Sorry for the wait on this chapter! I wanted to wait until the 10th of July to post it, but I figured I might as well do it now.

Anyway, it's been (nearly) a full year since I started this story! Thanks to everyone who has kept up with it since the beginning! It's been so much fun having something to do in my spare time that people enjoy.

Please read and enjoy!

That evening when Michael and I arrived home, the house felt empty. Erwin was usually not a very loud person in the first place, so the noise level did not really seem much different. (It was usually Michael who made babbling noises and such). I decided to have Michael sleep beside me in our bed, just so I would know for sure that at least he was safe and nearby. Marcus slept at my feet like he normally did. I did everything I could to keep myself occupied from acknowledging Erwin's absence in the house.

After a couple of days, I took Michael with me to see Erwin. He was just as I had left him a few days earlier, nothing more than comatose. Erwin was hooked up to several machines, which were monitoring everything his body was doing. His eyes were closed and his breathing was even. Every so often he twitched a finger or an arm. I wondered what he was doing in the other world.

As we sat in the room with Erwin, Michael and I were greeted by Jameson and Brady. They told me the experiment was going well (how they judged it, I was not sure). They assured me that Erwin was just fine and would be back to me and my son in no time. Every time I went, they said that to me. I wondered if it was more to comfort them or myself. In either case, I did not feel comforted. I wanted Erwin back.

I continued seeing Dr. Wyatt whenever I had time. Having him as a mentor was a huge relief. He encouraged me to go back to school. I decided I would when Erwin awoke since now was too stressful. Several months back, Dr. Wyatt himself had actually returned to working in a lab and teaching a small class of about seven students. I joked that retirement was too quiet for him. He seemed to be much happier teaching and I was glad for it.

Ever so slowly, the end of the month approached. I had managed to keep myself and Michael occupied enough to where I was stressed as little as possible. As promised, I recorded some of the little things that Michael did: eating, bathing, playing, little things that I thought Erwin would not want to miss. When the date finally approached, I eagerly got up that morning, got ready, dropped Michael at a baby sitter's, and then drove to the research building. I expected Erwin would already be awake and somewhat alert by the time I arrived. It was almost 2 in the afternoon. I tried not to run into the building, but my excitement kept my feet going quickly.

I was soon greeted by Jameson, stopping me before I got to Erwin's room. "Hello. Nice to see you," I said quickly, trying to push past him.

"Mrs. Smith, wait." Jameson blocked my way. "I must talk to you first," he urged. His face was contorted, telling me he was about to tell me something bad. I braced myself for the news as my excitement faded and I was led to his office.

Jameson sat in his high backed chair and cleared his throat. "There's two major things," he started, not quite looking at me, but rather down at his desk. "First, the governments who funded this experiment are responding to a group of human rights' activists. The activists believe that this is too cruel a punishment to get rid of criminals and that there are more humane ways of going about it." He cleared his throat again. "Since most of the governments sided with us, believing there wasn't a better punishment for these murderers, the activists then turned to the UN. Theythen said that putting people 'under pressured influence to murder the murderers' is all we're doing. Since then, the UN has agreed with the activists to stop our funding. Many of the governments are siding with the UN because they don't want to look bad. The experiment will end when every person currently under is awake and their lives continued."

I was certainly surprised at that news. However, it was hard to feel sorry for the end of the experiment when my own husband was only a few hallways away from me, probably shaking off the effects of this experiment.

He sighed heavily. "With that said, I know you are probably looking forward to seeing your husband again." My heart sank. He was about to say something had gone wrong. "I hate to say it, but...Erwin has not awoken yet. We have given him the serum to wake him up when he wanted, but his body is rejecting it, keeping him asleep and in the other world. There's no telling when he will wake up." If it was even possible for my heart to sink further, it sank more. "Whatever it is he is doing there, it's probably important."

I wished he had not said that. I could not describe the feeling of disappointment and almost betrayal I felt. I had expected Erwin to be awake by now, but instead he refused to be awoken. What was so important that he refused to awaken?

I shook my head. "What do you mean he won't wake up? He has to!"

"Ariadne, I'm sorry," Jameson apologized. "I really am, but there's nothing we can do to wake him up. He simply doesn't want to."

"But…" I wiped my eyes before the tears could fully stream down my face. I was acting childish, thinking I could hang onto Erwin and have him when ever I wanted, but probably rightfully so. He promised he would not be gone long. I sniffed, wiping my nose on a tissue Jameson handed me. I took a deep breath, steadying my voice before speaking again. "Are people waking up on their own?"

"Excuse me?" Jameson asked, unsure of what I meant.

I reworded my question. "Do people usually wake up on their own or is it your serum that wakes them up? I'm pretty sure I woke up on my own. No one was in the room."

He rubbed his fat chin while he thought. "Well, I suppose it depends on the person," he said thoughtfully. He waved his hand. "All I am currently aware of is that Erwin is rejecting the 'awakening' serum. Everyone I know of who has been given the serum wakes up almost immediately. This is the only report I've gotten of it not working.

"I suppose now all we have to do is wait for him to wake up. If you would like, and with your permission of course, we could give him the serum another couple of weeks from now if he doesn't wake up on his own."
I thought about it for a moment. If whatever Erwin was doing in that other world was important enough to stay there longer than anticipated, then I would have to wait for him. However, I wanted my husband back so I agreed to Jameson's offer. Before I left, I sat with Erwin, holding his limp hand and sitting in silence. Eventually I had my fill of disappointment, and decided to go get Michael.

I went home feeling defeated. What was Erwin even doing? He never told me what "business" it was he had to take care of. It obviously had something do with the Survey Corps, but what?

I waited a few weeks, hoping to get a call from Jameson or Brady telling me that Erwin had awoken on his own. No such call came. The only call I received was Jameson telling me to come to the Research Building to see if Erwin would awake during this injection of the serum.

When I arrived, I stood and observed the procedure through the glass window of Erwin's room. Brady stood to my left, his hand under his chin, and Jameson was on my right, his arms crossed over his chest. We watched as the doctors made sure Erwin was steady and that all his vitals were working properly before administering the serum through the IV attached to his arm. I watched as the opaque liquid flowed through the tube and into my husband's veins. After several moments, his body jerked and his eyes flew open. I gasped, thinking he had finally awoken, but he went still and his eyes shut just as fast as they had opened.

Brady shook his head disapprovingly. "Just like last time," he muttered.

I turned to him. "What do you mean by that?" I asked. "You mean he jerked awake for a second and then went back to sleep?"

"Yes," he replied nonchalantly, obviously thinking deeply about this issue.

Jameson huffed. "I don't get it," he said, leaning forward on the windowsill. He shook his head as well. "I'm sorry, Ariadne," he said turning to face me. "I really am. I suggest you should just wait for him to wake up on his own. He's bound to soon enough."

I frowned and blinked away tears. How could he do this to me? I wondered. Wake up! My heart was aching.

Jameson

I did not get it. This man refused to be woken up. I could easily see his wife was heartbroken. Was he not aware of the damage he was causing? I did not have a wife or a child myself, as I was devoted to my work (which was to be taken away from me soon enough anyway), but I still understood the importance of a husband-wife-relationship. I wondered if Erwin Smith's priority was, in fact, not with his wife and son, but rather his work in this fantastical world I created.

I could not understand it.

Shortly after Ariadne Smith went home, Miranda (my assistant) told me I had someone waiting for me in my office. Puzzled, I inquired as to who it was. She shook her skinny head at me, pursing her lips and then told me I would find out soon enough. I sighed heavily and entered my office.

Sitting in one of the chairs in front of my desk was a rather broad shouldered, dark skinned man. His legs were crossed over one another and a black briefcase sat on his lap. His dark suit jacket was opened, revealing a white button up with a blue tie. A small, gold earring hung from his left ear.

"Hello," I greeted cheerily when I spotted him. "My name is Jameson Larson. My assistant informed me you were in here, but did not give me your name." I held out my hand for him to shake.

The man looked at my hand, a small scowl forming on his face. "I apologize, but I do not shake hands." I immediately put my hand back at my side. "And for this meeting, call me Mr. Si. I am a representative from the UN."

I nodded, taking a seat behind my desk. "Mr. Si," I repeated. "What business do you need from me?"

He took out a pen and notepad from his briefcase. "We've been monitoring you ever since your funds were cut off," Mr. Si said. "We know that there are still several people who have not woken up. I've been sent to tell you to wake them up, or there are going to be charges pressed."

I cleared my throat. "Mr. Si, let me make something clear to you. The few that remain asleep refuse to be awoken. There's nothing I can do about them until they wake up." I folded my hands on my desk, leaning forward slightly. "In fact, just this afternoon, we attempted to wake one of them, but again, he did not."

My visitor scratched away on the notepad as I spoke. I continued. "Believe me when I say there is nothing I can do about it."

He closed his pen and rested it between his fingers. "Mr. Larson, Ibelieve you. However, I am going to need to see evidence of this to take back to my superiors. Is there any way I can observe you trying to wake someone up?"

I nodded. "Certainly. I actually have something better." I stood. "Follow me, if you please." I walked out of the office, Mr. Si following me shortly after putting away his notepad and pen.

I led him to the video room. Since this incident occurred, Brady and I had decided to record the hospital rooms just in case something happened. And as I had thought, the recording of the morning's injection was there. I quickly made a copy of it and handed the CD to Mr. Si.

"Here you are," I said as he took it from my hand. "Please, send my regards to your superiors."

Mr. Si nodded slightly. "Thank you for your cooperation," he said. Then he turned and left the room, finding his way out of the building.

Ariadne

As soon as I had time, I visited Dr. Wyatt and told him of the situation with Erwin. He suggested to wait for him and find more things to keep myself occupied (which I already pretty much planned to do). I went ahead and continued doing as I had been: recording videos of Michael, keeping myself occupied, and other things. I debated whether or not I should find a job somewhere or go back to school or just stay home and be a mother. I wanted to do all three, but I felt as if I could only choose one.

I never received good news from Jameson or Brady. They always told me they were trying their best and Erwin would "most likely wake up next week." By the third month, I felt myself start to break down. I felt sluggish and tired nearly all the time. I felt as if I could not handle much longer. I might as well had lost Erwin to a Titan the way things were going.

A part that really hurt was when he still was not awake for Michael's first birthday in March. I put together a small get together with friends and a cake for Michael to eat (but mostly smash). It was very fun, but I was not the only one who noticed Erwin's obvious absence. I did my best to keep everyone full and happy. I recorded basically the entire affair, without realizing I had recorded myself crying after everyone had left.

Michael was only a few months over a year old when I finally received the call I had been waiting for. The past year felt like agony, but as soon as I got the call, my heart soared. I quickly bathed Michael and myself, got dressed, and made our way to the Research Office.

When we arrived, it was clear the whole place was busy because of all the people bustling around. Some were carrying equipment, moving it out of the building. Others were standing around, giving orders to where objects were to go. Among the crowds, I spotted Jameson and called out to him.

"Ah! Mrs. Smith! And son," he said, smiling playfully at Michael at my hip. "Please, I apologize for the chaos. The UN has officially shut us down now that your husband is awake."

"I'm sorry," I said insincerely, "but where is he? I need to see him."

Jameson waved his hand. "Yes, yes, of course." He straightened himself up, adjusted his shirt, and beckoned for me to follow him. "Now, he's been awake since early this morning. We decided to make sure he was alert before giving you a call."

I nodded. "I understand."

"If he's a bit ruggish looking or different than before, don't be alarmed. It'll be a while till he's back to normal."

I scoffed. "He's my husband, I'm sure I can handle it." Jameson stopped at the end of the familiar hallway. I removed Michael's hand from tugging on my hair and quickly fixed it before Jameson opened the door.

Hope you liked this chapter. I also hope you have a safe and fun holiday weekend for all of my fellow Americans! Don't hurt yourself with any fireworks (not on purpose anyway). And if you aren't American, have a lovely weekend as well. :)

Thanks for reading!