I AM A HORRIBLE PERSON. I spent two weeks rewriting this chapter, and I am deeply apologetic that I kept you all waiting so long. Between Finals approaching and end-of-the-year chaos, it's been hard finding time for writing. I also had my first experience with a migraine, and let me tell you, IT WAS NOT PRETTY. As a sorry present, I am planning to start a new fic, although not for this fandom. Keep an eye out for it! AND NEARLY 50 REVIEWS! AND A BAZILLION VIEWS! Thank you all!

Summary: Ruby meets a friend in the park, and they help each other.

"Um, hello? Liam?"

"Zu? What's wrong?"

"Can...can you come home?"

"What happened? Where's Ruby? Is she hurt?"

"No! No, she's not hurt she's... there's something wrong. Vida and Chubs put her a closet and…"

"..."

"I'll be there in a couple hours. Tell Ruby I'll be there soon."

"Okay, yeah, great...see you soon Liam."

"Yeah, see you soon, Zu."

"Bye."

"Wait, Zu."

"Yeah?"

"Thank you."

Liam hung up the phone, standing up in the middle of a conversation between his cousins and his parents. Everyone around him fell silent, looking up at him curiously. He put on one of his patented half-smiles, and gave them a quick explanation of a "family emergency." Harry and the rest of the family nodded acceptingly.

"Is Ruby okay?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, she should be fine...I just-I gotta be there."

Harry smiled understandingly, and restarted the conversation with the rest of the family.

Liam snatched his keys off the coffee table counter, and jogged to his car, the laughter of his family floating behind him.

Zu put the phone back in its cradle, watching the home line face illuminate orange before returning to its default color with a "beep." Running a hand through slightly knotted hair, Zu descended the stairs again to find Ruby.

At the bottom of the stairs, Zu's brows furrowed at the lack of sound.

"Ruby?" Zu called. No response. She looked throughout the whole floor, but Ruby was nowhere to be seen.

A sinking feeling in her stomach, Zu dashed up the stairs in sock-clad feet. She called Ruby's name as she ran between rooms, but couldn't find the said brunette. Zu burst into the room Chubs and Vida were in, who were both banished upstairs after Ruby flinched away from their touch. Zu had been able to coax her out of the closet, and Ruby refused touch and talking.

"Have you seen Ruby?" Zu asked.

"I thought she was downstairs." Chubs said, standing up.

"So did I." Zu responded. A beat passed before the three trampled down the stairs. Each split up in a unspoken communication, taking a general area and floor.

"I think I know where she went." Vida called to the rest of the house. Zu hurried to the living room, where Vida stood in an open doorway.

I wish I had brought a sweater. Ruby thought, rubbing the goosebumped flesh on her upper arm. Spring was in full swing, but the air had been cooled ben the rain, which was no more than a mist now. She had been able to slip away when Zu was on the phone, no doubtedly calling Liam. He'd probably be home soon. Ruby winced at the thought. She hated when she caused trouble for others, hated being weak.

Ruby stopped at a bench, sitting on the damp, synthetic wood with names of lovers scratched into the surface. The park was a safe zone for her-open space, full of light and people, bustling with life and sound. A young, middle-school girl caught Ruby's eye, a little ways down the path. She had deep honey skin, pin straight brown hair with onyx eyes. A pair of blue rectangular glasses sat upon her nose, and a book was clutched in her hand. Ruby wondered what stories this girl had- how young was she when she first saw death? How long had she spent in a camp? From the looks of it, the girl was no older than 13, maybe younger-she was 5 foot, at most. Had she spent her whole childhood in a camp? And perhaps most disturbing, what demons did she carry?

"Are you okay?"

Ruby's head jerked up at that, and her head almost collided with the girl's.

"Sorry! Sorry." The girl said jumping back. "It's just…" She motioned vaguely at Ruby's face.

Ruby raised a hand to a cheek, surprised to find they were still wet. "I, it's just- been a rough day."

What could she tell this girl? How she had been royally screwed over by IAAN? How she probably left a piece of herself in that bus that she'll never get back?

"We all lost a part of ourselves then. I guess that's what's made us...us."

Ruby hadn't realized she said that out loud, but she was more shocked to the girl's response.

"Mind if I sit?" she asked. Ruby scooched over mutely as the girl plopped down into the space. "I'm Piper by the way. Piper Fernsby."

"Ruby. Can...can I ask you a question?"

Piper seemed curious. "Ask away."

"Do you-what color are you?" Ruby winced at her abrasiveness. She really needed to shake this nervousness.

A shadow passed over Piper's face for a brief moment, but quickly cleared. She hesitated for a second, as if deciding whether to tell or not. Almost apprehensively, she answered, "I'm orange."

"You-you're an orange?" Ruby asked, whole body jerking in surprise. Piper curled in on herself almost minutely, but Ruby had a well-trained eye. Anticipating the blow. "No! Not there's anything wrong with that...I'm orange too."

"Oh." Piper said. She piped up again. "OH."

"Yeah…"

"Have you ever been in someone else's head?"

"Yes. A lot of times. Have you?" Ruby was surprised that she was so open to answering Piper's questions.

"Yeah." Piper looked away. "It makes it worse sometimes...more memories, ya know?" Piper half-grinned.

Ruby didn't know what to say to that. How could this girl read her so easily?

"It's a talent." Piper said.

"I said that out loud?!"

Piper laughed. "Just don't forget, memories can also help you heal."

Ruby gaped.

"I think I gotta go." Piper said, looking at something past Ruby's head. Ruby looked.

Liam.

"See you around, Ruby." With that Piper was gone, leaving Ruby to look after her.

Liam took the spot on the bench Piper was sitting in without a word, shifting an arm around her shoulder. She was sure she would have to talk about...that sooner or later, but she didn't have to right rested her head on his shoulder, and Liam put his on hers.

It wasn't perfect, but it was love.

Above them, a rainbow peaked out of the clouds.

Tell me if you think I should do a third part!