I just wanted to verify some mistakes from the previous chapter. For one, I wrote Dr. Reveni instead of Dr. Archibald. Another mistake I have made was failing to distinguish the realities of Rita's condition. I would have had to make her a little more reluctant to eat anything and that it would take weeks for her to gain the needed weight for her improved condition. It will not last as that man Dr. Reveni is so crafty and manipulative to let his cash cow slip away from him so easily. My goal for this story will be at least 30 chapters.

I also plan on a sequel dealing with Ciels attempt to reestablish his life since the events of the last story. That will be not for a while. Stay tuned.

Chapter Summary: Sebastian finishes his review. Chelsea and Ciel discuss the incident involving Rita. We see a glimpse of the La Dominica's nighttime activities.

Chapter 19: The La Dominica's reunite

Sebastian's visit ended as it began. It took all of Ciel's willpower not to throttle the man for constantly poking his nose in places it didn't belong. It was because of Sebastian that he was unable to follow through with his routine. It was even more degrading that he had to be escorted to places like a naïve child. For god sakes, he wasn't five or anything. More than once, the butler goaded him into enacting in activities with the other patients though he would rather do something else. It seemed that the raven wanted nothing more than to see if he would crack just so he could laugh at him later. When the butler saw that all was well…well enough for his liking…it was not time to return to London. The butler walked with Ciel to the front door so everyone would not question if he just disappeared.

"I must go now bocchan. I will return in two weeks time to see if your condition has improved. Given that you want to see the wedding by the appointed time" he stated with poignant emphasis. Ciel clenched his fist. How dare he assume such as him? Condition? He was not sick. Yet that was what everyone assumed. All Ciel could do was nod.

"Do not fret young master. No one aside from your relatives and I know of your location. We have made doubly sure that no one from the media check in on your absence. Do try to get better. It is imperative for everyone that you not shirk on your duty and our contract" Sebastian whispered the last part to get the point across. Without another word, the dark man dissipated into a vortex of purple smoke. Ciel stood rooted to the spot. His body shuddered, eyes dilated and his breath hitched in his throat. Ciel grasped both of his arms. It was official. No matter what happened between him and Sebastian it would always return straight to the contract.

()

Rita stretched her arms over her head. She straightened her wobbly legs onto the linoleum floor. She was finally free to leave this place and return to her quest. The dean entered the room.

"(1) How fare you, Ms. Marinette?" he asked her. Rita smiled at the man. "A lot better now that I can finally leave this place and get back to my friends" she replied. "Not to mention you look a lot healthier now" the man added. Rita frowned in disappointment. The dean glanced at her with sad eyes and walked over to her. He put a hand on her shoulder.

"Rita…you know as well as I do that you are stronger than this. You have done well for yourself since coming here and that you want more than anything to see your family again and live a normal life". Rita sighed. "I was fine before, Dr. Zephyr and those pills were the key to achieving my goals" she stated desperately. The dean glanced at her sympathetically. He knew why she was really doing this. "Listen Rita, I know damn well what it is like to be rejected by a potential love interest. God knows how painful it is" he said with a strained voice. Rita stared at the dean wide mouthed. "Who was she?" Nathaniel clenched his fist and shut his eyes.

"I was no older than you. I had taken fancy with a young merchant's daughter. She was quite the lovely creature. I had begun my third year of medical college and sough to see if I could at least court her. We had began a coquettish affair in secret so as not to incense her father who had no intent of letting his daughter marry someone of common birth. I vowed to myself that I would make something of myself and then once I had obtained more than enough I would hope to impress her and the man. If only I had known. I asked her to wait for me at least until I had graduated. (2) Two more years passed and I obtained my Doctorates Degree and I was now ready to set out what I had promised her. I learned that her father was announcing her engagement party. I came to the party with youthful optimism that she would reject her engagement and marry me. It was not to be. She had readily jumped at the chance to wed a wealthy marquee. I did not have the resolve to voice my heartbreak. She was the reason I almost quite being a doctor".

"What changed your mind?"

"In the midst of my depression, I decided to take a detour toward the bridge where I used to come visit her. I overlooked the village and in one house, through a window there was a little girl tending to her sick mother. That is when I truly woke up. I mean actually woke up. I was reminded at that instant why I decided to become a doctor in the first place. It wasn't for her but rather it was to help people like that child. In time the hurt went away and I delved deeper into my work".

Rita hung her head. She was compelled to feel ashamed for her actions and how they affected others. At the same time, she was still unsure of going back to her current state. If she quit now, it would further prove that she was not worthy of his affections and that she would once again be a fat blob. She had no desire to return to the way she was or listen to another of the dean's lectures. "Um, can I leave now? I really would like to return to my friends now" she pleaded. Zephyr sighed. "Of course. Have a good day then". Rita nodded and ran to the door. She was stopped when the dean spoke again.

"Oh and Rita, I know you may not want to but…please consider forgiving Chelsea. It has come to my understanding that some of your friends have out casted her because of the fight you two had. She has been in low spirits since then and the confrontation with her parents earlier has not been any better. So please do consider forgiving her. If not at least talk with her. After all, you are one of the few friends she has". Rita eyes shuddered with emotion before returning to their emotionless state. "I will try". Rita left the I.C.U. Nathaniel Zephyr shook his head.

"Perhaps I should have just let things run their own course. Then perhaps people would feel more comfortable confiding in me".

Chelsea was at one of the tables playing a game of checkers with Cain. Or rather attempting to while Cain would just put pieces in random places. Chelsea did not get mad at him. After all, he didn't mean any real harm. Normally she would be off doing who-knows-what with the rest of the La Dominica's. Yet she knew she could not approach them until Rita got better or until they forgave her. It was unlikely since Rita held a grudge better than anyone she knew. Just as she was about to lay down another piece, someone stopped just in her line of peripheral. Chelsea whipped her head to face the person.

"Ciel, what are you doing here?" she asked in surprise. She had not the chance to talk to him because of his 'uncle's' visit and that she had spent the majority of her temporary banishment from her group. Ciel shifted some weight to his right foot and fumbled his lips to find the right words to say to her.

"Chelsea, would it be alright if I stole you away to speak to you?" Chelsea glanced at him. Whatever he wanted to discuss must have been important. She noticed that he looked a little haggard and that his eyes had some slight circles underneath. That meant he must be going through some stress (No kidding). Chelsea nodded. "Alright but first I am going to have to ask Cain if it is alright that we end our game. Is it alright?" she directed her question toward Cain. The boy looked a bit disappointed that his playmate was leaving him but he smiled sadly. He nodded. Chelsea felt guilty doing this to the poor boy. She decided to go and placate him. "I promise to come back later and then we can resume our game". Cain smiled happily this time. Ciel waved the boy goodbye and led Chelsea to a secluded hallway.

"What is it Ciel? You seem troubled" she asked. Ciel clasped his hands together. "I was told by Sonya that you and Rita had a misunderstanding of sorts. I later visited Rita and she told me that you were inconsiderately scrimmaging through her bedroom the night she was admitted to the I.C.U." Chelsea shrugged. "It wasn't so much that I went through her stuff that we had a fight over. When I confronted her about it, we got into a particularly nasty argument where we exchanged insults that both got us quite upset. I am not going to go into detail what they were but it…was…pointed towards both our expenses" she replied somewhat abashedly. Ciel shut his mouth knowing she wouldn't want to emphasize further. "Still, you still shouldn't have done what you did" he critiqued. Chelsea growled. "Speak for yourself. What she was doing was wrong and had I continued to let her go further, she would have eventually died. Just like you! I don't want that to happen to any of you!" she screamed with tears threatening to fall but didn't.

Ciel's throat knotted up. Half of him felt bad for having chastised Chelsea for wanting to help her friend while half of him wanted to throttle him for putting him in the same category as Rita. He most certainly was not sickly. In fact he was perfect as he was. Well, almost since he regained some of the weight he lost. Ciel shook his head. Now was the time to change to conversation.

"It should make you happy to know that Rita is now out of the I.C.U. As of this morning, she was just released" Ciel informed her. Chelsea's eyes lit up. Then her smiled disappeared as she remembered that Rita must still hate her. "You do realize that she still hates me along with everyone else" Chelsea asked him. Ciel shrugged. "Well, you never know if you don't ask. And who knows maybe the girls will forgive you" he assured her. Chelsea smiled. Before she could speak, a familiar voice called to her.

"Chelsea! Ciel! Hello".

Both turned their head to see the whole female gang come toward them. Sonya was at the front with her hands on her hips and her chin pointed upwards. The rest just followed after. Rita twiddled with her fingers not exactly looking at Chelsea. Ciel waved at them. "I must go now. See you later on then" he waved her goodbye. Chelsea waved back. She then turned back toward her friends. No one said anything for a while. Finally Rita spoke in an authoritative tone.

"Chelsea; now that Rita is out of the I.C.U., we have all put our heads together and come to a fortified decision. However, since this was between you and Rita respectively, it will be her that shall give her two cents". Rita stepped forward and put her arms behind her. She gave an awkward smile to Chelsea before speaking.

"I just want you to know that even though you went through my private business…I…I forgive you... So we on good terms again?" she asked pleadingly. Chelsea inspected the blonde seeing if there was any underlying motive. But upon seeing the genuine look in her eyes, she figured that Rita truly did want to make things right.

"Alright, I guess we can call it a truce. For now" she said sincerely. With that sentence, the La Dominica's were once again whole. They shouted and clapped. Each girl besides Sonya clapped and congratulated Chelsea, telling her how much they missed her or that things have not been the same since her 'ostracism'. Sonya seemed to be getting tired (oh the irony) of the commotion, and decided to put a stop to it.

"Alright girls, we are all so glad that Chelsea is once again part of the group. However that does not mean Chelsea is off the hook" she stated earning several groans and complaints. She put up her hand signaling the group to silence. "As punishment for the transaction against a fellow member…she must decides tonight's activity" she ordered. All the girls looked to Chelsea. For the first time in weeks, Chelsea let out a real smile. Only this smile was more a smirk. This was strange since Chelsea was normally the mild mannered one of the group and usually preferred to keep out of such things. However, today would prove to be different. Chelsea gestured all the girls to huddle around.

"Well girls I was thinking tonight…"

(Later tonight)

The clinic shut down all its lights leaving a quiet building. All the patients were asleep in their bedrooms. Many of the doctors and nurses were still awake doing last minute protocol. However, a few of the patients who had other plans tonight. Once the coast was clear, they all snuck out of their bedrooms and made for the Back Alley. They all made for the fountain in the far back of the garden. The moonlight shone above to reveal the identities of the six women. The La Dominica's were in coats preparing.

"So Chelsea, what is tonight's destination?" Igraine asked. Chelsea tapped her fingernails upon the fountain. "I was thinking that we blow this place and head for the lake on the otherside of those hills over there" she pointed her thumb behind her. The girls blinked at her. Sonya coughed sardonically. "Are you sure Chelsea but uh…no offense but wouldn't you rather prefer a more dignified place". Chelsea glared in response to the insult. "I was thinking that we could use a change of scenery" she answered honestly. Everyone nodded their head in agreement. Sonya searched the group and sighed. "Alright fine, then let's go" she ordered. It was no problem getting out of the garden undetected since the place was not very well secured. All the guards would be asleep anyway. They used the hole in the fence and then made their trek through to the lake. It took only about twenty minutes to get there. All the girls were sweating and panting by the time they got there.

The lake was a pond with no trees surrounding it but still had reeds growing at its edges. It was about twenty feet wide, just wide enough for anyone to swim. Wasting no time, they took off their frocks, leaving only their undergarments on. They all jumped in not caring for how cold the water was. It was not so cold but it was enough to bring relief to their heated bodies (not like that). They splashed and played around in the water all the while laughing. This was just what they needed. For each of the girls, it was a time to forget about well…everything. They could just be themselves. Once they got too tired of splashing or playing in the water, they all lied down on the dry grass and rested beneath the cover of the stars. The outside air was warm enough so it was perfect to be outside. Andromeda lied on her side and sighed in contentment. She could barely remember a day, she had ever felt peace.

"You know something girls? This is really nice. We should do this more often" she said. The girls hummed in response. Susie sat up and stretched. She tapped on Sonya's shoulder. Only Sonya, Chelsea and Rita could understand sign language. The girl began moving her hands, "You ever think that I will be able to communicate with people like the crickets" she asked. Sonya nodded. "Of course you will. And we will be there to help you all the way". Susie gave a half smile. As badly as she had wanted to, something in her brain prevented the words from escaping her mouth. She looked over to Andromeda who looked to be in a troubled sleep. She reached over and tapped Andromeda. At once Andromeda's eyes shot open and she began to thrash and scream immediately breaking the tranquility of the night.

"No!No! Please don't hurt me! I'm sorry! Let me out! I'll be good!"

Some of the girls looked on in horror save for Sonya and Igraine who attempted to calm the poor girl. They knew what was going on. It meant Amber; the timid, childish side of her had come out and forcing her to relive a very unpleasant memory.

"Andromeda! Andromeda! It's okay. You are fine. Those bad people are gone. You are safe now" Sonya hugged Andromeda close to her body and rocked her (A/N: Mind out of the gutter perverts). Igraine soothed and caressed her hair until the girl calmed down and fainted. Andromeda was once again in possession of her own body. Sonya stared up at the group with serious eyes. "Let's get dressed and back to the clinic before the dean has a panic attack". Not wasting any time, they all put their frocks back on but not without redressing the unconscious Andromeda. Susie had her head hung with tears in her eyes. Sonya noticed this and put a hand on the girls shoulders. "Susie, it is not your fault. None of us could have known that Andromeda was going to switch" she assured her. Susie only nodded numbly. Sonya sighed.

"Come on, let's get back home and we will have forgotten this ever happened" she ordered. Susie followed after her. Nothing more was said as the girls trekked back to the clinic. Sonya offered to bring Andromeda to her room. Rita tiptoed slowly to her room. She shut the door behind her slowly. She looked straight ahead with a blank expression. She walked over to her dressing beau and reached for the top shelf and grabbed something. The object in question was a bottle. Yes, Rita had obtained another set of diet pills. How did she you ask?

Flashback…

Rita left the I.C.U. with a heavy mind and heart. The fact that Dr. Zephyr could just expect her to forgive Chelsea like it never even happened. He even told her that some people are not worth destroying yourself over. She had thought this over time and again. Was she really doing all this for Calvin or was it to prove him and everyone else wrong? She was interrupted from her thoughts as Dr. Archibald walked over to her with an expectant smile. It rather unnerved Rita that he always knew where to find her. She gave a false smile.

"Rita, it is so good to see you up and about. How are you feeling since you have come out of the I.C.U.?" he inquired. Though his face held one of jovial clarity, his blood turned cold upon seeing Rita's "improved" status. "I am okay although I would have rather been elsewhere" she answered honestly. Archibald gritted his teeth. This was not supposed to happen. If she got any better, she would leave and he would lose one bit of his paycheck. "That is wonderful to hear. I am sorry that you had to go through such an ordeal". Rita crossed her arms. "Truth be told, I am quite over it already and am about to go on my way to make up with Chelsea. After all she is my friend and is only trying to help". The doctor clenched his fist. He did not particularly care for any members of the La Dominica's. In his mind, it was one big joke to him. They were all just a bunch of silly adolescents making them out to be something they're not. He especially did not like Chelsea because she was one of the many who was not easy to manipulate. That is why he went toward the weakest (in his mind) member, Rita. He knew she was so eager to be as thin as possible. It was time to pull out his trump card.

"Well as wonderful as that is, it would have been much better had they not forced you to fatten up" he stated slyly. Rita paled. She looked toward her stomach. She noticed it was larger now. Then her mind clicked back to the talk with the dean. She stared at Dr. Archibald. "With all due respect sir, the doctors says I am fine where I am. Now if you will excuse me, I have to go find my friends and let them know I am up. Good day to you sir". She dismissed with a casual wave and trotted down the floor. The doctor growled. No he was not going to lose her now. "Well, if you change your mind, they will be up on the top shelf of your dressing closet" he called to her. Rita nearly slowed down to tell him to bugger off but continued anyway. "Oh and by the way, you look a little large at the hips!"

Flashback ends.

Rita stared at the bottle. It was brand new by the looks of it. When she was in that hospital bed, she made a promise to herself that she would try not to falter. Then the doc had to give her some cockamamie sob story about how his dreams were dashed because he failed to catch some girl's affection. And now he was telling her to not to repeat his mistakes. Blah! She had long forgiven Chelsea. For a time, she even began to reconsider what she was doing. But then Dr. Archibald had to come along. She closed her eyes and fought with herself for a while. She glanced at the bottle of pills. "I am sorry but I just can't go back to being fat" she whispered to herself.

The La Dominica's are now back together. That does not mean all is well. Damn that Dr. Archibald coming in and wrecking everything once it's been fixed or close to. I was originally planning on having Chelsea's folk come into the picture but I found that it was taking too much time away from the main characters. I believed the La Dominica's needed something to blow off some steam and what better way than to play around in the lake. Well, they would not be gang members if they didn't break a few rules every now and then. Ciel's ordeal is only going to be more trifle as the story progresses. He will start to question what he is doing when a rather shocking event happens. I will not reveal until later on. Please read and review. I wanted to put in a little backdrop into Nathaniel Zephyr's past so that he could have something to give Rita to think over and if it is really worth it what she is doing.

That is all I have for now. Thanks and until next time.

Next Chapter: Everyone's favorite Indian duo comes to visit though are not welcomed warmly by some. The dean tries to console Samuel to no avail, Agni meets with misfortune and Ciel comes upon a familiar face.

Chapter Footnotes

(1) Her last name from Chapter 14.

(2) Something that is obtained when one completes a certain number of college credits to obtain the right to work as a doctor.