell she weighed heavily on the nun's mind.

"I just wanted to inform ya that yer services with Ms. Winters will no longer be needed."

Oliver was confused at first and didn't believe he had heard her correctly. "Excuse me?"

Jude sighed and placed her aging hands upon the large wooden desk. "Ever since ya started yer therapy sessions with her, ya have neglected yer other patients. Spivey has dwindled greatly and is worse than ever."

Oliver tried not to explode on the matter and forced himself to keep calm. "I have never neglected my other patients or have given any special treatment to either of them. I give Spivey the same amount of time I give Lana."

Jude snorted, "Please, Dr. You roam around this hospital with her like a school boy in love."

"I do not—" Oliver stopped himself and cleared his throat. "Ms. Winters is a special case. Besides, you and I had an agreement that I would get until Christmas Eve to show you her progress—"

"Well, what can I say? The agreement is off."

Oliver stood to his feet, "You can not do this!"

Jude glanced up at him with those hard brown eyes of hers and slowly stood to face him. "Yes, yes I can."

"You know this isn't right."

"I have been far too patient and too lenient with this idea of yours and I have not seen a single ounce of progress." Jude confirmed.

"That's because you haven't taken the time to speak with her. To truly see the change in her."

"A mad woman can never change."

"You're wrong!" Oliver snapped.

"Careful, Dr. Thredson. I could discharge you from this place all together."

Oliver was rigid with anger. He pushed his glasses up and lifted his chin, "There will be no need. I resign myself." And without another word, Oliver exited Sister Jude's office, leaving her in mild shock of his sudden decision.

Oliver rushed to the common room where he knew Lana was waiting for him. The night before his answer to all their problems seemed like a crazy idea but in that moment, it seemed like the right thing to do.

Oliver found Lana standing by the window. Her eyes were out on the garden where he knew she wished to be. He hurried over to her and took a hold of her hand, bringing her closer.

"You said you wanted to leave, didn't you?" He looked around to notice Frank sitting on a chair against the wall slightly dozing off. Sister Mary Eunice was speaking with another patient, softly encouraging her.

Lana became nervous and rather alarmed but remained somewhat calm. She nodded vigorously.

"I'm getting you out of here. Tonight."

Lana shook her head softly. Not to say no, but to communicate that she didn't understand.

Oliver saw her alarm and forced a smile. "Tonight I'm coming back for you. All right? Do you understand?"

Lana looked over to Frank, distracted.

Oliver brought her attention back to him. "Everything's all right. Don't you worry. I won't leave you here." He gave her a genuine smile. "I won't leave you behind."

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Oliver was packing the things in his office when there was a knock on the door. "Come in." He called out and Sister Jude stepped inside.

She meandered for a moment, watching him pack his belongings. "So yer leavin' after all."

"I am." He said firmly, "I'll stay until the end of the day but I won't be back tomorrow."

"Are ya sure ya wanna do this?" She stepped closer to him. "Risk yer job for a crazy woman?"

Oliver met Jude's eyes. "I'm losing my job over what's right." He looked away. "After all, you never truly wanted me here, Sister. What is the problem? I thought you would be glad."

Jude exhaled, "I won't miss ya, Dr. But the patients will." She turned to leave his office, "If ya change yer mind, ya know where to find me."

He turned around to face her, "Will you change your mind about Lana?"

She shook her head.

"Then I won't change my mind."

Jude gave him a mere shrug and left his office, leaving Oliver to wonder if he was making the right choice.

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Oliver waited until night fell upon the asylum. It was roughly 7 o'clock; around the latest he stayed most stays finishing up notes and paperwork. He knew Sister Jude had retreated to her chambers by then. She was an early bird kind of woman that did not linger in the late hours of the night.

Oliver waited in his office extremely nervous for his plan. The rest of Briarcliff was still up and about. The nuns were putting the patients in their quarters with the help of the orderlies. Lana usually retired to her room at about six o'clock where she stayed put until the next morning. Oliver was sure that Sister Mary Eunice had already helped her to bed.

Oliver stood in front of his door and patted his pocket where he had an extra key to the women's chamber doors. There was a voice nagging him against the idea, trying desperately to stop him but Oliver went on.

He opened the door to his office, stepped out of it and continued down the hall to the women's chambers where Lana was waiting for him.