Author's Note: This is based loosely upon an idea a friend and I formed whilst watching the scene between Eunice and the Monsignor when she's packing away Sister Jude's belongings to be donated to charity, and she tells the Monsignor she'd help him get to Rome, via any means possible/necessary.

Disclaimer: I own nothing, everything belongs to Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and the FX network.


Several weeks had passed and Sister Mary Eunice was back up on her feet, working as usual. Sister Jude had been keeping a close and watchful eye over her, she did not want the young nun to over-exert herself, and Dr. Arden saw that she did not. The young blonde was just overcoming the normalities of the nausea that had haunted her since the very early stages of her first trimester, and she had finally regained the weight back in her face after it had drained, leaving her gaunt looking, yet now she was glowing once again, almost angelically, a reminder of her once effervescent, pre-possession self.

As she bustled about the common room, tidying away books and chess pieces, Sister Jude entered, that God-awful whistle piercing the din of the patients and orderlies alike. Sister Mary Eunice had grown accustomed to its shrill toot by now and did not pay too much attention toward the signalling for attention. With her back to Jude, Mary Eunice did not even glance over her shoulder but nodded to the nearby patients to listen to the Head of the institute.

"Listen up, one and all! I have an announcement to make..." Jude spoke up, "I trust you all to be on your best behavior now that our beloved, and trusted Monsignor Timothy Howard has returned to us, here at Briarcliff." she smiled, glancing around the patients, nodding and giving a short chuckle.

It was then Sister Mary Eunice was thankful for the lose, somewhat tent-like habit. As soon as Sister Jude had announced that the Monsignor was to be there, visiting once again, she had straightened, yet kept her back to her direct chain of command. Closing her eyes, Mary Eunice inhaled deeply and willed herself to glance over her shoulder. As she continued glancing past her peripheral, turning her head slightly over her right shoulder, she frowned. Jude and the Monsignor had left already? Satisfied, she turned back to the bookcase.

"Sister..." came the familiar voice before her.

The blonde gasped and stared wide eyed to him. She had not been so lucky. Jude had resigned back to her office, leaving the Monsignor to console with the familiar patients. He, of course had headed over to Sister Mary Eunice, finally bereft of his guilt. Tucking her hair back under her wimple, Mary Eunice blushed and averted her gaze to the tattered books and comics that lay in no particular order on the shelves between she and Timothy, "Father. You startled me..." she stated, her tone was sweet, melodic before she cleared her throat, "It's...so wonderful to have...you back with us." she nodded, stiffening for a moment as an unannounced bout of nausea swept over her fleetingly, before it was swept away just as swiftly.

"And, likewise, to see you back on your feet, Sister. Continuing God's great work." he nodded and smiled, it seemed forced yet sincere. He was still not quite sure of whether he could trust Sister Mary Eunice still. Though, his next act spoke otherwise; he tenderly reached for her hand, his scars were now heeled and he did not need bandages, "I must say, Sister...Mary Eunice...the Almighty Lord heard my prayers for you. For, your recovery was one in...record timing." He smiled now, more genuine, "Doctor Arden was very concerned, he made his views about a visitation rather clear to me."

Glancing between Timothy's hand upon hers and his face, Sister Mary Eunice paled slightly as she stared at him. Had Dr. Arden revealed her secret, about the infant she was nurturing within her? He had promised her that he would not discuss her pregnancy with the Monsignor. Pulling her hand free from Timothy's, Eunice swallowed and once again, averted her gaze to the books, "Excuse me, Father...I must continue my work..." she glanced to him briefly, her brows raised in a semi-plea for him to leave her.

"Very well, Sister..." the Monsignor responded, turning to leave her to her work. He stopped and returned back to his place before her, "But, you should know how...guilty I felt after the...after I was responsible for your extended stay in the Infirmary." He exhaled, shaking his head before he continued, "And to visit you, only to cut short our conversation. It is I who should be asking for forgiveness, not you, my daughter."

My daughter.

Instantly, her mind whirled. Was this child she was carrying to be a son or a daughter? She felt faint, and had to grasp at the bookcase to steady herself. Sighing, Sister Mary Eunice smiled, "No, Monsignor, you did more than enough. I know how...difficult it must have been for you to even remain here, after everything that happened to you...but..." she bit her lip momentarily, "Please know, I forgave you, the moment I woke and saw you at my side."

Nodding once more, Timothy finally closed the conversation, "I will be joining Sister Jude and Doctor Arden for dinner this evening, please...join us." Timothy invited her before giving one last glance over her, finally turning away and leaving to speak with Sister Jude, ready to be informed of happenings in his absence.


Later that evening, Sister Mary Eunice has been granted an hour's earlier leave from her duties, and she found herself in her quarters, alone. She had politely declined the offer of sharing dinner with Arden, Sister Jude and the Monsignor, it would not have felt her place to be if she had joined them, drinking their fine Cognac and eating their quail and parsnips. Sister Jude understood though, she had been wonderful, and knew the lock-up was no situation for any expectant mother to find herself part of.

Sighing shakily, Sister Mary Eunice glanced around her room before she moved to her side-table, collecting the beaded rosary and her prayer book from the drawer. Setting the two on her blanket before she sat and removed her shoes and stockings. Standing, Sister Mary Eunice then turned away and gently removed her wimple before unclipping her hair. Eunice then proceeded to remove the woollen belt from around her waist before taking a moment. Slowly, she unclasped her habit and stepped out of the black material, folding it carefully and placing it at the foot of her bed, standing in just her simple underwear.

Standing in solitude in the middle of her quarters, Sister Mary Eunice dropped her gaze down on herself. Within just the few weeks that had passed since she had been cleared to resume her duties, she could see the changes and affects upon her body. Her abdomen was only slightly swollen, but it was noticeable. She caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror and she just stared, for the longest time. Neither embracing nor repulsed by the life growing with her.

After what had seemed an eternity, she tore her attention away from her reflection and to the white nightdress on her pillow. Mary Eunice donned the cotton garment, welcoming the chilled fabric as it passed over her skin, and enveloped her. She reached for the prayer book, opening it before she kneeled beside her bed, grasping at the rosary, and she began to do what she did every night. She prayed.

"Almighty Father...I know you can hear me..." her voice was shaky, a slight tremolo with every syllable she uttered, "Please, dear Lord. I pray for forgiveness..." she continued, ad libbing her thoughts into words to Him. After she had conveyed her views on her sins, Sister Mary Eunice began with her Hail Mary's, five before she even considering pulling back her counterpane, and settling for the night.