"Forever as long as we shall live."

Those words kept repeating in her head, caressing her into the wonder that held her. She was warm, comfortable, relaxed. She didn't know how or why, but she was enjoying it as much as possible until she was called by the Mistress. Memories suddenly filled her mind as the men dragged her away from Caroline, the Master standing before them as he let them take her and hold her down as the ax came down.

Laine awoke with a gasp. Her body heavy and groggy as she tried to take in her sights. Warm lights gave way to the pristine room as she felt something stuck to her left hand while her whole right arm was numb to her fingers. Lifting her head, she glanced down to see a strange cord attached to her hand, taped down to her wrist. She looked around, taking in all that was there and realization slowly donned on her. She reached over to pull the tape and cord off only to stop, horror filling her as she saw her right hand, or what was to be her right hand. She didn't believe it, didn't want to. The heavily wrapped material laid around her arm as the rest of it was missing. No fingers or a palm, barely even her forearm. All of it was gone from the elbow down.

"It wasn't a dream!" she spoke aloud as she moved away from the bed, collapsing on the floor as she stared at her arm.

The pain of the incident came to her, how blinding and evil it was as they held her there, the Master watching until they all suddenly let her go. They removed her arm. They took it from her with no true reason but the belief she stole something. Why would people do such an evil thing to her? She tried to figure it out as the tears poured from her, she was alone and didn't know what was to come of her or why she probably was even there. The tug of the cord to her hand caught her off guard, making her pull away from it only to have her hand sting in pain, blood slowly dripping down her fingers. The tear on her skin gave way as she saw the needle hanging from the cord, one she knew well of.

She steadied herself to her feet, shaking in worry and weakness as the adrenaline began to kick in. With what effort she could muster, she found the door and made her way out the door, looking down the long corridor as doors left unanswered wants and lights gave way to a new unknown. She didn't know where to go, left or right, both were daunting as she looked down them both. She wanted to find a face she knew, one that gave comfort and safety, but those were far and in between. A manic cackle filled the air, making her jump and look down the right half of the hall. She watched as a man stumbled out the one door, smiling like a madman and twirling a knife around. Crouching down beside the doorframe, she prayed he didn't see her. She was in a madhouse, completely and utterly mad he was as a sharp command in a foreign tongue came to her. She watched as the crazed one waved the knife before another, his white cap placed firmly upon him as he watched the little one with boredom upon his face. A sudden smack caught her off guard as the small one scurried off with the other, sharper orders leaving the fellow as they walked out of sight and finally giving her a chance to run.

Beelining it down the left, she prayed she could find the door out. To escape the nightmare she was in and somehow survive until she got back to Haven and her Mistress. A light ache filled her arm as she moved around the hall, checking doors until she found another small hall, one of decorated decency. She wondered if it was the foyer, her hope to escape as she slowly approached it until something bumped into her.

"What the..." the voice trailed off, "Who are you?"

Laine looked up to see a man before her, strange maroon eyes looking down at her as his mouth seemed to twist in a recognized pout, the black uniform made him daunting as his features were none she had witnessed before.

Panic roared to life in her, making her run from him as he called out to her. There were too many people, too many new and unknown things before her. The thought of being caught again and held down and having the same happen to her other arm frightened her more than anything as she flew past doors, hearing people chatter behind some and others open after she passed them. She wanted to escape, hoping that if she ran fast enough, that she would somehow reverse it all and pretend like nothing ever happened. Well, that was her thought until a pair of arms wrapped around her.

Laine screamed out, fear winning over her mind as someone spoke to her, telling her to calm down and relax. She didn't want to hear anything, didn't want to see it or believe it all. She fought as much as her body would let her until a pair of hands came to her face, "Laine!"

She threw her head back and forth, wanting to escape as they did it again, "Laine, it's me! It's Heather, love! It's me!"

Finally, she opened her eyes, seeing the familiar woman before her. Eyes filled with worry as she held her face in her soft palms, "Laine?"

"Heather?" she squeaked out.

"Yes, darling, it's me, it's-" she didn't give her a moment to finish as she launched herself free of the grasp and wrapped her arms around her and sobbed.

Heather rocked her as she pet her hair, soothing her as she spoke to another around them. She was alive. Dear God, she was alive and with her. Or maybe she was dead and was seeing Heather in Heaven or the Hereafter like the Master had spoken about. It didn't matter, she wasn't alone anymore. It all left her, every ounce of sadness and hurt, worry and fear, it poured out of her as she sobbed against her. Heather held her tight, proving more that she was real before her, even placing a gentle kiss to her hair as soothing words left her.

"Oh, Heather, I thought you dead!"

Heather pulled away for only a moment, "Why did you think that?"

Laine sniffled, "The paper, it stated that two died in an explosion at the bakery. I believed you and Oliver dead."

"Did it give names?"

Laine thought of the paper, trying her best to remember it besides the heartache it gave her, "Not that I recall."

All she gained was a simple nod from her, "Why don't we go and talk. I think you really need it."

With a gentle hand, Heather pulled her up, having her lean against her as they entered a small lounge. Coffee lifted to her as the warmth of the room gave her the truth that she was truly living and not dreaming, "So, I am very much alive."

"Yes." Heather gave a melancholy reply, "Very much so. But now, you are safer than before and no shape or form of hurt will come to you."

Laine looked down at her arm, still in denial of what happened, "So...?"

"They tried to reattach it." Heather spoke, "They all tried but the damage was too much. Don't dwell on it, Laine, it'll only make your mind sick with hurt."

A small cup laid before her as Heather poured something within, the light aroma becoming familiar, "Tea."

"Yes, rose tea. I ran out of chamomile, good lord never thought he'd drink so much before appointments. Worried wart."

"Oliver?"

"Yes." Heather nodded, "Indeed. Speaking of him and I, the bakery. You said you read in a paper that the bakery exploded and two died within, correct?"

"Yes." Laine lifted the cup only to pause as she moved her right arm to hold it, "This will be challenging."

"Time will be your keeper there, plus another with the prosthetic."

"A what?"

Heather shook her head, "Never mind that now, that's a little down the road. So, no names were given but two deaths."

"Precisely." Laine replied, "Was the paper wrong? Was it another? I do feel awful for those that did not survive."

"Well, unfortunately, it was the bakery of ours. But like I told you, the last time you were here, Oliver and I no longer live there. We moved a bit farther to accommodate our growing family."

"So the deaths?"

Heather sighed, "We hired a man to fix some of the floorings in the backroom kitchen, he was one. And the other, well, sadly was Mrs. Wilkins. She stayed to help out some days and that one was no different as I had an appointment. Those were the two that died within."

Her heart seized up, "The lovely older lady?"

"Yes. It breaks my heart knowing that. I prayed really that she got out but I knew deep down it wasn't so."

"How awful, she was too gentle and kind."

Heather nodded, "That she was. But how did you come across a paper?"

"Caroline, one of those who serve our Master and Mistress, brought it forth. She didn't want to see me hurt." Laine paused, remembering the woman, "She told me to run."

"Run?"

"From the home. She apologized about her thoughts and the told me to run. I didn't understand but she saw them take me."

Heather sighed, "I don't know, but it seemed that she tried to stop what was coming."

"I wished I listened more."

"That's anyone."

"Sí, anyone indeed." someone spoke from the door.

Laine looked over to see a man leaning against the frame, looking at the two of them. His clothes seemed bright and flamboyant, fashionable as the Mistress would say. Blonde hair fanned around him as he glanced over the pinkish glasses.

"No worries, darling, he's one of us."

"Us?"

"Yes," he spoke smoothly, "I work alongside Oliver and Gillen. And I must say, you do have a serious fight or flight about you."

She watched as he rubbed his chin, a small bruise forming. The small ache at the back of her head gave way to his words, making her recoil in shock, "I'm ever so sorry, I did not mean to hurt you."

His eyes widened at her as a massive grin joined them, "Oh, please tell me she talks like this all the time."

Laine looked to Heather, "What is wrong with how I speak? I am clear, yes?"

Heather nodded, "Yes, you are. It's just how you word things and speak. It's clear to us but for us, it's also very odd. It's just an accent we are not used to."

She never realized how different she was compared to them; how she dressed, or spoke, or even looked. She felt like an outcast suddenly, and now with her arm missing, the void grew even more, causing her to shiver.

"Ah, yes, that's why I came here." the man stated, "I grabbed all I could and made a few extras as she slept. I just measured from what Natasha and you told me."

"Right, Laine?" Heather came to her side, "Would you like to get into something more comfortable?"

"As in?"

"More of our clothes." the man stated, "That dress was a nice material but a bit dated and we won't speak of the cloak with it nor-"

"Flavio. Please, just get the clothes for her."

"Suit yourself." he walked away as Heather pulled on her arm.

"Flavio?" Laine repeated as they went behind the odd folding screen.

"Yes, he's the brother to Luciano, he runs this place. Don't worry about him, he's quite tame compared to others."

"Like the man in black and the other two?"

"Who did you run into?"

Laine thought for a moment, "The first men I saw were strange. The little one wielding a knife, his grin nearly taking over his face until the other came into the hall. He looked unamused with him, bored as one would suggest but the harsh language from him deterred the little one away. After that moment, I ran into another in a black uniform. His hair was dark and eyes not I've seen before, he seemed shocked to see me but it was hard to tell."

"Was the man that spoke the harsh language wearing a white cap?"

"Yes?"

"Taito and Egil." she nodded, "The Nordic boys and the last one, well, was his skin a little darker than ours and his eyes a strange shape?"

"Well, that is pretty surprising, yes."

"Kuro."

Laine tilted her head as Heather continued, "Kuro is pretty much another hand to Luciano, besides Lutz. Where he goes those two follow. Kuro hails from Japan. He's what most would call, Asian."

"Asian?" she spoke aloud, hearing it in brief from her Master, "I only know of the lands."

"People are scares. Not that I'm saying there aren't any, it's just very few in this area."

Laine nodded to her as she heard the door open, "I got them. Now, as I said, I did the best that I could work within those days."

She watched as Heather disappeared for only a second to pop around again, this time with arms full of clothing. So many colors and materials, some she had never seen before as she touched the strange shiny material. Her fingers graced them. Noticing lace and cotton due to her Mistress, yet the rest were unknown to her.

"Right, off with that gown." Heather said as she pulled something on her.

"What are you doing?" Laine demanded, unsure of what was going on.

"Helping you get dressed, love." Heather replied as she seemed to take her in, "Nothing wrong."

"But...I mean...what about-"

"Laine? Have you ever undressed before someone?"

Laine shook her head, what more could she truly say, it was the truth for her. It was known that all the people within be within their own quarters when dressing for the day or even in cleaning. There was never to be a moment where they all were before each other indecent to the world.

"Oh, wow. That wasn't expected." Heather sighed, "Ok, well, in this case, you do need me to help you since, well no reason saying it aloud. But we are both women, nothing scary or different about us."

She wasn't sure what to do as Heather nodded to her, another shiver rolling through her. She was cold, she could admit that, but it was still so strange. Gathering up all she could, she let the strange garment fall to the ground. Heather bustled around her, looking over the pieces and then her, muttering under her breath of chill and hot and inappropriate.

"So measuring bra size, it's band then bust, correct Flavio?"

"Correct." he replied, "And remember, always round up and add four or five. Four if even and five if odd."

Heather nodded as she brought a strange tape to her, "I'm not going to hurt you, just measure you out. Just relax and lift your arms."

This was the strangest thing she had ever witnessed. Doing as told, she felt the pieces wrap under her breasts as Heather spoke quietly to repeat the same thing across her bust. Was this really coming over the wall? Women touching one another like so without a second thought?

"Thirty-four band, thirty-seven bust?" she spoke aloud.

"Thirty-four C."

In a flash, she was gone. Lifting clothes and tossing some aside until she came back to her with a weird piece of clothing, "What is that?"

Heather paused, her eyes flaring wide, "A bra?"

Bra? "What is that?"

"Laine, may I ask a, how to put, private yet needed question?"

Laine nodded, eyeing the strange thing once more, "How did you and the other ladies of the home, bind yourselves?"

"Oh, that is simple. We always had our foundation on." she replied, "Well, foundation garment to be precise. We were always told to keep it on, even when sleeping."

A howling cackle erupted on the other side of the screen, making her jump in shock as she looked over to Heather, "Foundation garment?"

"A corset!" Flavio laughed once more, "Dio bono, I haven't heard that term in ages."

"Right, should've guessed there but didn't." Heather nodded, coming closer, "Well, this is a bit less of the garment you're used to. It's the same principle. I just need you to hold out your arms."

Doing as told, she let Heather place on the weird contraption, tightening it and settling it to comfort as she quickly moved on. One piece after another, she was practically covered from head to toe in weird clothing as Heather searched for something.

"Now, I hope you got something warm here, it's chilly in parts of these halls."

"Wait!" she heard Flavio yell, "Here. He'll kill me later but be satisfied when he realizes it's on her."

She saw his arm reach around with a folded garment, "He may but I doubt he will. He's preoccupied as we speak."

Before she could ask, Heather threw the piece over her, straightening her out to just sit back and nod at her, "There, all set."

Laine wasn't sure what to do, the clothes felt foreign to her, abstract to her usual life. But now that life was gone, replaced with a new one. She sighed, following the woman around the screen until a warm, familiar scent came to her. Her head swung around, looking for its source yet he wasn't there. Even around the screen, she didn't see him yet smelled him.

"Oh Laine." Flavio grinned at her, "It's the sweatshirt. Smell the fabric."

She puzzled at him, hesitantly doing as he said, only to dive into the warm fabric, "It smells like him. How did you come about his cologne?"

Flavio's face scrunched in laughter as he looked over to Heather, "Oh, this is wondrous."

"Must you." Heather chided him as she turned to her, "It's not cologne hun, it's actually his. You're wearing his sweatshirt."

She tried to speak yet lost the ability as someone came into the room. Not just anybody, but him. Those magenta-reds looking at her in relief as another joined his side. The hood no longer hiding him or his heavy coat, the familiar white ponytail laid on his shoulder as he stood in the doorway.

As she took him in, Oliver came into view, "Oh crumpets, you're fast Gillen. Oh, Laine, you're awake. Glad to see you in a better state."

She couldn't move. There was too much before her to even think straight as Heather stood and walked over to the door with Flavio in tow, "Right then, we'll leave you two alone for a little bit and check up on you both in a while."

"Wait, Heather, I just got here." Oliver protested, "Why not-"

"Later love," Heather pushed him away with Flavio as both men tried to talk to her, "Right now, this is between them."

Then, they were gone. Silence looming over them as she stared at him. He was there, really there before her. He seemed to be unsure of himself, yet happy to be there in a strange, hidden way about himself.

"Laine, I...I..." he stammered, "I'm...I'm sorry."

She didn't say anything, just looked at him as he tried to speak to her, venturing closer to her, "I really am. I tried to stop it all, tried to save you from-"

She cut him off. She threw herself against him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she held him to her, the ache in her right arm beginning to throb while she sobbed against him. He was really there. Standing before her as she felt his arms pull her close, no words needing to leave him. There was no real word to him and how he felt to her. Comfort. Warmth. Trust. Home. It all fit him and she was never more happy to have it before her.

"It's alright, Laine, it's alright." he whispered to her, "It's ok, you're safe."

Laine shuddered against him as he spoke, she knew he was right. There would be so much changing before her as she adjusted to this new life she was given but his words were all she needed that it was truly worth being there. Especially with him.

"You're safe now."