Hey guys! 🌊 🌊

So here's another chapter! I'm leaving for a distant land in two days, so I'll try to get another one out before I go.

I hope you like it. Please review xx

Nine POV

I come back from the gym, sweaty and disgruntled. My shirt is sticking to my back and I'm aching for a shower. I pass Ella in the hallway, headed for the roof. She often likes to spend time up there, I think she misses the sun. Sometimes I join her, not today.

I crank the taps on and lukewarm water spills out. It is enough. After a quick shower I head in to the office, doing general checks for any security breaches or attempts at communication. The computers are going crazy. They're detecting all sorts of weird shit coming from Six's room. What is going on with that girl? I used to know her, but now I barely recognise her at all.

Just what is going on in Six's room? The security camera reveals her calmly lying on her bed, humming. Always humming. I alter the algorithm on my computer, searching for specific 'weird shit'. It reveals that there are traces of Mogadorian technology scattered all around her room, specifically on her laptop. That old thing still works? Where did she even find it?

Something doesn't feel right, I know that Six spent a while in Mog territory – 2 years – but that doesn't explain the odd signals coming from her computer. This ends now. I leave my office and head down the hall, tracking her from her room to the kitchen.

"Six, what is going on?" I ask

"What" she gives me an odd smile

" You've been barely yourself and now I'm detecting traces of Mog technology coming from your room!" I yell, unable to contain my anger

"I, but.."

"Is this the thanks we get for saving you? Is this what we get for giving you a home? I don't even know you anymore! Where is the old Six?" I scream at her, engulfed by fury.

"You don't even know"

"What?" my anger subsides, slightly

"They did things to me. The touched me"

"That's no exc-" I begin, but am cut off by Eight

"Give her a break man. You're going way too hard on her. She's been living at that base for two whole years, of course there will be traces of Mog. Just, chill" Eight intervenes

"Two years? Is that how long I've…?" Six bursts in to tears and crouches on the floor.

Marina steps up "Nine, this is not the way to treat a friend. We've been trying to heal Six and you're not helping. At all". She engulfs Six in a hug.

Eight turns to face me, "Just, go for a walk, we'll see you later."

All eyes are on me, and I look back at Six, stunned that she broke down. But she isn't crying anymore. Not crying at all. She's smirking at me, a mischievous glint to her eyes. Why that little… I can't be here right now. I head for the elevators.

I'm done.

Ella POV

After the escapade in the kitchen, I knock lightly on Six's door. I've never seen Six so upset, I wonder what really happened at the Mog base. I hear no response, so knock again. The doors swings open, revealing a guarded Six.

"Oh, I'm, sorry, I… thought you might have been" she mumbles.

"Say no more, Six, we're all so worried about you. Can we just, talk for a little while?"

"Oh" her flat tone is foreign to me "sure, come in".

She moves to her bed, sitting down and gesturing for me to join her. I remove my shoes and sit next to her, Indian style. There is a pregnant pause.

"So, how are you Ella? I haven't seen you in so long." Six begins.

"I'm great!" I try to inject enthusiasm in to my tone "the escape mission worked well and next week we all start school again!"

"School?" her face pales.

"Well, sure! I mean, a couple of months ago this state official came around and said that since we're all under 18 years old we have to go to school now. So, I guess you'll go too!" I chirpily reply

"Huh"

I wonder if I've gone too far. Would she even be going to school with us? I hope so, it might be a nice way for her to transition back in to a normal life. Well, as normal as possible for us. And the school looked so nice in the brochure. It looked nice, but…

"Can you keep a secret?" I venture

She looks up, surprised, and hesitantly nods, "Only if you'll keep mine"

"Swear? Swear on your life!"

"Okay, okay" she cracks a smile.

"I'm really actually dreading going to this school. I've never been to one. What is school even like?"

She giggles for a minute. I tilt my head back, I've never seen Six giggle before. She takes a breath before responding.

"Don't even worry about it, an awesome girl like you will fit right in. You'll make lots of friends…" she lingers on the last word, looking solemn

"But?" I draw out the word in to two syllables

"You'll make lots of friends. And you'll keep none of them. That's the way it works for us."

"But I'll always have you guys" I reply, trying to keep the mood light

"Can you keep my secret?" she asks.

"Of course! What are friends for?"

"The reason I'm backing off is because of Sarah. I saw her at the Mog base, and I'm really confused about why she's here. I'm scared they'll come for me." She offers

"What! We have to tell John right away. We-" I intervene

"NO!" she almost screams, "you promised you'd keep my secret" she continues, more calmly

"But Sarah is here and she might have been working with them!" I reply

"I don't know exactly what happened in the base. They messed with my mind. I could be wrong. I'm sure Sarah is fine. Just forget that I even said it" she convinces me

"Yeah. It's fine. I mean, Sarah's here to stay. I'll always have all of you guys." I feel much better at Six's explanation.

"Maybe" she considers "Nothing is permanent"

"Six, I-"

"I'm sorry, Ella. Could you leave me alone for a little while? I need to think."

"Okay". I get off the bed, and leave the room. Once I've closed the door I remember that I left my shoes in there, but it's too late to get them back now. I'll try again later.

John POV

Eight came and told me what happened with Six this morning. I can't believe that Nine would ever push her so far. His attitude is never helpful, but in a situation like this…

Speaking of, I need to get this page translated. Maybe it will help us discover what really happened to Six, since she's so tight with information. I spend an hour on the program and start it. In 48 hours we'll know something, at least. But when did she acquire this page? Did she steal it? Or is it hers?

So what do you think? Do you like the direction this story is going?

What other fanfiction do you guys read? I'm thinking of starting another story 🌊 🌊

Any ideas where we want this one to go? Review (please). 🌊🌊🌊