The weeks went by and Edward got used to getting up at night to feed Nina and deal with her as a father in general. He was getting comfortable but something wasn't setting right with him. He didn't know what it was, but it all felt too… forced. It was like he was floating on rain clouds, bulging with rain but not able to release themselves yet. There was tension in the air but Edward couldn't figure out why. He had been sleeping on the couch most of the time, which was fine with him. Anything was better than the concrete or the wet ground or a bench. He would have preferred a bed like Roy had provided him with, but the couch was comfortable and fluffy.

He heard Nina cry out again and he sighed, getting up to make her a bottle when he saw a light coming from a door that he didn't know was there. He quickly made Nina's bottle and then picked her up out of the bassinette that was in Solaris and Will's room and put the nipple in her mouth. She sucked on it eagerly and Edward went to the door. He opened it and found a stairwell that went down. He didn't really think it was a good idea to go down them, but he was already wide awake and he didn't have anything else to do.

Edward slowly took the steps one at a time, hoping not to run into a squeaky one. It didn't take him long to come to where the stairs opened up into another room and he could hear the sound of tinkering glass and liquid. He decided to just sit on the stairs and listen instead of searching any further.

"You got it?" he heard Solaris ask.

"Yeah, I think this is it."

"Did you want to test it on something before we try it on him?"

Edward turned his head. Him who? he thought as he leaned over to look and see what exactly they were doing. He could only see the backs of the two and was surprised to see them in lab coats, the same type of coat that Shou Tucker wore all the time. He wasn't afraid of that since Roy told him doctors and people who help you wear those coats, but being in front of all the scientific equipment only brought back bad memories for Edward.

He stood up and started to head back up the stairs.

"Do you think he believes us?" Edward heard and stopped.

"How could he not? I mean, no one tried to claim him and no one even tried to look for him. How would he know whether we are or not?"

Edward narrowed his eyes.

"He's not stupid, Will, just mute. I'm sure he'll figure it out sooner or later."

"And when he does, we'll keep him here. We have to finish what he could not."

Edward was frozen to the stairs. He had had a weird suspicion about them for a while but he didn't think he was right! He had to get out of there… he had to find a way back to the people he knew. It would be a long shot, but he knew there was a way to get back to Maes or someone… He willed his legs to move and went back up the stairs. He shut the door softly and leaned against it, wondering what he was supposed to do. He looked down at Nina as she looked up at him. He had to keep her safe…

Edward tried not to let on that he knew that Solaris and Will were not really his relatives, but it was so hard when he could now see how overly hard they were trying to convince him that they were. He actually found it humorous to watch them fawn over him and dote on him when they could care less. Edward wasn't too keen on the approach but it gave Nina a home, food, and safety; and that's all Edward really cared about. He didn't care if they did something to him, just leave his little girl out of it.

Some months went by and Nina learned how to crawl around. Edward was watching her scoot across the floor one day when Will picked her up and Edward looked up at him. He gave Edward a very large grin and instantly, Edward was on alert.

"Hello, Edward." He waved a little. "Little Nina's getting bigger isn't she?" Edward nodded. "Solaris wants you in the bedroom. I can take care of Nina for you."

Edward stood up but held out his hands. Will made a face.

"What's wrong?"

Edward gestured for him to hand over Nina but Will frowned deeply.

"What's wrong with you? It's not like I'm going to hurt her?"

Edward made a face and reached over to grab her from Will but he pulled her away. Edward's eyes widened.

"I told you that Solaris wanted you in the bedroom. Don't defy me."

Edward looked at Nina, who was watching him, and swallowed. This did not sound good. He turned around slowly and walked to the bedroom, opening the door. Solaris was just standing in the middle of her room, waiting for him.

"Good, I'm glad you're here. I need you to do something for me, alright?"

Edward shook his head and went to get out when he opened the door and saw Will standing there like a guard. He began to breathe quickly in a panic as Solaris held out her hand.

"Come here, sweetie. Auntie's got a task for you."

Edward tried not to let his fear get a hold of him and walked shakily towards Solaris. He looked up at her and she smiled too kindly to him. He then felt something enter into his stomach and looked down to find a large syringe there. He pulled away and looked down at his stomach in confusion. He started getting faint and was losing his ability to stand up straight. He tried to catch the table but he missed and fell to the floor, watching as Solaris stood over him.

"If you can do it once, you can do it again…" she said, pulling the syringe from him.

Edward wondered what she was talking about as his eyesight faded.

Solaris opened the door and Will looked behind him. He saw Edward on the floor and made a face at her.

"What the hell?"

"He tried to get away but his hand slipped. Help me get him up so we can take him down to the basement."

"Don't you see I have a baby in my arms?"

"When did that stop you from doing anything? Put the kid down and help me get Edward to the basement."

Will sighed angrily and set Nina in her bassinette. He turned and helped stand Edward up so that Solaris could grab a hold of him. She began to pull him and Will went to open the doors.

"Do you think it will work again? I mean, Tucker was pretty close and it worked on Edward but we're looking for something a little different. Besides, I think that this was more a fluke than anything."

"From what I saw in Tucker's notes, he was missing a few things that would make it plausible for us. And it wasn't a fluke. It took really well to him last time, so if we can get it to take again, we can then proceed."

Solaris leaned over and sat Edward on the ground. She grabbed a shackle and put it around Edward's wrist. She wiped off the dirt and looked back at Will.

"There."

"What about the baby?"

"What's up with you and that baby?"

"Don't babies know when they are in danger and stuff?"

"I think you're getting your species mixed up. The kid is the key, so we have to keep her alive. Besides, she's incentive. We'll care for the little runt until she can walk and then we'll put her down here with Edward."

Will nodded and they shut the doors.

ah, dirty bastards! what are they going to do with our sweet edward? and poor nina. she's just in the crosshairs.