The loud base music had disappeared to be replaced with a slow song when Quinn slipped back into the gym, hoping that Mark hadn't noticed her absence too much. She took one glance at all the couples and backed up to stand at the wall, her hands once again clasped behind her back, her nails digging into her palms. The room was mostly dark, but there were a few spotlights around the room that waved their light back and forth.

"There you are."

She looked over to see Mark walking up to her, smiling. "I was looking for you."

"I told you I'd be back in a minute."

"Was the music too much? 'cause see, it's gotten quieter."

"Yeah. It has."

He was standing next to her now and she glanced up at him.

"Come here," he said, taking her hand. He pulled her farther onto the dance floor and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"What about your date?" she asked.

"He won't mind, him and Caim are dancing."

"Where's Alex?"

"Dancing with a friend of his."

"Oh."

She wrapped her arms around his neck like she saw the other girls doing and stared at his tie.

"You're actually not that bad a dancer," he told her.

"Bull shit. I'm just too light for you to realize that I've stepped on your feet twice already."

This got a laugh from him and she smiled a bit, resting her head on his chest and closing her eyes. He held her a little bit tighter and she didn't move at all to push himself away. She always felt safe with him, even in the beginning when she barely knew him. During the first two weeks they had spent together there were several times where Quinn planned on just leaving, getting up in the middle of the night or losing him on a street and just going in the opposite direction; right now she was glad that she hadn't.

"I'm happy you came," Mark told her, and she opened her eyes, looking up at him.

"What do you mean? Came where?"

"To the dance."

"Oh." She had thought for a moment that he had been thinking the same thoughts that she was, that he was happy she had come to the Institute. "Me too." He smiled and hugged her. She hugged him back and felt something stir in her throat and behind her eyes. She smoothly pulled away. He caught her hands though and stopped her from going any farther. "Where are you going?" he asked.

"I-"

"Oh, hi Quinn!" Kitchie stepped up to the two of them, smiling as usual. The thing in Quinn's throat swelled and she found it hard to swallow.

"Do you mind if I take my date?" he asked, and she shook her head.

"He's yours, go ahead," she replied, sliding her hands out of Mark's. She met his gaze and she instantly knew that he knew that something was going on. "Quinn…"

She hugged him tightly, wrapping her arms securely around his waist. He hugged her back hesitantly. "What's going on?" he whispered.

"Nothing. I just wanted to hug you…" She gazed up at him. "You're my best friend, you know that?" He nodded.

"I love you." She hugged him one more time before backing up, a true smile on her face. She hugged Kitchie then, and he hugged her as well. She took a deep breath and stepped back. "Have fun, ok?" she said. They both nodded, a little confused. Quinn paused before walking away, wanting to remember this little moment.

As she walked away a gloved hand took hers and pulled her aside. She stumbled against Caim, who laughed quietly. "Relax," he told her softly. He took her one hand and placed it on his shoulder, holding her other one and resting his free hand on her hip.

"What are you doing?" she asked.

"Dancing with you. Is that ok?"

"I guess…"

He smiled and she looked towards the gym door. Caim must have seen the direction of her gaze because he pulled her away until there were several other couples between them and the exit. "What are you thinking?" he asked.

"Nothing," she replied.

"Nothing?"

"Nothing."

"Alright."

He adjusted the hand that sat on her hip and she looked up at him. He met her gaze and smiled. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Is that the only word you can say tonight?"

"No."

"Is that the only answer I'll be getting from you?"

"No."

He laughed and spun her in a circle. When he pulled her back to him she tripped over her own foot and crashed into his chest, sending him stumbling back a step. He smiled and helped her to straighten up. "Sorry," she muttered, and he shook his head.

"Don't be sorry."

She glanced up at him and the lump in her throat returned. She hated this. She had to make it stop.

"I have to go," she whispered. He raised an eyebrow. "Where? Didn't you just get back?"

"Y-Yeah but…" She swallowed. "I have to leave."

"You have to…" His grip on her hands tightened. "What do you mean to have to leave?"

She felt her bottom lip tremble and she shook her head. "I just do."

"No. You don't. You don't have to do anything."

"Just let me." Her voice was barely a whisper as she tried to stop the tears. "You of all people should understand."

"Explain and maybe I can."

"How did you first feel when you got to the mansion? Like really felt."

He was quiet as he repositioned his arms so they were around her. She leaned into him, resting her hands on the front of his black shirt.

"Almost claustrophobic," he replied. "It was strange to be in a building for long periods of time. I got a bit paranoid because I knew that if I had to run there weren't a lot of places for me to run to."

"See? You get it. I'm feeling trapped here." She glanced up at him briefly and saw that he was staring straight down at her; she adverted her gaze. "Why did you stay at the mansion?"

"What does it matter?"

"Something made you want to stay." She paused for a moment. "Was it Alex?"

"He was part of it…"

"Whatever it was, you were able to stay. For me, even with something I would stay for, I can't. He's happy, so I can go."

"Mark."

"Yes."

"I see." He hugged her and she wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tip-toe to hug him back. "I won't tell him," he whispered in her ear.

"Thanks Caim."

"You'd better visit though."

Quinn laughed at his wannabe stern tone. "Of course."

"Then go. Good luck. I hope you find your freedom." He smiled at her and Quinn knew she'd be coming back. "Thanks," she replied. "You too." She started to walk away but then she saw Alex walking over and she hurried over to him. She hugged him and, although he hesitated for a moment, he hugged her back. "What's up Quinn?" he asked.

"Just wanted to," she explained, stepping back. She glanced out of the corner of her eye at Caim before returning her gaze to his boyfriend. "Take care of Caim, k?"

Alex frowned slightly and it looked unnatural. "Of course…"

With a nod Quinn walked away. She stopped by the doors to the gym and looked around, finding her friends amongst the crowd. Everyone from the mansion was here but she didn't have the time to say goodbye to everyone; she had to leave before someone said something that made her stay. With a silent goodbye and a promise to visit, she hurried out of the gym.