A/N: Just a reminder, this story is not a flashback to Arrhythmia. Aubrey had no contact with Julia after Disneyworld.

Something Better Someday

I'm like a kid who just won't let it go,
Twisting and turning the colors in rows.
I'm so intent to find out what it is;
This is my Rubik's cube.
I know I will figure it out.
- Athlete

Aubrey sat on top of her suitcase in the upstairs hallway, working hard to keep her lower lip from trembling. Surely, this was all to teach her some sort of lesson, and her father would be back any minute now, demanding to know what she had learned. Appreciation. She had learned appreciation for how things were supposed to be.

Below, Julia and Noah talked in the living room, but Aubrey could hardly make out what they were saying. She listened intently, trying to pick up on some key words, on anything that would tell her what was going to happen next. Because until she knew, she was going to sit on this suitcase and not move.

"You can hear them better from Danny's bedroom," Chloe said from Daniel's doorway.

Aubrey ignored her.

"There's a hole in the floor," she added.

A hole? In the floor?

"You can hear everything said in the living room."

Aubrey glanced at her. She did want to know what they were saying.

"It's true," Daniel whispered, appearing behind Chloe, "You just have to be quiet so they don't hear you." He looked at Chloe, who just rolled her eyes.

"It's better than just sitting there," Chloe said.

Aubrey could always come back to her suitcase once she heard what they were saying… "Fine." She stood up tall and followed them inside the room, watching as Daniel pulled back a carpet to reveal the 'hole'. It looked like some sort of air vent. The three of them knelt down and pressed their ears to the vent.

"- a lot of shopping," Julia said, "It looks like she barely came with anything. I can take off work for a week and get her adjusted."

Get her adjusted?

"What are you going to tell her?" Noah asked.

"The truth," Julia answered, "She needs to know she's staying, and I think she values honesty over nice lies."

No. That wasn't true. She was not staying here. They didn't know her father and how he taught them lessons. He was going to come back. He had to.

"I'm going to help her sort her suitcase, and see what she has," Julia continued, "Do you want to take Chloe and maybe find a bed? We can start turning her room into a room for two."

Aubrey shook her head. No.

"Chloe can pick out a few toys for her and some coloring books. I think they have similar interests."

Aubrey had heard enough. She didn't want toys. She sat up. If her father didn't return, she was just going to have to get herself home. Clearly they weren't going to help her. It wouldn't be the first time she had to find her way home.

Daniel and Chloe sat up, and Daniel pulled the rug back over the vent. "Sorry," he said.

"What kind of toys do you want?" Chloe asked.

"None," Aubrey answered, "I'm going home." She stood up and walked back to her suitcase, getting there just before Julia started climbing the steps.

"Hey, Chlo," she called once she was at the top, "Daddy wants you to go to the store with him."

Chloe leapt out of Daniel's room. "I have to get my shoes."

"Go ahead," Julia said, "Daniel, I need you to go outside and play with the dog."

"No!"

"Do you need to go with Dad too?"

"Oh my God!" Daniel stormed out of his room and down the steps.

Chloe practically flew out of her room, after retrieving her shoes, and ran down after him.

"Hey." Julia sat down on the floor, next to Aubrey's suitcase. "How are you doing, Sweetheart?"

Aubrey stared straight ahead at the wall.

"We gotta talk, Aubrey," Julia cut to the point, "I know that you want to go home where everything feels normal to you, but that's not going to happen. I won't sugarcoat it. You're staying here."

No, she wasn't.

"Normal parents don't drop their kids off with another family, especially not with strangers."

Maybe you're not normal, Lady.

"Why did you tell me you wanted to come home with me at Disneyworld?"

No. That wasn't fair. It wasn't fair to bring that up. It had been a stupid thing to say out loud.

"I asked you what you would want if you could have anything imaginable, and that's what you chose. Why is that?"

Aubrey didn't think it was actually going to happen! "I don't know."

"Yes, you do. Were you scared to go home?"

No.

"Home should be where you go when you want to feel safe."

Aubrey would feel safe there, safe from all of this. She closed her eyes and rubbed her forehead.

"This is a lot to take in, but you're safe here."

Aubrey was never unsafe.

"Everyone is going to be so nice to you."

Aubrey lifted her head. "My father is coming back, and he's going to take me home."

"He's not, Aubrey. If he tries, we're not letting him. We want you to be safe."

Not letting him? Aubrey blanched. She couldn't do that. That was kidnapping.

"You must have a lot of very conflicting feelings right now. Do you want to talk about them?"

"I do not have conflicting feelings. I want to go home."

"You have a vast vocabulary," Julia said, "Do you know compartmentalizing means?"

That was a very big word, and, no, Aubrey did not.

Julia waited a few moments, then kept talking. "It's when you take the feelings you don't want, and you put them into a box so you don't have to feel them. Do you think maybe you're trying not to feel those feelings you had at Disneyworld, because they're frightening and confusing now? And they conflict with wanting to go home? You know you can feel two opposite feelings at the same time, right?"

That wasn't possible. Aubrey shook her head.

"You can," Julia replied, "You really, really can. Can we open your luggage so I can see what you brought with you?"

Aubrey turned to look at her, wondering how she could smile and look sad at the same time – and not in the way Aubrey often had to smile through things she didn't want to.

"Come on. What if this is your only outfit? What if…you don't have any underwear? You'd have to wear the same pair for days."

Yeah right. Aubrey failed to believe that this lady would not provide her with clean underwear.

Julia's smile took on a slightly more amused air.

Fine. But only because clean underwear were a necessity. Aubrey slid down off her suitcase and kneeled next to it, unsure of what to expect when she opened it. Possibly nothing. Maybe it was empty. She reached for the zipper, then pulled it all the way around. Now or never. She flung open the flap to her clothes folded neatly inside.

"You have clothes. Good." Julia pulled out a red polo dress. "Are these your school uniforms?"

Aubrey nodded.

"Okay." Julia took out the other red and navy dresses, and placed them on the ground next to her. "So, just school uniforms," she mumbled, then looked at Aubrey's undergarments. "You only have white underwear and socks?"

"That's the color underwear and socks come in." What other color would she have?

Julia puffed out her cheeks and put the uniforms back. "Let's open the other suitcase. Maybe that has your other clothes."

"Like for the woods?" Aubrey said.

"I was thinking more for playing inside," Julia said, "But maybe those are in there too. We need to get you some beach clothes."

No, because Aubrey had already determined she wasn't staying. She unzipped the other suitcase and opened it up, her eyes growing at its contents. Her things were in there. Her Dixie Chicks CDs, some of her books, her doll, the Bellas sweatshirt that this lady had given her…

"You have toys," Julia said, looking at her doll, "Good. Those are important."

"It's not a toy," Aubrey denied. How were toys important anyway?

"Chloe has one of those dolls too. You guys can play together with them." Julia pulled out the sweatshirt and smiled.

Aubrey's cheeks turned rosy.

"Well, you have one every day shirt." Julia put it back, then reached to zipper the bag back up, and Aubrey quickly stopped her by reaching inside to grab her doll.

If she was alive, she would be scared and smother in there. Her hair was messy, and Aubrey quickly fixed it for her.

"What's her name?" Julia asked.

"Kit."

"Your friend."

Aubrey forgot that she had spoke of her doll as though she was a real person so this lady would believe she had friends. Why had she done that? She lifted her chin. "Most people would tell a kid that their parents are coming back."

"Do you want me to lie to you or sugarcoat the truth to make you feel better?"

No. Definitely not. Aubrey was big. She could handle the truth. Right? The truth of her father not coming back? "And they wouldn't keep kids they don't know." She stood up, then sat back down on top her suitcase of clothes.

"So, if you can't go home, who would you like to stay with?" Julia asked.

"Dolly Parton," Aubrey deadpanned, not completely joking. She seemed like she would be a good mom, and she would teach Aubrey how to sing better.

"Of course," Julia said, then asked, "Not the Dixie Chicks?"

"They have too much drama." Aubrey folded her arms and leaned back, purposely bumping the back of her head on the wall. Sit up straight, Aubrey. She sat up.

"Do you have other family?" Julia asked, "Family that's nice to you and makes you feel good? Grandparents, maybe?"

Don't rub your face; it's rude. Aubrey couldn't help it, and she rubbed at her aching eyes. This lady wasn't going to care if she rubbed her face in front of her. No, she didn't have other family that would want her to stay. Occasionally, she would be forced to stay with her grandparents – and the only words they every spoke to her were, 'Don't touch anything' and 'Everything in this house is worth more than your life'.

"Oh, you're sleepy," Julia pointed out.

No, she wasn't.

"Do you want to take a nap, then we can talk about this with a clearer, more awake brain?"

Aubrey dropped her hands to her lap. No.

"When is the last time you've had anything to eat?"

Awhile ago.

Julia tried to make eye contact with her. "Aubrey."

Aubrey looked at the space between her eyebrows.

"When did you last sleep or have something to eat? It's hard to think properly when you're hungry or tired, you know."

Aubrey could think just fine. It was just that she had been randomly dropped off at this lady's house, and she was trying to act like everything was normal and Aubrey wasn't some stranger that she didn't even know that was tripping her up. She was acting like Aubrey's father had kicked her out, when she was just a nine year old being taught an important life lesson. She was acting like she wanted Aubrey to stay. She couldn't just not let Aubrey go back home. She swallowed thickly at the thought. The thought of staying here forever. Nothing made any sense.

"Come downstairs with me, and let me make you something to eat." Julia stood up. "You don't have to want to be here, but you also don't have to sit in this hallway tired and hungry either. Bring your doll with you. We can listen to some music in the kitchen." She held out her hand.

Aubrey sat still.

"Come on, Baby Girl. I'll make you whatever you want."

How many times had Aubrey imagined holding her hand?

None, Aubrey. Zilch. Nada. Don't think about that.

But her hand was right there. "I'm sitting here until I can go home." Aubrey pulled her legs up to sit crisscross. Her chest ached as she watched Julia's hand fall back down to her side.

"Okay, well, you know what?"

Aubrey lifted her chin and waited for her punishment to be stated.

"In that case, I'm going to have to make lunch without your input, and I cannot guarantee that you're going to like it. And I really want to make something that you're going to enjoy. And I want to listen to some Dolly Parton while I make it. So I'm going to try this again." Julia held her hand back out. "I know you don't want to be here, but come downstairs with me and let me make you something to eat."

Aubrey stared at her hand again.

"I won't even look." Julia covered her eyes with her other hand.

No.

"I'm going to have to find my own way there with my eyes closed?" Julia reached her hand forward and fumbled for the wall. "You know, I might fall down the stairs."

She wouldn't. Aubrey watched her find the wall and slowly start walking towards the steps. On second thought, this woman was absolutely insane. Aubrey couldn't just, she couldn't just, she couldn't just let her fall down the stairs! Although it would just be Darwinism at its finest. But, no, she couldn't let her die! "Wait!"

Julia stopped and held her hand out to the side again.

"I'll go with you," Aubrey conceded and stood up, "But I'm not going to hold your hand."

"Then how am I going to find the stairs?"

What? "You open your eyes."

"Mmm." Julia shook her head. "I don't think I can."

"Yes, you can."

"How?"

How?! "You just…" Aubrey blinked, and tried to think of how to describe the action. "Yes, you can. You just do it."

"I don't remember how."

"Yes, you do."

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

"I think I might remember when we get downstairs."

Aubrey shared a look with her doll. I know she's crazy. And we're stuck with her. "How did my dad who you are? How did he know where you live?"

"I'll tell you downstairs."

Aubrey pressed her hand to her forehead.

"I promise. If you have questions, I will answer them – and all you have to do to get those answers is come down stairs and let me make you something to eat." Julia wiggled her fingers. "I think that's a really good deal. I mean, you get answers and food. That sounds like a win."

That was a good deal. It was too good of a deal. "What do you get?"

"Guidance down the stairs so I don't fall. And, if I'm making you food, I get to make myself food too."

She was still on the whole Aubrey leading her down the stairs thing.

"What is the worst thing that's going to happen if you hold my hand? Do you think I'm a hand monster that steals hands?"

What Aubrey thought she was was annoying, and really good at wearing people down. Why didn't she just tell her to do it? Why didn't she just say 'hold my hand now' and make her do it? Instead, she just wanted to stand here and let Aubrey choose not to. Why didn't she just grab Aubrey's hand and make her do it?

Julia opened one eye and looked at her. "Okay." She let her hand fall to her side again and opened her other eye. "But I would still like you to come downstairs with me so I can feed you and answer your questions. Will you do that?"

Aubrey did need answers. She nodded.

"Good. I think I might even have some ice cream for dessert."

xxxxx

Aubrey found herself situated on one of the tall stools at the island, and she hated that her feet didn't touch the ground. It was too tempting to kick her feet back and forth. Don't just run from temptation, her father always said, look it in the eye and defeat it. She crossed her legs at the ankles, and watched as Julia cut up pieces of cantaloupe into a plastic container. 'Healthy food' was what Aubrey had requested, and she was satisfied so far.

"Are you going to ask me your questions?" Julia paused her knife to glance over her shoulder.

Deep down, Aubrey already knew their answers. She had given this lady her parents' names, and this lady had done something to uproot Aubrey's life. She thought Aubrey needed help, that she couldn't take care of herself. And who could blame her after the scene Aubrey had caused? She caused this. There was one question she didn't know the answer to however. "Why am I here?"

"You remember how I told you that I help people?"

"I didn't need help."

Julia put the knife down and turned around, learning back in the counter. "Contrary to what you think, Aubrey, people don't let their nine year olds run around Disneyworld alone – no matter how mature they are. They just don't. It's not safe."

"I asked to go alone."

"Because you wanted to ride that ride?"

Aubrey nodded. Because she wanted to ride that stupid ride.

"And you had every right to want to ride that ride, and to enjoy it. And they should have enjoyed it with you – even if only because it made you happy."

That still didn't answer her question.

"I make sure kids are safe; that's what I do. And you being alone was not safe."

"So, you're doing your job." Aubrey could understand that. But that didn't answer why she was here.

"Yes and no. I called some people who I thought might be able to help you where you live, but your dad is a very powerful man who has a lot of connections, isn't he?"

Aubrey nodded.

"Yeah. So, I kept calling – and I can be very annoying and put up a fight." Julia turned around to continue preparing food. "I didn't expect him to show up and drop you off here. But I had time to think, and my husband and I decided we had room for one more if it came to that."

"So, you knew I was going to come here, just not right now?"

"It's a little more complicated than that, but, I definitely had hope."

"Why?"

"Because I want to make sure that you are safe."

"Why?"

"Because every kid deserves to be safe and loved."

"But why am I here?"

"I think you're a good kid who deserves good things." Julia dropped the knife in the sink, then carried the container of various fruit over to the island and placed it between them. She sat down, popped a piece of watermelon in her mouth, then rested her cheek against her hand, and looked at Aubrey. "Also, nobody else in this house wants to listen to Dolly Parton with me."

"So you stole me from my family?"

Julia breathed a laugh.

"It's not funny."

"I know, I know. I'm sorry. But does anyone in your house wanted to listen to Dolly Parton with you?"

"No." But that was besides the point! "You can't just steal kids because they like Dolly Parton."

"You can if you want to start a cult." Julia winked at her. "Do you know what a cult is?"

"Then why aren't there more of us?" Aubrey arched her brows.

"It's really hard finding young people who like Dolly Parton." Julia leaned back. "It's mostly old people. They're easier to kidnap, but they don't live quite as long. Are you going to eat? If you don't eat, you're not going to live much longer than the old people."

Aubrey folded her arms. Now she knew she was kidding.

"Actually, you wont even live nearly as long as them. Those old people have a good two or three years left in them. Without food, you have what? Two or three weeks?" Julia reached over and turned up the volume on the CD player. She paused, then sounded more sincere. "Did that answer your questions at all?"

Aubrey wasn't quite sure. Because, in all honesty, a Dolly Parton cult sounded more logical than just 'I saw you alone at Disneyworld and wanted to make sure you were okay, and, oh, now you live here'.

Julia pushed the food toward her. "I'm sorry, Sweetheart. I cannot imagine how this must feel to you."

One thing was for sure: no, she definitely could not.