Fox the Cave: Thanks.I'm not entirely sure what's going to happen straight after Jade and Pey'j leave, but I have a pretty good idea of what will happen when Jade's at the Slaughterhouse, and after that. So hey, it's all good.

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"They're okay, right?" Zaza breathed after a long while of silence. No one answered at first, but eventually, Pablo glanced at him and nodded

"They'll be fine... it's Jade and Pey'j." He replied, sounding remarkably uncertain "They can look after themselves." Pablo nodded, mostly to reassure himself. More minutes passed slowly, and a loud whirring filled the air. Moments later, there were two ships perched on the island. A TV reporter and his crew emerged from one, and the Alpha Sections from another. The war orphans felt immensely relieved at their arrival, and watched as the Alpha Sections scoured the area for any signs of danger. It took them a fair while, but eventually they sent one down into the hole that Jade and Pey'j had disappeared into. A minute or so later, the two emerged. The TV reporter leaped into action, firing questions at the speed of light. Pey'j angrily yelled at them, and they left with an irritated comment.

"You okay, Jenika?" Jade questioned, looking concerned.

"I'm fine... Just... Give me an hour in the bathroom and I'll sort myself out." Jenika smiled slightly, putting on a brave face. Jade nodded, then looked at Pey'j

"Thanks, Pey'j. If it wasn't for you, I... I..." She trailed off, swaying uncertainly for a second, and then losing consciousness. There was a sudden flurry of activity, during which Jenika crept into the lighthouse and up to the bathroom. She leaned on the switch, but the door didn't open. They were still out of power. She cursed, sinking down in front of the door miserably, and proceeding to pick the splinters out of her hands.

It was sunset before a yell of "She's okay!" came from Zaza downstairs. By that time, Jenika had removed the worst of the splinters, but there were still a few, and her hands were bleeding and painful. She ached all over, and doubted she'd be able to get up without a considerable amount of difficulty. Zaza raced up the gentle slope, and beamed down at Jenika

"Jade's up! She says that she's okay, but she's worried about the power." He said rapidly, not pausing for breath. Jenika looked up at him, smiling weakly

"That's great."

"How are you? Have you been up here all this time?"

"Yeah, I can't get into the bathroom. I'll have to wait until the power's restored before I can clean up."

"Well, it'll probably be back soon. Jade will know what to do." Zaza smiled encouragingly "You should come down for a bit."

"Nah, I think I'll stay here." Jenika replied, thankful for the offer despite turning it down.

"Okay... If you're sure." Zaza said reluctantly, turning and heading back to the main room. Jenika leaned back against the door, allowing her head to bounce somewhat on the wooden surface. However, Zaza was right. It didn't take long for the power to be restored, and the second artificial light filled the Lighthouse shelter, she thumped the switch and straightened up as the door opened. Disappearing into the bathroom, she pressed the switch and the door shut behind her, locking from the outside. Finally alone, she allowed the tears that had been welling up in her eyes for what seemed like eternity, to roll down her cheeks. She really didn't feel the need to cry any more, but she knew that it would make her feel better in the long run. She grew tired after a short while, and sniffed massively, wiping the back of her hand across her eyes and nose. Stuffing the plug into the basin, she jerked the hot water on. Once the basin was full, steam rising in plumes and coating the mirror in condensation, she turned the water off. Plunging her hands into it, she winced at the heat, but left her hands in all the same. A few minutes later, she took them out and dried them softly on the towel beside the toilet. Her skin softened, she removed the last of the splinters. Luckily, none of the smaller ones had gone particularly deep, so she got them out with no problem. Her hands were soon bleeding slightly again, but she pressed them against the towel for a few seconds and they pretty much stopped. Wiping her sleeve across the mirror to clear it, she peered in at her face and recoiled. There was a gash in the side of her face, but luckily, it didn't seem likely to leave visible bruising. She bathed the wound with the somewhat bloodied towel, knowing fully well that someone would complain at her about it later.

After a pleasant bath, Jenika emerged from the bathroom with her damp hair falling over her flannel nightclothes. Jade was standing with a camera in hand, a mildly concerned smile on her face

"Feeling better?" She asked, adding "You certainly look better. It's stopped bleeding now." Jade beckoned at the cut on Jenika's face.

"Yeah, I... I feel fine. A bit bruised, but I'll get over it." Jenika smiled. A silence settled, and once it reached the point of being uncomfortable, Jenika nodded at the camera "Why did you dig that out? You haven't used it in ages."

"Oh!" Jade looked down at the camera, then back at Jenika "Yeah, Segundo got me a job. I take photos and send them to the Science Centre. They pay, and... we get money in the account and... electricity in the system. Speaking of which, could I get a photo of you? Homo Sapiens isn't on the list yet. No one would let me take a photo."

"But..." Jenika glanced down in the direction of her cheek, then back up at Jade, a self-conscious look on her face.

"What?" Jade questioned, apparently completely oblivious.

"It's hideous." Jenika stated miserably, pointing at her cut.

"Oh, don't worry! Stand to one side, or something. Please? We need the money..." Jade half-pleaded.

"Fine..." Jenika snapped, sounding irritated. In truth, she didn't mind. Perhaps she'd look extra-pretty, and everyone would comment on her good looks. She doubted it, but it never hurt to hope. Tilting her head to a slight angle, she glanced questioningly at Jade.

"That's great, hold it." She said, lifting the camera. She fiddled for a second, then there was a snap and a whirr "Great! Thanks." Jade said, grinning. Jenika smiled and nodded, heading into the laundry room. She tossed her wet towel in, and joined the other's downstairs by the fire, listening to the radio.

"Hey, Jenika. How're you doing?" Pey'j looked up from the radio as Jenika walked in, and everyone turned to look at her too.

"I'm fine." Jenika replied, smiling widely. She liked the attention she was getting, though would have perhaps preferred to receive it when she was in less pain. Sitting herself down on the step leading up, she glanced around at everyone. They were all looking back at the radio, having made a series of comments about how it was good that she was feeling better. "Where's Yoa?" Jenika questioned. No one answered at first, but there was an absent

"She's gone outside. She sleeps out there now." From Pablo.

"Why? Did you kick her out?"

"I don't know. She just started sleeping out there about two days ago. You haven't noticed?"

"No... I don't pay attention to you guys when I go to sleep."

"Well you always seem to get up and go outside in the middle of the night." Pablo pointed out, looking up at Jenika for a second. She shrugged

"Where does she sleep, exactly?"

"Down by the tree."

"Well that's why I don't see her. I never go down there at night."

"You did before. We all saw you come running up when the DomZ attacked." Pablo was apparently suspicious of something. This made Jenika somewhat angry

"I haven't seen her, okay? Deal with it." The radio was boring her, and Pablo was getting on her nerves. She got to her feet and, predictably, she stalked off outside, and down to the tree where Yoa allegedly slept. Indeed, she was there, curled up in the shadow of a boulder. The light shone on her eyes. She was awake, and staring unblinking at Jenika "Hey, Yoa." Jenika smiled, sitting down beside her.

"Jenika." Yoa said, something of a smile on her face.

"Don't worry, I know you're struggling to speak out language. You don't have to talk to me if you don't want." There was a silence, a pleasant one, in which Jenika looked to the sky, and Yoa continued to study her intently. Then, much to Jenika's surprise, Yoa spoke

"I can be speaking your language better than you all know." She said quietly, her eyes meeting Jenika's who was somewhat shocked "But do not tell them, yes? I am not liking talking to them. They treat me different."

"Oh... okay." Jenika said, nodding. She was rather taken aback, not used to people knowing more than they let on. But she couldn't really blame her. No one liked being treated differently. Another silence fell, more uncomfortable this time. "So... why do you sleep outside, now? Did they kick you out?"

"No, it is not that. They say they do not mind me being with them. I am just liking staying here. Inside is too... hard. Do you know how I mean?"

"Sorry, no... hard?"

"It is hard to breath properly. It is hot, and I feel I want to scream." Yoa said, rolling on to her back as she explained, and staring up at the sky with Jenika, who did the same, tucking her hands behind her head.

"Yeah, I know what you mean. It can get a bit stuffy in there from time to time. Especially when Pablo's in there. Obnoxious bastard." At that, Yoa looked questioningly at Jenika, who noticed her movement and looked back at her, grinning sheepishly "Don't worry. I just don't like him at the moment." She said. Yoa gave something of a nod, and turned back to look at the sky, as did Jenika. Eventually, she drifted off. Yoa glanced over at her and smiled

"Good night." She said. Jenika muttered something inaudible in reply, but was too close to sleep to give a proper response.