Reunion

"Fiona..."

It was Fiona. She was staring into Daniella's eyes, pity and compassion in her own. As Daniella's memories slowly returned to her, she wondered what Fiona would possibly be doing here. Was she even in the mansion anymore?

"It's okay... Don't worry, you're safe."

"Where's Poppy? Is he okay? He saved me again..."

Fiona smiled. "Your dog is right here. He's fine. He's a very nice dog. He reminds me of Hewie..."

Daniella reached down off the table she was on, feeling his fur, and pet him, relieved. This didn't make sense...

"Fiona... What are you doing here? It isn't safe... He's after me..."

Fiona's face changed to one of concern, worry flooding her features. "What? Who's after you?"

"The agent... the one that came to your house... He got injured, I hurt him... and now he's after me..."

Fiona interrupted her. "Wait, calm down... he's here?"

Before Daniella could answer, she heard a clicking sound, the door opened, and she saw a man enter the room. She vaguely remembered seeing this man before she passed out, asking him for help... and now that she saw him more closely, she could almost swear she had known him once. His face was covered in deep wrinkles, like cracks, but other than that... he appeared normal. He wore a brown suit made of some woven material, and carried a very old-fashioned gun. She was sure she must have seen him before, and wondered if he lived here. He had with him a dog, a White Shepherd, muzzled and on a leash. She recognized the dog at once as Hewie, the dog that Fiona had with her. He wasn't growling... but Daniella could tell it did not trust this person.

"Here you are, my dear. A little surprise from me."

He spoke to her so casually... but Daniella could sense that Fiona did not like this man. She looked at him with distrust, but then looked down at Hewie and held out her arms, a smile crossing her face. The other man slowly took the muzzle and leash off of Hewie, and the dog ran to Fiona, nearly tackling her. Fiona clung to the dog, sighing. Daniella heard Poppy whimpering, not quite sure what to think of this new dog. The man looked down at Fiona, raising an eyebrow.

"No thank you? I'll have you know I could have just left him behind."

Fiona looked up at the man, disgust in her eyes.

"Why would I thank you for what you've done, Riccardo? You expect me to be grateful? You make me sick..."

The man named Riccardo laughed, apparently actually amused by this. Daniella had no idea what he had done to her, but knew enough to get the feeling that there wasn't any humor in it. He came around to her side, running his hand along her neck. Fiona shuddered, but didn't stop him.

"Well, at least you're talking to me now. That's a step forward. It appears you've met our new patient. I found her in the hall. Are you feeling well now?"

Daniella nodded, getting off the table and standing up. She actually was feeling quite a bit better...

Riccardo, seeing this, walked over to the door, unlocked it, and held it open, fixing her with a cold stare.

"Good. Then get out."

Fiona gasped, but Daniella just slowly nodded again. Somehow, she knew that was coming... She looked down at the bullet wound in her leg, seeing it cleaned and gauze taped over it, and now remembering clearly what had happened. She knew what he had done for her.

Fiona attempted valiantly to defend her. "You can't make her leave! Somebody out there is chasing her! Riccardo, I swear, if you do this I'll never speak to you again..."

Riccardo snorted. "Her being here greatly jeopardizes both of our lives..."

Daniella shook her head, then actually smiled at Fiona. "No, it's all right... He saved my life. I understand... I have things I need to do anyway."

It appeared that Fiona and Riccardo both were surprised by her reply, and she called Poppy as she crossed the room, the dog keeping a lot of distance from Hewie, eying the White Shepherd warily. She made it to the door, but before leaving, turned to Riccardo, taking his hard, dry hand in hers.

"Thank you, sir. I am in your debt."

Riccardo just stood there, at a loss for words. Maybe he was even a little humbled. She walked calmly out the door, Poppy close on her heels. She knew she would have to face her fears sometime... better now than later. She heard the door close and lock behind her, and stepped out into the hallway. She smiled to herself. She knew that there was more to that man than he let on... and realized that, for some reason, she actually trusted him more than any other person in the mansion.