A/N: New chapter, more speech. Thank you for the reviews so far, they're greatly appreciated! More are also greatly appreciated...
"We literally become what we do, not what we've done or will do. We're best defined by our actions in the moment." (Bennett Halverson, Epitaph Two)
Over a year passed. The new world was taking shape, though not without its great share of obstacles. Adelle, Michael and Camilla returned to LA.
"I can't believe I'm back in this place again. It's crazy," Michael said, as he drove the last distance.
"It's different now," Adelle told him.
"Yes, but... memories. And they're not exactly doing a spectacular job of rebuilding the place here."
It was true, the city was still one of ruins. But people lived here, governed, and they had shelter and food and clothes. An economy was being established. They were on their way.
Cam, squashed between them on the front seat of the van they had commandeered for this task, yawned and stretched, lifting her head from Adelle's shoulder. The spot where it had lain felt cold.
"Are we nearly there?" the young girl asked.
Michael laughed, patted her knee. "Awake now, are we? Sweet dreams? I've been driving for hours." He glanced at her for a second and grinned. "Not far now, girl."
"Okay." Cam pulled her legs up onto the seat, and snuggled back against Adelle, who regarded her for a moment, then lifted a hand to brush the hair out of the child's face. Cam smiled.
"I'm looking forward to meeting your friends," she said.
"Yes..." murmured Adelle. "Let's just hope they're looking forward to meeting us."
A few minutes later, they rounded a corner, and there, in front of them, was the Rossum building, unchanged from the last time they saw it. Adelle gazed - just a second too long, Michael thought - at the blown-out windows of the top floor. Then she flicked her eyes away and squeezed Cam. "Right," she said, "let's go."
Michael parked the car in the deserted area. The debris had been cleared away, but no rebuilding had begun in this section. The three of them climbed out of the van, Cam yawning and stretching.
"I remember it here," Cam said. "It doesn't look any different."
Michael put his hand on her shoulder as Adelle walked towards the doors of the building. As she reached them, she looked back over her shoulder, her long dark hair glinting in the sunlight. "Are you coming?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Michael hesitated. But Cam took his hand and pulled him forwards. "Come on, Michael, you wimp. There's nothing to be scared of in there."
They entered the trashed building and began to make their way towards the sealed entrance. It was dark, damp and cold, and Adelle thought she heard the scurrying feet of rats. Thankfully, she thought, Cam did not seem to have heard the movements – the girl, despite her big talk, had a mortal fear of the animals. Ever since an unfortunate incident early in the recovery process...
"We're here," she said.
"Here? A... trapdoor?" said Cam.
"Yes, sweetheart. What were you expecting?"
The little girl folded her arms and frowned. "Something a bit more impressive."
Adelle laughed and crouched down, reaching out to lift the door.
"Addie, wait," hissed Michael, grabbing her shoulder.
"What?" she exclaimed.
"What if it didn't work? What if the reset still reached them down here? What will they..."
"Are you scared, Michael?" Adelle asked, smirking playfully. "There's nothing to worry about. Even if they have been reset. In which case I expect they would already have left. Now, come on."
He scowled. "I'm just saying we should be wary, that's all. It's been a year – who knows what could have happened?"
"Relax, Michael," she whispered, opening the trapdoor. But privately she was worried. She wasn't exactly sure why, but... she was nervous. About seeing Echo again. About being in the Dollhouse again. And, of course, there was the possibility that they were all dead.
She grasped the rope and slid down it. The sound of her feet hitting the floor echoed around the open space. Above, Michael helped Camilla onto the rope before sliding down himself.
"Wow," breathed Camilla, staring around the brightly lit room. "This is impressive."
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Don't move! Stay where you are." The little group turned slowly to see a young, dark haired woman step out from one of the corridors, pointing a gun directly at them. Cam gave a sharp intake of breath and Michael instinctively moved in front of her.
But the gun was lowered almost immediately.
"Adelle?"
"Echo."
A/N: So the chapter ends there mainly because I thought it was getting too long in comparison to the others so far... it's not much of a cliffhanger, I know. And no Topherness in this either... Next chapter, there will be. So... thoughts?