(Hey, guys..! I've made a return! I should probably start writing or I'm just gonna ramble on and on and on and on... Fine, I'll get on with it! Jeez, such needy people. XD)

"What?! No! Nuh-uh, not happening. Vikkie's coming with us. Right, John?!" Serana glanced over at John, who was looking up at the ceiling. He never was one for conflict, especially around someone who could basically kill you in a million ways with just a look.

"Hey, John..! Look at me!" Serana elbowed him sharply, causing him to instinctively look at her. "Ow! What? I was, admiring the architecture." Serana sighed. "Tell her that Vikkie's coming with us, or we'll take her by force-"

"Serana." John interrupted, putting a hand on Serana's shoulder. "I, think Vikkie should wait here... A-At least until we figure out what we're doing." He was half-hoping she wouldn't be too pissed off, but she already seemed like she was about to ram her needle into Tenenbaum and drain her like a raisin.

Serana glanced at John's hand, then at Tenenbaum, who was oddly silent throughout this whole experience. "...That sounds fair. But, if I so much as see a single drop of blood spilt from her. I will hunt you down. And skin you alive, 'Doctor'."

Tenenbaum nodded. "You have my word. No harm'll come to her. I'll keep her here until you decide what you want to do. Then she's all yours." Serana's helmet glowed a deep red, somewhat-showing her disliking of the arrangement, but not seeing an alternative option.

John couldn't really blame her for disliking... Tenenbaum created the Little Sisters, ergo creating the Big Sisters. But Tenenbaum is not the one to blame for that arrangement. He knew that one. "Alright. We'll be on our way the-"

"Hold on." Tenenbaum interrupted. "I shall save your little one. But if you come across any more, please. Try to bring them to me." Serana scoffed. "Do we look like your personal babysitters..?"

Tenenbaum shrugged. "I dunno. You were created to do such tasks for them, so it shouldn't be too much of a hassle."

John instinctively looked at Serana after that comment, whose helmet now glowed a Crimson coloring. Doc's playing with fire. "Look, how about we just-"

"Look, I didn't ask to be made into a monster here..! I never asked for any of this! But it happened. And there's nothing that can change it." Serana clenched her fists.

Tenenbaum nodded slowly, almost like she had planned that response. "Good, now. Imagine if you had that chance." She looked over at John. then back to Serana. "The chance to not be the monster... Save the little ones, then I can help them. They won't have to live the way you lived."

Serana debated for a moment. "Maybe... We have to discuss it, but. It's possible that we will."

John suddenly had a whole new respect for Tenenbaum. She was smarter than she was letting on... Or, at least it seemed so. "So, now can we please leave?"

Serana glanced over at where the little ones were kept. "...Think we should say goodbye?"

John groaned internally. He really wanted to leave before he ended up pulling Serana off Tenenbaum's corpse... "No. It's more like a, see you soon. Goodbye means they're gone. A see you later means they're not gone. Get what I mean?"

Serana tilted her helmet to the side. "...Uh, not. Really, no."

Tenenbaum started at John for a good while, nodding slowly. "Oh, a-alright then... You, may if you so desire."

Serana thought for a bit, before deciding not to ask. Yet. She'd ask him when they were alone. "Okay, I suppose..."

John smiled slightly. "Thanks, Doc... For, almost everything." He turned, walking over to where the little ones were, followed swiftly by Serana.

Victoria was playing with some blocks, before spotting them. She smiled, almost instantly running to them and attempting to throw her little arms around both of them. "Yay..! Big Sis and Big Bro're back! Are we leaving, now?! Are we going home?!"

John exchanged a 'look' with Serana. Hard to tell with the helmet on, but he guessed she had the same look he had. He hadn't thought of how to explain this... "...Erm, Vikkie. There's a, slight problem."

Victoria sighed heavily. "Big Sis made the Doc mad, didn't she."

John stifled a laugh, earning him what he assumed was a glare from Serana. Again, hard to tell.

"On the contrary, no. The doc made me mad instead, but that's besides the point." Serana huffed, crossing her arms.

John cleared his throat, suddenly feeling uncomfortable. "A-Anyways, uh. Vikkie. What do you say we, how do I put this..." He thought for a moment.

Serana knelt down to Victoria, uncrossing her arms in the process. "Vikkie? Me and John-or, I mean, Big Bro. Will have to leave. Alone. But we won't be gone long."

Victoria thought for a bit, reluctantly nodding, holding up her pinky. " Pinky-swear?"

John chuckled, intertwining his pinky with hers. "I promise." Serana couldn't help but smile... It looked kinda cute to her.

John eventually straightened himself. "Alright. Ready to leave now, Serana? Or do you wanna say goodbye to Tenenbaum while we're at it." Serana shot him a look, kneeling down to Victoria.

Victoria whispered something to Serana, Serana standing up afterwards. "To answer your question, John. Yes, let's leave. And no, let's not say 'See you later' to the Doctor."

John couldn't help but chuckle a little. He deserved that one. "Alright. Let's get going, then."

(Aaand so ends this chapter..! I've been getting a lot better with my schedule! Slowly but surely that is, but it's progress regardless! Anywho, see you guys in the next one!)