Disclaimer: I own nothing you recognize.

The Second Chance

Chapter 7: Kira's Ally And Questions Answered

"Hmm what about this hairstyle? You always said you thought it was a pretty updo for a wedding." Kira held up a photo of a pretty brunette with her hair piled onto of her head, with little flower pins surrounding the bun.

"That does look lovely, but it looks too…strict. Maybe an updo but looser with loose strands in waves. I like the flower pins." Angela shuffled through the cut out of hairstyles, trying to find the person one to give to Enrique; the high society hair stylist she booked months in advanced for the big day.

"I think you found it! You'll great with that hairstyle. So what about for-"

"Kira can you go to the store and pick up something for dessert. Your choice." Kira was cut off by Chris as he entered the kitchen from the backyard where he was tending to steak on the barbeque.

"No problem, but be warned, whatever I pick up will probably end up altering everyone's measurements for their wedding clothes." Kira laughed at her mom's look of mock horror and grabbed her keys from the hook by the front door. "Be back in a bit! Don't make anymore plans without me!"

Ten minutes later Kira parked in a parking spot and got out, pushing the "lock" button on her car keychain. Walking towards the store entrance, she noticed a man struggling to take a shopping cart from the row. Stopping beside him she smiled.

"Do you want some help? I come here all the time, and have always had trouble with those useless things."

"That would be great. I'm having a family reunion at my house and apparently I need to buy out the entire store." They both laughed and the man stood back as Kira maneuvered the shopping cart.

"I know what you mean. My mom is getting married and I-" Kira widened her eyes as a cloth was positioned over her mouth and nose. Struggling to escape, the man behind her locked his arms around her and crushed her to his chest as Kira's vision tunneled.

Kira jerked awake, clutching her pillow as her eyes roamed the room. It took her a minute to remember where she was, and that her dream was a memory. A memory that she had apparently forgotten, and was roughly shoved front and centre in her mind.

"Bad dream?" Kira whipped her head towards the voice, and locked eyes with the woman from earlier. The woman had changed clothes and she was now wearing a long white off-the-shoulder dress.

"Who are you?" Kira tried to make her voice sound demanding, but the fear she felt made her voice crack.

The woman by the door arched a brow and smirked. Walking towards the dresser, she opened one of the drawers and pulled out a long red silk dress.

"There's a bathroom across the hall, clean yourself up. Oh and don't forget this." The woman said, holding out the dress for Kira, and ignoring her question about her identity. "You have thirty minutes." The woman walked out of the room, leaving the door open and walked down the hall.

Figuring the best thing to ensure her survival was to do as she was told, Kira walked to the door and peered out. There was a guard at the end of the hall; Kira's room was at the end, so the only way to freedom was past the guard. Walking to the bathroom across from her room, she shut the door and started the shower. Before she got in, she made sure the door was locked, and pulled out a drawer from the adjacent sink, making sure it was blocking the door as well. Looking around for cameras (there was none), and got into the shower.

There was a bottle of strawberry shampoo and conditioner in the shower, along with a bar of peach scented soap. Feeling like it had been days since she last had a shower, she spent a little bit more time getting clean. Twenty five minutes later, she got out and put on the red dress. It really was lovely; floor length, close fitting and incredibly soft.

Leaving her hair wet, she brushed it out and left it to air dry; knowing it would go back to it's natural curl.

Taking a deep breath to calm her racing heart, she pushed in the sink drawer and unlocked the door. Opening the bathroom door, she walked out slowly and screamed when she was met with a hooded figure in a long dark blue robe.

"H-hello." Kira laid a hand over her heart and moved away from the figure. The figure looked down the hall towards the guard and nodded his head. The guard nodded once and left his post, walking in the opposite direction of them.

Bowing his head in Kira's direction, he moved his hood back slightly. With his face visible with the exception of his eyes, he spoke to Kira.

"Do as she says, don't ask questions unless she says you can, and don't speak out of turn. The queen doesn't like that." The man moved his hood back into place and started towards the end of the hall.

Before Kira could fully process what he said, she moved forward and followed the mystery man down a flight of stairs. The staircase was lit by a huge chandelier that was hanging from the ceiling. On the walls framing the staircase were portraits of more people in hooded robes, important but evil looking leaders.

Once they reached the end of the staircase, Kira noticed what she assumed was the front doors. The hooded figure coughed and shook his head, discreetly motioning to the camera in one of the portraits, which was aimed at the doors.

Moving towards a long hallways opposite the front doors, Kira could smell food wafting from what she thought was a kitchen. At the end of the long hall were a set of glass doors. Pushing them open, Kira saw a long table; other hooded figures were standing around it, with the woman at the head of the table. The woman smiled upon seeing Kira and opened her arms. Not knowing exactly what to do, Kira slowly walked to the woman who wrapped her arms around her.

"You look lovely my dear." The woman smiled and gestured to a seat at the opposite end of the table. "Please, take a seat."

The women took a seat, and everyone else followed. Suddenly there was a flurry of motion; people came into the room carrying large platters with steam billowing up and large pitchers of drinks. The different aromas made Kira's stomach grumble and the woman chuckled. Motioning towards the food, the woman smiled and nodded her head in a "help yourself" motion.

Spooning some spaghetti and garlic bread on the plate that was set in front of her, she took a bite and sighed. Kira was starving since she had only eaten breakfast before she was kidnapped. Suddenly it dawned on her that she wasn't sure just when she was taken. Days and times had blurred.

"So Kira, how do you like the food?" The woman spooned some soup into her mouth and tilted her head, studying Kira.

"It's good. Very tasty." Kira twirled some spaghetti onto her fork and took a bite of garlic bread.

"I'm glad you like it. So I know you have questions. I'll answer all that you have." Kira looked up shocked, and looked towards the hooded figure who had spoken to her earlier.

The thought that this was a trick passed through her mind, but she did have a lot to ask.

"When can I leave?" Kira lowered her eyes, not wanting to see the humor in the woman's eyes for asking such a naïve question.

"When I'm done with you, and when I get what I want. If that doesn't happen…" The woman trailed off, leaving the ending to Kira's imagination.

"Who are you?" The woman stiffened and Kira thought that she had overstepped. Recoiling in her seat, she felt rather then saw the older woman clench the chair's armrests in anger.

Clearing her throat so she could get the young girl's attention, she smiled and leaned in.

"I'm Juliet's birth mother, and you're going to help me get her."

Author's Note: OK I realized I hadn't mentioned Juliet's mom at all, but I promise to explain that in the next chapter. Also I HAVE NOT forgotten about Juliet and the boys, I just wanted to focus on the other characters a little bit.