The heavily chaperoned ride back to the hospital was very stiff and uncomfortable for Ellen, as Dr. Lowell sat across from her, glaring.

"Well," Ellen spoke to break the stony silence. "At least I didn't do the Baby thing and resort to violence." God knew she wanted to, though. Things had sadly deteriorated on the show and she'd made an enemy of Morris Green, who would go on to be one of the most outspoken of her denouncers. Good thing that, his efforts to the contrary nonwithstanding, he wasn't nationally known. Or even known statewide, she thought snidely. However, there was no way in hell she was gonna let some pig like him talk to her the way he did.

"Only just barely," came the sardonic reply. "This hasn't helped you at all. I just don't understand you at times, Ellen."

"Hey, I did what was asked of me, and Baby didn't come out to play. That means I'm in control, and excuse me but would you let that slimeball talk to your sister that way? Honestly?"

After a few seconds he replied, "I guess I wouldn't." Sighing, he adds, "You operate on your own wavelength, don't you? I don't see any of the murderess contained in your police files yet you have a underlying strength that amazes me. What posesses you to do some of the things you do?"

"Trying to analyze me yet again, Lowell," she smirks at him.

"You fascinate me." At her raised eyebrow he reiterates "No, I'm not pawing at you like that Morris Green idiot. Dr. Branigan wants your speedy return to our facility...and so do I."

Ellen gives him a genuine smile. She cared for him and Branigan a lot and began to alter the little plan she'd been forming in her head.

Good news: Ellen gets to return to the Ruggsville County Medical Center.

Bad news: New Sheriff Polanski gets her brought to court. Backed by newly reinstated Deputy Dobson. The reason: to decide if she should be charged with crimes she has no recollection of by a person she no longer is.

Come on girl, she told herself. You can do it, hussbucket! Yeah! Put one foot in front of the other! Carefully she did so, managing to walk across the physical therapy room before being caught by Grace, who shared her elation at her achievment.

Ellen became somewhat of an artisan, designing pottery, jewelry, and baskets in her spare time, a bit of a departure from her old self's interests in torture, murder, and dancing. She sometimes wished she had Baby's grit and optimism, in fact she sometimes found herself admiring her fortitude. She went out like the free spirit she had been her whole life.

And then woke up as Ellen.

Well. Ellen wouldn't just take shit lying down either, but she would have to fight with different weapons. Grace's dark grey eyes registered the older woman's joy at Ellen's feat as she helped her to the wheelchair. "You're gettin stronger day by day," she remarked. "Why, you'll be outta here in no time, and on the television, no doubt."

"Hey Lance," Ellen greeted the tall, slim man. She was in her wheelchair in her room waiting expectantly. "Glad you came to see me."

"Anything for my biggest fan," he responded. His pale blue eyes showed his happiness at seeing her. She was wearing what Branigan dubbed her 'gypsy gear', broomstick skirt, peasant blouse and large bangles. He was dressed more casually this time in a button-up shirt and jeans. His lean arms were tanned; he must spend a lot of time out of doors. Wonder how he found the time, being a newscaster and all.

"There's some things I have to ask you, but I don't know how."

"What is it, Ellen," he asked, expression troubled. "Just tell me."

"Well, I need to know how involved you are with that Eve Grant chick..." The orderlies paid little mind to the pair's furtive whispers. As long as nobody was causing any trouble they didn't care.

The courts decided it would be unfair to prosecute Ellen as she didn't exist before the effective 'death' of Baby. However, they were conflicted about what should be done with her since the potential exists that she could regain her memory at any time and become her old self again. Which would be total murder and mayhem. A lobotomy was suggested that would keep the violet impulses at bay, but there was the risk that she could be reduced to a mental vegetable.

Naturally, she wasn't happy with that. A complete evaluation of her was ordered, and the question of her fate was be explored at a later date. Ellen stared at officer Dobson, wishing that she or Otis or her late father had killed him in the shootout.

The time to act was drawing near. Messages were sent to her supporters in the Baby Firefly Preservation Society. She redoubled her efforts to walk and was able to unassisted for short distances. She spent much time with Dr. Branigan, who'd become a second father to her.

"Hey doctor," she told him one day.

"Yeah?"

"I'm gonna take me a walk."

"All right," he replied, guessing what was coming. "You'll be monitored as usual."

"Oh, and I think I'll take a walk."

"Sure, Ellen."

She raises herself out of her chair and takes a few steps. "Dr. Branigan, I might go for a walk," she giggles.

"Ok. While you're up, why don't you go take a walk?"

"Sure thing," she laughs, walking out the room and out of his life, though he didn't know it yet.

People were waiting when she made her wobbly way outside to the courtyard; they were from the Baby Firefly Preservation Society, and they were armed. Popping from behind benches and bushes they had the guards and orderlies at a loss, having them put their hands up. Lowell had been watching from the window and came rushing out as quickly as possible waving his arms and panting. "Ellen! No, don't do this! Not this way," he pleaded. Ellen told her cohorts not to shoot him. "We could get you outta this."

"No, we couldn't. They're gonna slice up my brain, doctor," she told him calmly. She grabs him by the arm and pulls him out of sight from the top windows.

"Ellen, no. Please," he hisses, dark eyes full of hurt. "You can still do this legally, the right way."

Ellen shakes her head, her curly hair down to her ears now bouncing. "There ain't no right way to get out of this, doctor," she tells him. "I have to get away, I can't stay in my cage any longer. Come with me," she held her hand out to him.

"Are you serious," he squawked.

"You're fraternizing with the most dangerous criminal in the state. Doctor. Think about that. Come with me. Brother." Breathing heavily he looks down at the ground, then at Ellen's hopeful eyes. Then he took her smooth, slender hand.

They were bundled into a car and were speeding off, Lowell glancing back at the hospital and his former life receding into the distance. Ellen smiled at him, still grasping his hand. "So...what're we doing," he asks, glancing around at all the hippie-looking people in the car with them.

"We're gonna get Otis," she replies. "Then we're gettin the hell outta the country. Go to Mexico for a while and let the bullshit die down."

The psychiatrist stares at her for a few moments. "You are fucking crazy, girl."

"Izzat your professional opinion, Dr. Lowell? Or maybe I should call you Fred." The car made its way to the Spring Hill Medical Center. When they got there they found the Capital Punishment Abolitionists picketing like crazy, having set up a noisy demonstration.