Okay this chapter is on the short side but I had some time today, thought that I would upload. Thanks muchly lipamo for the support! Take as you will. More to come soon. :)

Eyes cracking open, Carrie squinted at the light peeking in through the blinds, sat up slightly in the musty smelling bed. It was late morning, far later than she was used to sleeping, but she still felt groggy and disoriented. Looking around the room, confused, she realized she was in a crummy motel. Recognizing the wallpaper, she realized it was one she'd been in before. With some random guy from a bar down the street, an encounter from her not too distant past.

Rolling her eyes she sat up, tried her best to remember how she'd wound up here this morning, only to hear the door being unlocked, opened.

"What the...shit. Who's there?! Who-"

"Well. It's about time you woke up.", Ann smiled, setting a grocery bag on the small table in the corner, then a carry tray holding two coffees on the nightstand.

"What the...but I don't-"

"Relax. It's just breakfast."

Taking the coffee, Carrie bit her lip, then took a small sip.

"I'm glad to see you're up. Those drugs did a number on you. I was just glad I got you to the car.", Ann said, perching at the foot of the bed.

"It's all pretty hazy to tell you the truth.", Carrie said sheepishly. "Probably a good thing, right?", she scoffed, looking pained. Shaking her head Ann reached over, squeezed her hand.

"Listen, alright? How you were acting doesn't justify someone holding you down and someone else giving you that powerful a drug to settle you.", she said firmly, earning a halfhearted shrug.

"Look, if it helps Abby agrees with me. That's probably why she was so lenient about you missing group this morning, and you leaving with me last night."

"Wait, Abby knows?", Carrie asked.

"I called her this morning. Told her that I was responsible for getting you out. That I was horrified at what happened to you and took matters into my own hands."

"But I asked you to get me out.", she reminded. "I remember that."

"Well nobody else does.", Ann shrugged. "And nobody else needs to know. I just assume they blame me for everything. Ban me from the premises if need be. You shouldn't be punished more than you already have.", she said calmly as Carrie's chin wobbled and she looked down, away from her.

"Carrie..."

"How come you're being so nice to me?", she asked tearfully, getting a soft smile.

"I'm not that nice, dear. Just trying to lend you a hand.", Ann said simply. "Anyway, when I talked to Abby I told her the breakout was my fault. That those beasts in scrubs forced my hand. She believed me. Said that she'd issue you a three day pass because of it."

"Wait, what?", Carrie sputtered.

"It's also because your weekend pass falls at the end of your treatment. Normally those are issued halfway through. But you've been attending group, cooperating. She felt it was unfair you weren't issued it early on and she's trying to make up for it. And given everything that's happened, everything else going on...", Ann hinted, getting a nod.

"So you're saying I have three days."

"Yes. Starting today."

"Shit."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just. I don't know what the fuck to do first. I need to get a hold of Brody, but I know that Lauder was responsible for that blog."

"I'm sorry. Who's Lauder?", she asked curiously.

"He served with Brody, they were in the same unit. But he's had it out for him ever since his homecoming. He's a dangerous, fucking drunk too. The last time Brody crossed paths with him he almost died.", Carrie shuddered. "I knew that the fucker was looking to start a shitstorm with this story. Now I have to figure out a way to stop him."

"What about Brody? How's he going to feel about you trying to stop-"

"He's not going to feel anything if he doesn't find out.", Carrie said curtly, arching a brow. "I have three whole days. I'll find a way to get to Lauder, then track down Brody."

"Track him to where? I heard that he took off late last night."

"Heard from whom?"

"This morning I paid a visit to the woman who called you yesterday. Zahira.", Ann said, earning a frown.

"You're kidding. She was the one who..."

"Yes. I got her number at the hospital and contacted her at the community center. This morning after I called Abby."

"What did you talk to her about?"

"What I didn't get a chance to talk to her about yesterday."

"Did she give you any clue as to where Brody may have gone?"

"No. She didn't know herself."

"Well it's not as if I can't find him. I mean I know him better than anyone, aside from his daughter. I fucking studied him for a month. I can track him down! I just wish I had a solid lead. Something to go off of.", Carrie sighed, nibbling at a muffin before setting it down, cradling her belly.

"You will find him. I'm sure of it, Carrie.", Ann said, getting a half hearted shrug.

"I'm just tired of always having to find him. I'm sick of worrying about where he is, how he's doing. I did that for over a fucking year and almost lost what was left of my sanity. Then he took off at the cabin. Now this! Isn't this bullshit supposed to be behind us?"

"It will be. Soon enough.", Ann reassured as Carrie shrugged again, wiped her eyes.

"I hope so."

"Look, I think I know just what will cheer you up."

Checking her watch Ann smiled, got up and walked to the door.

"Frances? What-"

Hearing a car pull up, Carrie frowned, got out of bed and made her way to the window. Looked out only to see a familiar looking sedan in the lot, and a familiar person exiting it.

"Oh...oh my God.", she breathed, running onto the porch.

"Carrie? CARRIE!"

Smiling as she exited the driver's seat, shut the car door, Zahira moved to stand by Ann, looked on happily as Farrah all but jumped into Carrie's arms. Clung onto her tightly.

"I really, really miss you!", the girl sniffed, curling up on Carrie's shoulder as she nodded, held her just as tight.

"Yeah.", she choked out. "I...I really, really missed you too."