Another night in the lab. Dim, smelling of basement and cluttered with the tools of Walter's trade. It was to Peter, a place of uncomfortable familiarity. From the perspective of the uninitiated it could be as terrifying as a medieval dungeon, and this is where they brought traumatized victims. To say life wasn't fair was a monumental understatement.

Olivia was in the office conferring via phone with Broyles. Walter was engaged in what appeared to be an attempt to rearrange the entire filing system. Leaving Peter, alone with her.

The young woman was perched on a stool, cuffed to the table beside her. Olivia had thoughtfully draped a blanket over her wet shoulders. What she really needed was a hot shower, a change of cloths and to be somewhere else. Preferably somewhere more inviting than Frankenstein's laboratory.

Gene mooed softly from her stall. Peter noted that the woman was looking across the cow with that with that unsettling focus. There was a quiet tension in her body, reminiscent of the way they had first encountered her, yet she was still mentally present. Grounded in her own mind. That was Peter's impression as he watched her. Whatever had happened at Starlight Industries was not happening here. Gene, on the other end of this hypnotic stare, chewed her cud contently.

The woman shifted in her seat drawing his attention back to her physical being, he realized she was shivering, even in the relative warmth of the room.

"Can I get you something?" Peter asked.

She rattled the cuffs, her gaze never wavering from Gene. "Keys." she said simply.

"I was thinking coffee." Peter said. "But I'll see what I can do."

"You're afraid of me." She said without looking at him. "Maybe you should be."

The reflexive smile, always there, like a mask. "Why is that?" He asked.

She shrugged almost casually. "I haven't worked it all out yet." Her gaze settled on him, the way a predator looks at prey. "I'll have to get back to you on that."

In that moment, their eyes locked. Hers were deep pools, drawing him in. He didn't mind. It was easy to slip down, even pleasant. Dark, still and so very empty. He was free to drift. To forget. To wait. Something moved, sliding unseen through black waters.

She looked away, shutting him out. Peter took a step to steady himself as he was slammed back into reality.

The woman sat as she had before, her shoulders hunched under the blanket, staring at the cow. She wasn't what she appeared to be. Beneath that fragile exterior lay something powerful. It had brushed past him in the darkness. And it scared the crap out of him. Fear made his gut clench as he got away from her. He craved the closeness of another human being. A quick look at the office told him Olivia was still on the phone. His father would do.

Walter was at his desk shuffling through a pile of papers. Scientific notes, yellowed by years. His manner said he wasn't finding what he was looking for. His frustration growing with each unsatisfying page.

Peter glanced back at their prisoner. She seemed safe now. Just a scared girl. Whatever had transpired between them was like the memory of a fading dream. He fought for a moment to recapture it, but the effort caused it to slip farther away, leaving only the vague impression of something important, now forgotten.

"How's it coming, Walter?" He asked, forcing himself back into the moment.

Walter dropped the useless papers. They fell on the desk and the floor. "There is nothing here." His tone held tension turning to anger. Straining at the tenuous hold on what for him passed as sanity. "Something about this is so familiar. Why can't I find it?"

"What are you looking for?" Peter bent to collect the fallen sheets, "I'll help you find it."

"Don't you see?" Walter said, exasperated "It's not here." He swept at the pages on the desk sending more drifting to the floor. His hands went to his head, clutching his skull. "It's not in here, anymore."

Peter left off trying to clean up and straightened. He put a hand on Walter's shoulder, looking him in the eyes, willing him back from the abyss. "Walter, what's not here?"

"An explanation for what we witnessed tonight."

"You said she was a mind reader."

Walter nodded. "Yes of course, that's an elementary deduction based on her obvious insights. But it's hardly a satisfactory explanation of everything that transpired."

"You and William Bell did research into telepathy."

"Bellie and I did extensive research into the phenomenon." Walter was relaxing, returning happily to his disturbing past. "We were able to enhance telepathic abilities in promising subjects through hypnosis, sensory deprivation and drug therapy."

Peter went back to picking up the scattered papers.

"But even our best results were simple ESP." Walter continued. "What we witnessed between this young lady and the security guard was much more."

Perter said. "You described it as fixating." He piled the papers on the desk with the rest. "What dose that mean?"

"She was connected to him-to his mind. One consciousness to another." Walter was alive now. Vibrating with energy. "Her mind overpowered his."

"That's why he became frightened when he tried to detain her," Peter said, seeing the pieces fall into place. "He was experiencing her fear."

"A transference of emotion."

Peter's gaze went back to her. A moment ago, when he was talking to her, something had happened. His mind balked stubbornly, refusing to recall. She'd said something, No, she'd done something.

"Peter?" Walter said. "What's wrong, son?"

He realized his father was looking at him, worry furrowing his brow. Peter shook his head.

"Nothing." He lied easily. "You said, transference. The way one computer transfers data to another?"

"Yes, but I suspect that was not her intention." Walter continued eagerly. "More of a reflexive action, almost an act of self preservation."

"What do you mean?"

"She found herself in unfamiliar surroundings, without memory of how she had come to be there. Even her very identity was unknown to her. She was lost in the most profound sense of the word. When the security guard approached her it only added to her sense of panic." Walter was out of his chair. His eyes danced. "In a desperate attempt to free herself of these overwhelming, crippling, emotions, she poured them into the first available mind."

"Walter," Peter found himself smiling at his father's enthusiasm. "How do you know all this?"

"Such emotions and the desire to rid oneself of them is not unknown to me." All the joy drained out of him, leaving him old and etched. "Of course it's just a hypothesis. I need more data to make a proper diagnosis."

"You said this was familiar?" Peter pressed.

"I can't remember." Walter sighed bitterly. "The point is something about the abilities Sally is manifesting are familiar."

As was often the case with Walter, Peter had the sensation that he'd just parachuted in. "Who's Sally?"

"The young lady, Olivia, has manacled to one of my tables." Walter gestured impatiently in that general direction.

"Wait, Walter." Peter pointed at the unidentified woman. "You know her name?"

Walter followed his point and frowned. "Don't be silly, Peter. How could I know that? She's an amnesiac who is conveniently without identification."

Peter felt it, that familiar exasperation clawing at his already frayed nerves. He hadn't had enough sleep for one of these conversations.

Forcing patience, he tried again."You called her, Sally."

"When?"

Walter's innocent confusion caused Peter to bristle. "Just now."

"Did I?" Walter became thoughtful, his gaze on the woman. "She must remind me of someone. Perhaps it's the color of her hair or the handcuffs."

Somethings you really don't want to know.

Walter gave Peter a little smile. The conversation already forgotten, one of the perks of insanity. "Peter, would you be so kind to call Aspen?" he asked. "I require her assistants."

The ever misremembered name. Peter didn't have the energy to correct him. Instead he reached obligingly for his phone.

From across the room the young woman said. "Her name is Astrid."

Mind reader. Great. Just what every secret organization needs in their midst. On the other end of the phone he heard Astrid's sleepy voice.

Olivia slipped her phone back into her pocket. Through the window she could see Peter, his back was turned, now on the phone himself. Walter was busy preparing for something, hustling about the lab, his movements were animated with the excitement of new discovery. Mad scientist, she thought, it fit.

Her attention went to the woman she'd left handcuffed to the table. She was so young. Just a girl, really. What had been done to make her like this? Troubling spills of her own past came unbidden to her mind, things half remembered, half felt. Fears born of a childhood stolen, replaced with nightmares. Trust forever destroyed. And then another thought, even more troubling, what were they willing to do to do to this woman? How far would their search take them at her expense?

Peter hung up and turned to see her standing in the office window. He gave her a smile and started her way. She stepped out to meet him.

"Astrid's on her way." He said. "Everything alright?"

The concern in his tone was unusually sweet. She put her knuckles to her lip and shook her head not willing to say and ashamed she wasn't hiding her feelings better. "What does Walter think?" She said, clumsily changing the subject. "Has he come up with anything?"

"You know Walter, he has a theory." his look was probing but to her relief he left it alone. "What did Broyles have to say?"

"They took the security guard to the hospital." She said "He checks out fine. Remembers everything up to the time he intercepted her."

"We're calling her, Sally." Peter said.

"Why, Sally?"

Peter shrugged. "She reminds, Walter, of somebody named Sally."

"Sally McLoud." The newly minted Sally said.

They all moved her way.

Sally pulled her gaze away from the cow. "Walter went to kindergarten with her. Puppy love."

Walter's face brightened. "I remember now. She had the cutest little dimples." His voice dropped, becoming conspiratorial. "She shared her cookies with me."

"It's both sweet and creepy..." Sally rubbed her cuffed wrist unhappily. "And for what it's worth, I like cows."

Olivia gave her a tight smile. "That's good. Do you remember anything else? Like what happened tonight?"

Sally frowned, obviously annoyed. "I'm not remembering. This is all new information." She was watching Olivia. "You know what it's like. To be where I am." Her voice was rising."You know what he's going to do to me."

Olivia felt exposed. She did know. The growing terror in the girl's face was like a knife in her own soul. It had to be done. It was her job. She had to do whatever was necessary to uncover the truth.

"That's a freaking lie." Sally said, responding to the unspoken thoughts. "You know it. Peter knows it. But not him." She looked at Walter. "He has no idea."

Walter shrank, once again stung.

"It's going to be alright Sally." Peter said, moving closer.

Sally shot him an angry look. "Like hell it is."

"I will need to run some test." Walter said, sliding as he did into his old self. Cold and confident. "Brain scans. A chemical work up of her blood. Perhaps a sample of brain tissue..."

"Don't let him touch me," Sally pleaded. "He's a monster." The last was a sob.

Walter said, "She will need to be secured for the procedures."

Sally jumped up, shedding the blanket and knocking over the stool. The cuffs held her where she was. Her body shook. She watched them wide eyed, straining against her bonds. "I said no!. No drugs, no scans!"

Peter was close enough to touch her, she pulled as far away from his as she could.

"Stay away from me." She warned. Her eyes were glassy with fear, her breath panted.

"We're trying to find out what happened to you." Olivia kept her voice low, hoping to talk the girl down before they had to use physical force. "We want to help you."

Sally was having none of it. "The hell you do." She jabbed her free hand at Walter. "He's itching to pump me full of drugs and hook me up to some infernal machine. Just to see what happens."

"You misunderstand." Walter said. "I don't want to do these things to you. I have to do them...It's for science..."

"Keep telling yourself that." She swung her accusing gaze on Olivia. "You want to know if I'm part of the Pattern. This insane, alternate reality, Massive Dynamic, shape shifter, freak show you've committed your life to."

"So much for secrets." Peter said.

"I don't want your damn secrets". Sally jerked hard against the handcuffs, rattling things on the table."Stop screaming them at me!"

"Easy, now Sally." Peter soothed. He hadn't moved but Olivia could sense the tension in him. He was ready. "You keep this up, you're going to hurt yourself."

"That's almost funny," she spit. "I'm in for nothing but hurt." Trapped, she yanked harder, fighting the steel that held her. The heavy table shifted, something clattered to the floor. "Please, just let me go. I won't tell anyone." She was getting close to panic. Tears welled in her eyes. "Let me go."

Peter put a hand on her and she swung at him. He ducked the blow, catching her fist. She tried frantically to wrench free.

"Walter, what's the plan here?" He asked.

Walter was standing a little back, the violence seeming to paralyze him.

"Perhaps a sedative to calm her." He offered meekly.

Olivia nodded at him. "Good, Walter." She said, pushing him to action. "Do it."

He moved away to find what he needed.

"Stay the hell away from me!" This was nearly screamed. More things tipped and fell as she jerked back. Peter was holding her as she struggled against him, sobbing.

Suddenly Sally relaxed into Peter's arms. For a moment Olivia thought the girl must have fainted. But then Sally looked up at Peter. Her expression was eerily calm. Something was there that hadn't been a moment ago. Olivia felt the strength of it. Peter let go of Sally and stepped away.

Olivia asked. "Peter, what are you doing?"

Peter shook his head, his expression dazed.

Sally turned her way. Those cool, deep eyes lifted to meet her own. It's quiet here, Olivia thought. She reached into her pocket for the handcuff key.

Sally held out her manacled wrist, already showing the dull discoloration of bruising from her earlier struggles. Olivia's heart raced. She just needed to get away, then everything would be better. Get somewhere safe. She needed a chance to figure this out.

She was surprised when Peter's hand closed on hers.

"Olivia, what are you doing?"

Fresh panic leaped in her chest. She couldn't let him stop her.

"Olivia," He demanded again, forcing her back.

Rage surged in her. "Get out of my way!"

He didn't. His eyes were locked on hers. Olivia let the key slip from her fingers. With Peter's hand like a vice on her own, she tried to reach for her gun.

"Liv," he said sharply. "You don' t want to do that."

She did. Her free hand balled into a fist and she took a short step back.

"Alright." he said turning her lose and raising his hands in surrender. "No one needs to get hurt." He looked away from her, across the lab. "Walter, do you think you could hurry it up?"

"I'm going as fast as I can," Came Walter's curt reply.

Olivia felt a wash of relief as she bent to retrieve the key. She was going to get away without killing anyone. The realization of how close desperation had driven her to it was chilling. As she straightened Peter turned to Sally and smacked her across the face.

It was like stepping back into her own mind. Olivia looked down at the key in her hand then back at Peter. The implications of the last moments flooded in. New memories were there, carved into her brain. Mingled with thoughts and feelings that were not her own. Peter, she could have shot him.

"Walter, now would be a good time!" Peter shouted.

The sound of voice brought her back. She realized Walter was standing beside her, hypo in hand.

Sally looked to Walter. She was trying to do it again.

Peter lunged, grabbing Sally from behind, breaking her focus. He pinned her free arm, holding her tight as she struggled wildly. If she hadn't been manacled to the table she would really be giving him a work out. As it was she trashed them both against the table. Things crashed to the floor around them.

"Walter! Now!"

"She must be still." Walter snapped. "I need to inject the sedative directly into a vein."

Peter said. "Olivia, a little help, please."

Olivia was standing there, watching, without thinking.

"Olivia!"

That got her moving. She sidestepped the woman's flailing legs and together they forced Sally to the floor. She whimpered, her strength exhausted.

"Where, Walter?" Olivia asked.

"The arm will do."

As Olivia pushed the sleeve up she found Sally's eye's on her. There was no pull this time. Just a look of hopelessness like a fading light.

Walter knelt beside them and felt for the vein, pulsing in the girl's arm. "I'm sorry, my dear." He said.

Sally tensed at the bite of the needle. The fight was over. In an instant Walter's chemicals flooded her blood stream, overpowering her. Her eyes rolled back and she went limp against Peter.

"Well, that was fun." He said bitterly. "Maybe for an encore we could drown some puppies."