"You will stay here now," Philippe gestured as he waved the sentry aside and opened the door. Cosima realized this is where Charlotte was staying. This felt older than Delphine's structure. The yurt was much smaller and had four cots. It was bare except for a wood stove, an oil lantern and a few pegs for coats. Was this where they kept prisoners?

"Cosima?" Charlotte sat up rubbing her eyes after the door slammed shut.

"Hey," Cosima smiled.

"Is everything ok?" Charlotte asked.

"It looks like we're bunk mates now," Cosima smiled not wanted to alarm the little girl. "Can I sit next to you?" Cosima asked.

"I heard shouting" Charlotte stated as she scooted over.

"Don't worry. It's Sarah. She's with Delphine," Cosima said idly.

"Delphine can make them better. She made me better, " Charlotte said with childlike confidence.

Sarah's appearance had been another shock. How long was she out there? Why did she come? Did she come alone? Was there a plan to get them all out of camp?

Cosima put an arm around Charlotte and silently pulled the younger girl into her side. Charlotte was growing accustomed to physical affection. And she snuggled into Cosima's embrace and they sat and listened to the bustle of voices outside.

Sarah's appearance had been another shock. Was she okay? Why did she come? Did she come alone? Was there a plan to get them all out of camp? If it came down to it could she leave Delphine? Could she stay and send Charlotte away to safety?

Often when her mind was cracking a puzzle she found herself reciting the periodic table. It was constant and did not change or offer up unexpected surprises.

Eventually Cosima's mind wound down from contemplating all the questions whirling around in her head. She yawned and pulled her legs up onto the cot.

-O-O-O-

After Philippe ushered Cosima out of her yurt, Delphine leaned over Sarah and began assessing her wounds.

"What happened?"

"Rachel killed Susan," Sarah whispered weakly.

"Don't speak," Delphine responded as she began removing her pants.

"Ugh!" Sarah groaned, "You don't sound surprised."

"Shhh!" Delphine commanded and removed the pant leg gingerly over her stab wound.

"She needs pain medication," Delphine barked. Two scientists rushed in and administered a shot.

"I came to get Cosima , the cure... is she...? Sarah pleaded.

"She's safe," Delphine whispered.

And then Sarah fainted onto the pillows behind her.

-O-O-O-

Delphine spent into the late hours cleaning and stitching Sarah's wounds. This included the unusual mixture of herbs wrapped in gauze that was used Delphine's gunshot wound. After she saw that Sarah was sedated and stabilized Delphine used Cosima's health as a pretense to walk across the camp and check on her.

Delphine was escorted into the yurt. She opened the door and found Cosima and Charlotte snuggled asleep together. Cosima was snoring softly. Her glasses were askew and one arm was wrapped protectively around her smaller clone. Delphine smiled as she watched the rise and fall of Cosima's breathing. She was getting stronger.

Cosima was adept at putting others at ease. It was her gift. Even in slumber Cosima drew strength from and comforted Charlotte. Delphine took a second to study their faces. And she wondered briefly what Cosima had been like as a child. Delphine leaned over softly and removed Cosima's glasses. She was careful not to nudge the sleeping scientist. She knew what a light sleeper Cosima was. And she needed all the rest she could in order to make a full recovery.

Delphine yawned after pulling the blankets lightly around Charlotte and Cosima's shoulders. She realized how tired she was and she knew Sarah would be sedated for a few more hours. She stretched and settled down into the cot across from Cosima's. She was counting that the other scientists would be as tired as she was and that no one would notice she was not in her yurt. At least no one would notice long enough for her to get some rest before seeing to her new patient. Even though Cosima was asleep Delphine felt comforted knowing she was nearby.

It was just before dawn when Cosima awoke. Everything was blurry and for a moment she didn't remember where she was. In a sleepy haze she thought the warm body snuggled into hers was Delphine's. Then she realized this form was much smaller. She fumbled around for her glasses and almost knocked over the stool in the process.

The noise made Delphine turn and murmur in her sleep. Cosima was relieved to see her. She slipped silently out of the cot careful not to disturb Charlotte. She tucked the blankets around her and laid a gentle kiss on the small clone's forehead. "Life," she thought to herself. "This young life was bound with so many possibilities and should not be anyone's experiment. I will fight Rachel to the very end if I have to." She thought.

Then she turned and stooped to her knees to watch Delphine sleep for a moment. She couldn't resist the temptation to finger a curl and gently wrap it around her finger. She remembered the conversation from that first night. "You will not be allowed to stay with here," the voice said. It was Philippe. Their time together was stolen. And Cosima's breath hitched in sentiment.

Delphine stirred and smiled sleepily to Cosima.

"Sarah?" Cosima asked anxiously.

"She's resting," Delphine assured her.

"She will be okay?" Cosima asked.

"Yes," Delphine said.

"We have to talk," She yawned getting ready to rise.

"Delphine. You are exhausted," Cosima said noticing the French woman's dark circles and pale complexion. She pushed her gently back onto the cot.

"Rest" Cosima coaxed. "For now," she added when Delphine began to protest.

"Keep me warm?" Delphine whispered surrendering to Cosima.

"Always," Cosima whispered back. Delphine lifted the blanket and the two of them jostled this way and that to snuggle close in the small cot. It wasn't comfortable but they had each other and that was re-assuring.