It was all a dream, a nightmare. Spencer being shot, finding Emily with a wanted criminal. It had all happened in a dream. Paige took a deep breath and let it out slowly as she opened her eyes. Everything seemed brighter than usual, more abrupt. The chair she was sitting on creaked in protest as she sat up and wondered if she'd fallen asleep. Looking at her neon watch she realised only 16 minutes had passed since she last looked at it. The confused captain rubbed her eyes and wondered if it were possible to dream that much in such a short time. Stretching her arms out in front of her she noticed three little spots just below her wrist, barely bigger than freckles. They smudged a little as she wiped her fingers over them, thinning them out, turning their dark red to light. The young Captain felt a lump rise in her throat as the sound of a pistol echoed out in her head, a scream, the feeling of her shirt clinging to her, wet with something. Blood.

Paige looked to her left as she heard someone approaching. He wore grey slacks and a long sleeved white shirt, which did nothing for his already pale complexion. The screen on the data pad he held was gleaming on the white polished floor as he walked. It was Dr. Ezra Fitz and he was coming to tell her about Spencer.

Pushing away her current thoughts she walked to meet him. She had been waiting in the small room joined to the Med Lab. There wasn't much to it; a few rows of uncomfortable chairs and a television screen blurting out military news.

He gave her a small smile which did not reflect in his dark eyes.

"Captain, how are you?"

Paige was still rubbing her wrist, "How is she?"

The doctor looked to the data pad, choosing to ignore Paige's obvious reluctance to speak about her self.

"So far she is stable but won't be concious for another few days. I've kept her under on purpose to give her more time to heal."

Paige let out a breath she didn't realise she was holding in. The doctor's eyes flicked up, meeting hers and she felt her stomach roll.

"The damage done to the left arm, where the pulse shot hit, was irreparable and everything below the elbow joint had to be removed".

Paige became still, "When can Toby see her?"

Frowning at the Captain's instant change in mood, the dark haired man looked back to his pad.

"I know he is close to her, so tell him to come and see me tomorrow morning and we'll work something out."

"Thank you Dr. Fitz." Paige said in a eerily calm voice. He nodded and walked away.

Paige left the room, her tightly clenched fists the only thing giving away her real emotions.

She imagined Spencer lying unconscious in the Med Lab. She imagined Toby's face when he saw the extent or her wounds. Her fingernails cut into her skin as she clenched harder. She ignored all salutes and greetings as she walked towards the holding cells where the two criminals who had shot Spencer were being detained. She wanted this feeling to go away and someone had to pay for it.

A security scan was mandatory for everyone entering the cell area, as Paige waited to be authorised by the AI the officer standing guard congratulated her on the the recent mission.

"I heard they been lookin' for that Jones guy for a while, good job Captain."

The red laser lines scanning over her body turned green and confirmed her access.

"Which cell is he in?"

The officer looked confused. "He ain't in no cell ma'm, he was sent straight to the Med Lab; his face was all messed up" He smiled then, "Must've tripped along the way."

Anger flashed over her face as she realised she had been closer to her target moments before.

The officer took a step back, thinking it was directed at him.
"Uh, we still have his girlfriend, the bitch won't talk but she's in cell 3 straight ahead."

The holding cell area wasn't very large compared to the other rooms on the ship. Prisoners were only held here while waiting to be transported to larger prison ships or planets. It had twenty small rectangle cells big enough to hold two people each. From the entrance, the hall was in an L shape; ten rooms straight ahead and ten to the left. The front walls of the rooms were made of thick glass with a small barred window and speaker.

Paige blinked, there had been a strange feeling she couldn't explain since getting back on the ship, like she had forgotten something, like she had ignored something.

Emily.

With each step she could see the girl's face in her mind, smiling and beautiful. As she stood in front of cell 3 it was apparent the only thing she had been dreaming about was the girl she remembered.

The Captain did not alert the prisoner she was there as she stared. The girl had the same olive skin tone but her hair was kept shorter just at her shoulders, her body was thin and her posture almost defeated. She was wearing dark shorts and a black shirt three sizes too big for her. There were a few bruises and cuts on her legs and she wore a pair of what looked military boots. She was sitting on the edge of the small metal framed bed, hands resting at her sides gazing at the floor. Her hair had fallen to cover half of her face so she couldn't see the Captain outside.

Paige wanted to punch something and was trying to control the anger that was rising but it was becoming increasingly difficult.

The officer at the door called out from down the hall, "I told you she ain't talking!"

Emily looked up to meet Paige's gaze and instantly stood up from the bed. Her mouth opened and then closed quickly.

Paige thought she had almost said something. They stood like that for a few minutes, Paige noticing the differences in the girl before her and the one from her past. Her eyes had given Paige that heavy feeling again, they were empty and lifeless, nothing like she remembered.

Emily glanced down to Paige's shirt, still covered in Spencer's blood and then looked back to the floor.

Paige wanted to punch something.

It was like an ocean, wave after wave of anger rolling over her, crashing at her fists as they collided with the punching bag. Sweat trickled down her back as she swung her arms without pause, images of Emily and Spencer flashing in her mind.

Paige had been in the exercise room for almost an hour when El's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Captain your presence is required in the Control Room immediately, as ordered by Lt. General McCullers."

Grabbing a towel and not bothering to shower she walked to the elevator. She hadn't been wearing gloves and her knuckles were red and already starting to bruise. Her father was on screen and waiting as she entered the room and he looked her up and down. She was still wearing her black cargo pants, her white singlet was stained with sweat and her hair was a tangled mess tied at the back.

"Captain McCuller's, were you aware you were to speak with a superior officer in this meeting?"

Paige shrugged, "I wasn't really thinking, it sounded urgent so I came straight away."

He gave a dissenting look, "In the future present yourself better. We are here to discuss your recent mission on Lutis and it's successful conclusion."

There was that anger again, her fists balled together. "The military equipment was recovered and the criminals killed or detained. However Private Hastings, our navigator was severely injured and remains in a critical condition, I wouldn't use the word successful, Sir."

The General turned and spoke quietly to someone off screen before turning back.

"The detainee on your ship, Daniel Jones is scheduled to be transported to Kolasis prison in five days, as for Emily..." He looked down at the data pad in front of him searching for her last name.

Paige could feel her swollen knuckles throbbing. "Fields. Her name is Emily Fields."

"Hmm, yes. Fields, she is to stay on board The Mako for further investigation until a decision is made on her future."

"Did you know there was a chance she was still alive?"

The General looked up, surprised at the accusation in Paige's voice.

"We had no reason to believe she was, her case was closed years ago."

Paige shook her head "But you knew who this guy was; that he was involved with the attack on her ship. I should have been told, the officers I took into that situation are her friends."

"Captain, the mission was assigned to you, all other people involved were your own decision and now you have to deal with it. Dr. Fitz and a team of investigators will aide you in extracting information from Ms. Fields and decide if she will be prosecuted with Daniel Jones. At this time The Mako has been put on standby status until further notice." He walked off screen and before she could respond it went black.

Paige stood still, her mind processing what now needed to be done, her hands still clenched. Standby status meant the ship was to stay at its current location, only moving in an emergency. She closed her eyes and they instantly grew heavy, it had been almost 24 hours since they had come back from Lutis and she hadn't slept or eaten.

She decided on going to the Mess Hall, perhaps eating something would help her focus and stay awake.

As she entered the large cafeteria she realised how late it must be, it was deserted except for a table occupied by Toby and Caleb. They looked up, their faces solemn. Toby's eyes were red.

Paige made her way over and waved them down as they stood to attention.

"Please, sit down guys." Taking a seat, Caleb poured her a cup of coffee which she drank in a few gulps.

"Please, how is she Captain?" Toby looked at her pleadingly.

"Toby, I...Spencer is still being kept under for a few days but you can talk to Dr. Fitz about seeing her in the morning." She tried to keep her voice calm "Her injuries were extensive and her arm..."

Toby leaned his head into his hands as she spoke, his face not visible but the soft sobs making it clear he was crying and knew what she was going to say next."Her arm had to be removed"

Toby's hands were clenched in his hair and he didn't look up. "Who shot her?"

Caleb looked to the Captain, also wanting to know the answer.

Paige felt the warm coffee swirling in her stomach and regretted drinking it. "We don't know yet, we are still to question...the prisoner. Don't think about that, just rest and be there for Spencer." She was having difficulty giving someone advice on emotions, it was the one thing she never felt comfortable with.

Toby nodded as he got up and walked to the entrance, clearly still upset.

Caleb looked between Toby and the Captain.

"Cap... Paige are you..."

"Go with him Caleb and then go and see Hannah." She cut him off looking away to end the conversation.

Caleb studied her face for a few seconds before following after Toby.

Paige looked to the time cube beside her bed, counting down in her head 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Blue numbers illuminated on its screen and a soft alarm filled her room. Switching it off she got dressed in her blue shirt and cargo pants and left without eating, she was determined to sort this mess out today.

Walking into the lift she called to the AI, "El, tell Dr. Fitz I'm on my way to see him."

Quickly checking into the rooms she passed to make sure everything else was running smoothly as she made her way to the Med Lab.

Dr. Fitz came out of the patient room as she entered.

"Captain McCullers, you wished to see me?"

"Have you spoken to the female prisoner?" Paige was direct.

"Uh, yes but I'm afraid she still refuses to speak. I'm not even sure if she still answers to Emily Fields. My colleges and I are concerned she may be suffering from some form of memory loss."

Paige was a little taken back, she had not considered this.

The Doctor looked to his data pad,

"However we've had more than enough information from the male Daniel Jones, We've confirmed he was the offender in the shooting and Emily is...was his slave... as such".

"He told you that?"

"Actually no, according to the other investigators the gun used was assigned to his DNA, meaning it only works in his hands."

It was all she needed to hear, "Thank you Doctor, I'll call on you if I need further assistance, please focus all your time on Spencer."

His face grew serious, "Of course. Have you been to see her yet? She's healing quite well."

Paige looked to the floor and shook her head. "I'll leave her in your capable hands." She turned to exit and then added, "Take some time to see Aria today. That's an order."

The Doctor looked a little stunned.

Passing through the security scan Paige pushed all her personal emotions to the back of her mind. She was a Captain dealing with a prisoner, nothing more.

The officer on guard saluted her through and she pulled a metal chair from one of the empty cells, putting it front of the speaker in cell three.

The occupant inside was lying on the bed, facing the wall. She was now dressed in a dark green shirt and track pants, normal prisoner wear.

Paige sat down collected her thoughts and took a deep breath.

"Emily" She called out, only a little louder than speaking volume.

The girl on the bed instantly sat up and looked to the Captain.

"Okay, so you still answer to that then...do you know who I am?"

Emily sat on the edge of the bed, looking away and shaking her head.

Paige leaned back on her chair and folded her arms, "I don't believe you."
The dark haired girl looked to the Captain, a crinkle in her brow.

Paige held her gaze, trying not to notice the lump rising in her throat.

"If you don't start talking you'll be considered hostile and be sent to Kolasis...with your boyfriend."

Paige wasn't sure why she had added the last part, she just wanted Emily to talk.

They sat in silence for another twenty minutes before Paige got up to leave, as she stood up she heard a voice that made her freeze. Unsure she had really heard anything she remained quite as she turned back to the room.

"Did you hear me?" There it was, that voice, it was like a punch to the stomach. Paige shook her head no, not trusting herself to speak.

Emily stood up and took a few steps closer, "I said he isn't my boyfriend, he's vile."

The Captain swallowed and tried to compose herself, the girl in front of her was no longer looking weak and defeated, she looked like a pissed off Emily Fields.

"Alright, do you remember anything about your past? The Doctors think you may have some memory loss."

"Why is it so important for everyone to know what I remember? I've been arrested and I'm a criminal, send me away already."

Paige smiled sadly, "Because we don't just send Corps officers to jail for no reason."

"Oh, but leaving them in the hands of slavers for seven years is okay?" Anger filled Emily's voice and flashed in her eyes.

Although the response was unexpected Paige could not deny it. The Corps had failed and Emily had paid for it.

"I can't begin to imagine what you've been though but we're here to help you. I'm here to help you." Paige's personal emotions were getting the better of her and she fought the urge to move closer to the glass.

Emily laughed, "Help me with what? You don't know anything about me."

Paige unconsciously rubbed her knuckles making the bruised skin erupt with pain.

"If you think we gave up on you, if that's why you're angry, then you're wrong. I'm sorry for whatever it is you've been dealing with for the past seven years, but we never stopped looking. The only reason I had so many officers with me when we found you, was because my navigator figured out Daniel Jones was the same guy who took your ship. When the case was closed, we continued to search for you, we both did."

Emily's voice was quieter, "So you want me to thank you?"

Paige focused on the pain in her hands, anything to take her focus off Emily's face, it was too much.

"No. I just wanted you to know...that I never stopped thinking...looking for you."

Emily sighed, "So what happens now?"

"I know you were being held as a slave..."

There was anger in Emily's eyes again, "No I wasn't, I've never been a slave."

Emily sighed again as she felt her resolve fade away, she had planned to not say anything about the years she had been missing, they had no right to know. They had been living comfortable lives and she had been convinced they had forgotten her. However, looking at the Captain in front of her she saw it wasn't true.

Paige she thought, even after all these years...

She took a deep breath and continued "You might want to record this. The dicks on the board will probably want to hear it." Paige directed El to start recording.

"When my ship was taken, a lot of people died but they took a few recruits with them. Six girls in total. It was obvious what they planned to do with us...to us, so I made it clear from the start I was worth more to them than that. Back at their base, the place you found me, use to be filled with people working for Daniel. It was a huge operation. The first day I picked up a knife and began training with his main men. They laughed at first but when I was faster and more on target than they were they began to take me seriously. I was never taken on raids but he trusted me enough to handle things while he was away and I was always at his side when he was there." She paused and looked away for a moment. "The other girls..I tried to get them to do what I was doing but they were always so scared. I almost get them out a few times but they refused to leave. After a few years of that treatment they had been brainwashed...they didn't last long, they died or were killed."

Paige stepped closer to the glass and was now as close as she could get.

"Emily..." Her voice was soft but the dark haired girl cut her off.

"No, I don't want your pity, I did what I needed to do and I don't regret anything." Emily layed back down on the bed. "There's the information you needed." It was clear she was done talking but before rolling to face the wall, she spoke quietly. "Is Spencer...okay?"

Paige closed her eyes and sighed "No, she lost her arm."

Emily was silent.

"I'll be back tomorrow, I don't want you in this cell any more."

As Paige rested her head on her pillow, she gave El one last request, "El, play clip twenty-six from my personal file."

The dark room was lit up by the screen on the opposite wall. A young Emily Fields was sitting at a desk smiling into the camera.

Hi Paige! How have your first few days on The Mako been? Mine have been so crazy over here. I'm missing everyone though and I miss you a lot...

The image became blurry as tears filled the Captains eyes.