Disclaimer: Don't own it.

Note: Perhaps not the best quote for this chapter, but I like it!

I'm single by choice. Not my choice.

Orny Adams

I stared at Zhuzhen. "Margarite's here?"

"Yes! Come on," he said, standing up. We went out into the corridor, and Zhuzhen knocked on the door next to mine. A voice called out, "Come in," and we did so.

Inside Margarite was waiting for us. "Hi," she said to me.

"Hi!" I gave her a hug. "It's good to see you! I haven't seen you since - "

"Since the moocher mooched off?"

"Well…yes,"

"I'm sorry, Alice. Really, really sorry,"

I noticed that she didn't look as healthy as when I had last seen her. She looked tired and…older.

Zhuzhen, who had remained in the doorway throughout this exchange said "I'll go tell Zhen that I'm leaving,"

Margarite looked up at him. "You're going?"

"Yeah. Alice and I, we're going on a quest," he said, over his shoulder as he left.

"Fill me in!" Demanded Margarite. I did.

Afterwards, we sat silently for a minute. I hadn't cried this time, but we'd both gotten pretty close. Margarite had been fond of Yuri. She'd known him only one day less than I had, and they'd had very similar attitudes to life. Margarite and I were quite good friends. Out of the group, we were the only girls, and having to traverse the trials of master Xiofang early in our acquaintance had helped us bond.

"So, you're heading to the fort of regrets, huh?"

"Yes. Do you want to come too? We need a good fighter. Zhuzhen's good, but he's better at back-up, and I'm still learning…"

"Definitely! You need me to watch your back, girl. Like I always do,"

"Yes. But aren't you needed?"

"What, as a spy? Nah. I've gone underground ever since the god thing. They think I died,"

"Really?"

"Yeah. Actually, I haven't done any government work since I met you and Yuri in Fengtian. I just went AWOL,"

"So, we're leaving in the morning, right?"

"Okay,"

I stood up to go. "Thanks Margarite,"

"I'm not doing it for you. I was fond of the moocher too,"

"I know – huh?"

"What?"

"Shhh…"

I could hear Koudelka's psychic voice cutting in on my thoughts. "Alice! There…will…b ...tr…ble…in…Dom...emy!…go...ba...now...!"

"Uh, what just happened?"

"I jut heard Koudelka's voice! She said something about…trouble in Domremy? She told me to go back!"

"So, we're going there before the Fort of Regrets?"

I nodded. "Oh, I hope everyone's okay!"

"Well, would Koudelka bother to warn you if you couldn't help? She must know you're not there, if she's telling you to go back. So, she must have some idea of the travelling times,"

"Yeah, I suppose you're right. Still…"

"You want me to steal a plane?"

"Would you?"

"I was kidding! But, okay. Now go and sleep, Alice! You need your rest,"

I knew she was right. It was gone eleven by the time I'd finished speaking with Margarite, but I still tossed and turned for hours, worrying about what was happening in Domremy.