"Sara?" Ava reached out, squeezing Sara's shoulder, trying to call her back to the moment.

Sara's eyes were wide, flooded with fear. Ava wasn't sure she was breathing properly. She could see a sharp rise and fall of Sara's chest, too fast and jittery to be healthy.

"Sara," She tried again, willing her voice to reach her.

"We'll figure out something Rip," Gideon said, "We'll talk to some private investors. Ones with good intentions and not any white collar criminals,"

"Are there any good investors in this city?" Rip asked with a bitter laugh, "Even the Queens turned out to be corrupt,"

"Aren't you the one always defending the Queen name?"

"Yes. But that all feels for nought now,"

"This… this can't happen," Sara gasped, "We can't lose the center. We'll never perform together again… where else are we going to find this?"

Her voice was pitched with worry.

Ava took Sara's face in her hands, making her look at her, "Sara, breath,"

Sara gulped in a breath like she'd surfaced from the water.

The door to the closet was pulled open, Gideon standing on the other side one brow arched. Behind her Rip jumped to his feet, looking surprised.

"We can explain," Ava started.

"Tell me it isn't true," Sara said, stepping out and taking Gideon by the arms.

Gideon's expression morphed into one of pure sorrow,

"I'm afraid Ms. Lance, we can't tell you that," Rip said, walking forward and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"So that's just it, the centre is gone?"

"I promise we're doing everything in our power to stop that. We still have time before any actions will take place,"

"How long?"

Rip and Gideon looked at each other. Rip's expression was guarded and Gideon gave a small shake of her head.

"Rip, Gideon, please,"

Gideon sighed, "Five months. Six if we're pushing it,"

"There's a state law saying organisations can't own land, they can only be leased for a five year period. Our lease is up in five months. If we can't turn up $60,000 in by the time our contract expires then anyone can sweep in and claim this is they have the cash,"

"And a little birdy has it on good authority there are interested parties,"

"Gideon,"

"If we're telling them we might as well have full transparency," She said,

"Is this our fault?" Sara asked, her voice soft.

"What?" Gideon's brows knitted in confusion.

"The cost of redoing the sprinklers, are you in this much trouble because of us?"

"Sara, no," Gideon said in a soothing voice, "The sprinklers were only a fraction of the money we need. If there was a fire and the sprinklers failed then we'd be in even more trouble,"

"How can we help?"

"If you have 50,000 lying about, that would be wonderful," Rip said.

Gideon shot him a dirty look.

Sara felling into a seat with a thousand-yard stare.

"Sara, Ava," Gideon said, looking at them both, "What are you even doing here at this hour?"

Ava sheepishly held up her violin.

"Ah," Rip said, "I see,"

"See what?" Gideon asked.

"I allowed Mr. West and Mr. Jefferson to hide Ms. Sharpe's instrument in here. I saw it as the safest place to be, considering I couldn't convince them to pursue another course for their prank,"

Gideon shook her head and turned her attention to Ava and Sara, "Are you both going to be okay?"

"I… can we do anything?" Sara asked.

"We will let you know. We're working out our best options," Gideon said.

"Ms. Lance, knowing you, asking for your silence on this matter will be a plea on deft ears. Can I at least ask for discretion when telling your friends?" Rip asked.

Sara nodded, her expression numb.

"Do you girls need a ride? It's late and I don't want you girls out on the streets on your own,"

"I borrowed a car," Sara said in a monotone.

"We're okay," Ava said, wrapping an arm around Sara's shoulder. She was worried about how haunted Sara's expression was.

"Alright, ladies, you should be heading home," Rip said, opening the door for them.

It took a nudge from Ava to get Sara to her feet. They went back to the car, where Sara just sat behind the wheel for several minutes. She didn't turn on the car. She didn't say anything.

"Sara?" Ava finally ventured.

"Is it okay if I drop you home… I don't feel like going back to the party,"

"I… yeah. That's okay," Ava nodded, not really sure what else to say. Sara nodded in reply, starting the car. The ride was silent, other than a few moments Ava spoke up to give directions. When Sara finally pulled up in front of Ava's building it was the first time she spoke since she started the car.

"I'm sorry, but how tonight went,"

"It's… no, it's not your fault. None of it,"

"I really wanted you to enjoy yourself and then… things went to shit,"

"For the record, before I realised my violin was gone, I was having fun,"

"Yeah?"

"Yeah,"

Sara sighed, managing a small smile, "If the centre does go way, that might have been our last showcase party,"

"You can't think like that," Ava said, impulsively reaching out for Sara's hand, "Rip and Gideon said they're doing everything they can. You have to trust them,"

Sara looked down at their hands, making Ava realise what she'd just done. She pulled back her hand, blushing. Sara's smile looked a bit more genuine.

"Thanks, Ava,"

"Thank you,"

She hesitated for a moment before stepping out the car and bounding up the steps, clutching her violin to her chest. She turned back at the top of the landing, looking back at Sara and giving a wave before ducking inside.

The next morning Ana was fixing a cup of coffee for themselves when Ava came bounding into the kitchen.

"Hey kiddo, how was last night?"

"Kind of great, kind of a disaster,"

"Wow… okay, do you want to elaborate on that?"

"I was having fun. Until I found out my violin was gone, thanks to a prank,"

"What?" Their jaw dropped in surprize.

"But then, Sara, the friend I told you about, she took me to the center to get it back,"

"Okay, that's good,"

"Story's not over yet,"

"Oh?"

"Yeah, the center is in financial trouble and might have to close in a few months,"

"Wow… okay. All of that happened last night?"

"Yeah,"

"Busy night,"

"You're telling me. Which is why I wanted to catch you before you headed out to work. Do you know of anyone looking to support a non-profit?"

"Depends on how much support,"

"Fifty grand of support, give or take,"

Ana whistled, "That's tall order kiddo,"

"I know. I was just thinking if anyone would know…,"

They took a sip of their coffee, "I'll talk to some people at work, ask around if they know anyone,"

"Really?"

"For you? Of course,"

"Thank you," Ava gave her quick hug, before rushing out of the kitchen.

"Hey, have you had breakfast!" Ana called after her.

"In a bit!"

Ava went to her phone, texting Sara, 'Hey, I don't want to get anyone's hopes yet, but Ana's accountant at this kinda big firm and they may be able to get a name or two for Rip to talk to about funding'

'Funny you should mention that. I was going to follow my own lead. After I dropped you off last night I remembered I know a couple of people who might be able to help,'

'Really?'

'I'm going down in about an hour, want to tag along?'

Ava stared at her hesitating to write a response. She took a breath, closed her eyes and hoped autocorrect was working as she hit send.

'Sure.'

Nardragon~ until the next page.