The Titanic sank, it made all the newspapers.

After a briefing from Vastra and Jenny, Louisa has not let Fiona off the hook. The therapy session have become so incredibly intense as to evoke yelling.

Fiona's load is starting to weigh heavy. Louisa has to remind Fiona her the world's future is not her responsibility to restore or repair events especially if it means doing something illegal like abduction, theft or murder. The pain of John betrayal and the Bethlem Royal Hospital has taken a back seat to this burden of knowledge.

In the drawing-room, Louisa talked to Jenny and Vastra after a particular intense session. Alaya listened from the kitchen entrance, "... It seems that she is healing but until she is back into control, back in school, back to living her life she will feel like a penned lion." Louisa queried, "Are you sure that she has to stay here? If she goes back home with her mother at least, she will have a job."

Jenny, "We check 14 Savile Road every week. I am afraid to report it remains unsafe."

Louisa, "I don't fully understand, but I trust you both. She rode her bicycle, had a job and was in charge of her own life. Now she is putting all her hope in going back to school. The problem is that when she begins her courses again she will leave here and never look back. There is no place for here."

Jenny pulling Vastra close, "What about Alaya?"

"She wants to leave and wants to put this all behind her. As far as Alaya, that is up to Alaya. Fiona wants Alaya, but as a partner not a gentle warden or savior. "
Alaya eyes hurt and her hands are clasped. She prepares to enter the basement. "Fiona is intelligent, the smartest person I know. Her books are not enough. She needs to start living, have a purpose, to take part ... which will not happen as long as she is hiding. She will be lost."

Vastra asks, "Do you have any suggestions?"

"I can help with the mind. You can assist with the body. But how do you reach the spirit of the girl?"

Since Southampton Fiona is more reserved and has kept Alaya at a distance. The only time Fiona shows any sort of emotion is during the sessions in the basement. Fiona's determined to make herself strong. If jenny, a human like herself, can defend and defeat other humans, why not herself.

It was during one of these training sessions an opportunity came that changed the Flint family forever.

Vastra would not let Alaya be soft, "Fiona you need learn, now try again." Alaya extends her hand to help Fiona from the floor once again, which is the only contact shared between the two since Southampton.

The doorbell rang.

Vastra tongue licked the air. Fiona's eyes grew wide and blushed as she briefly caught Alaya's eyes.

Vastra shared her findings, "A telegram. Now this time Fiona keep your stance like this ... " Vastra demonstrates the position to Fiona and explains what to pay attention to as Alaya attacks.
Jenny silently works her way down the stairs.

Vastra looking up, "We have a job?"

"Yes, you read this."

Vastra stands up and grabs the telegram, slightly annoyed she has to read it herself. Jenny is neither mute nor illiterate. "I see. This will need our immediate attention. Please we will have to continue tomorrow." Alaya and Vastra follow Jenny up the stairs.
Jenny stops immediately, creating a chain reaction to those behind her. "Fiona?," as Jenny peeks between the steps and basement ceiling, "We will require your services."
Fiona quickly grabs her cricket bat and towel and leaps into action following Flint family parade up the stairs.

"You two go wait in the drawing-room. We need to make a phone call for details."

As instructed Fiona and Alaya sit in the drawing-room. Alaya turns to Fiona to discusses the attack motion that has put Fiona's body on the ground these past few sessions. "... It is all about balance and counter ..."

After a half hour, Vastra and Jenny return and sit down at the table.

Vastra announces, "The Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company hired us to investigate fraud against their client. An excellent opportunity for income."

Alaya getting excited, "Does that mean we are going to do surveillance?"

Jenny has already started making notes and jotting down specifics.

"Not this time. This is an enormous undertaking and all of it is document research." Turning to Fiona. "We will need your skills and services and you shall be compensated. May we count on you?"

Fiona smiles, "Thank you, I am at your service. But please do not compensate me, you are providing room and board."

Jenny shakes her head no, "We'll discuss the compensation later.".

Alaya writing down her own notes, "Who is their client? What the fraud?"

Vastra, "We are investigating the TMS Titanic."

Fiona holds her breath and her face becomes white.

Vastra continues looking compassionately at Fiona, "There will be time for emotions later. I need your skills. If we do not have a typist, our profits will dwindle. If choose not help us, we will hire a temporary secretary. If you choose to take on this challenge with us we need you professional and attentive. This is a daunting task for anyone. But I believe that we all can rise above this and meet the client needs beyond expectations. This truly could be a profitable addition to our family business. We will be working together ..."

Fiona interrupts, "Like a cricket team?"

Jenny, Alaya and Vastra all roll their eyes.

Vastra responds with a smile, "I suppose. A team, yes. We are a team. You have a skill we lack. Will you help us?"

"Yes! I want to help. You can count on me."

"Welcome to the family business."

Fiona sits up a little taller.

Vastra explains the details of the project, "We are to make sure all claims are legitimate and report discrepancies. This is a priority in our lives. Jenny and I will immediately leave and head over to Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company, check-in at Scotland Yard to put a hold on our availability and visit your mother April."

Jenny hands Alaya a couple of sheets of paper. "Here are our food requirements for the next few months. Go to the butcher, grocer and other services you see fit. Also, take care of personal conflicts and outside obligations."

Alaya nods and glances over the lists.

Vastra instructs the new Family Business employee, "Fiona please set up and office area somewhere on this floor. We are sorry, you will have cut your study time down, temporarily. You will have to wake up earlier to study. However, you keep your appointments with Louisa. We will send well wishes to your mother. Give a list of items you will need for your temporary office to Alaya."

Jenny looking to the girls, "Alaya and Fiona, please organize the house. Pay close attention to the common areas."

Alaya to Fiona, "We can do this together before I head out to the shops."

Fiona nods with a smile, she did not want cleaning the common areas alone.

While Alaya and Fiona are cleaning and organizing the house, a telegram comes addressed to Alaya. It is from her mothers, "We are to clear out the foyer. Many boxes shall be delivered."

Within thirty minutes, the foyer is empty. The deliveries begin immediately, Fiona and Alaya watch from the kitchen, they count over hundred boxes. The delivery men stacked the boxes in groups of seven, five rows and in three sections.

After the delivery was complete Alaya and Fiona set up an office area near the stairs with a desk, Fiona's Standard Folding 1 typewriter, lamp and chair. The steps behind her seat become a makeshift shelving system.

A narrow three feet opening remains open to get access to upstairs.

Fiona it sitting behind the desk testing movement and distance. Alaya is standing nearby and a giggle escapes. Fiona's face instantly looks distressed.

"Fiona, what will you need to make this office?"

Fiona gets up and looks around at all the boxes and comes back to the desk to write a shopping list. "I believe that should do it? If possibly a brighter lamp. It looks as if I will be doing plenty of typing. I need more light. I am open to suggestions." Fiona hands up the piece of paper to Alaya and offers a muted smile.
Alaya staring at Fiona lets out a sigh. Alaya opens her mouth, hesitates, then closes.

Alaya turns and glances at the list, "I shall be back shortly. I will see about brighter lamp."
Fiona has remains seated at the desk evaluating placement and organization.
"Fiona ..."
Fiona looks to Alaya putting on her coat.

"I am not the enemy. If you don't want me, hate me, disgusted by me ... " she stops and sighs. "... I am grateful that you are helping my family. We could not do this without you. I am sorry you are hurting and angry. I miss you. " She veils herself and walked out the door.

Fiona sat there crying for a few minutes, then suddenly gathered herself and proceeds into clean the kitchen.

Alaya returned home to find a spotless main floor, a full tea service, cold meat tray and a studying Fiona in the drawing-room.

"Thank you, very thoughtful. I bought sweets," as she lays the white box in the middle of the table. The two plop into the chairs and have a cup of tea.
Alaya speaks into her tea-cup, "I heard you crying. I wanted to come back. I don't know what to do."

Fiona reaches her hand towards Alaya. "I am my own enemy. I don't hate you, you are beautiful. I miss you, us." Fiona takes a deep breath, "I am angry, hurting ... too many emotions. They are too much." Fiona takes a deep breath, "I am scared."

Alaya, "Scared of what?"

Fiona, "I am scared of losing myself. I don't want anyone, want to leave and never be found."

Alaya turns to Fiona and holds Fiona's face in her hands, "You fight that feeling. The same person I wrote those letters to is in there. Your hair is growing in nicely, your hand tremors are gone and you smile. You smile less than I prefer, but I will take it. You yourself are getting better. We have trained you to make you physically stronger. Louisa is helping with your mind. How can I aid in making you are stronger on the inside?"

"I do not know. If I did, I would tell you." Fiona looks directly into Alaya's eyes, "I wish I understood why I want to push you away. There are no publications that have helped me understand. I want to keep you at a distance. I do not want you to fix this, rescue me or serving as a sentry. I require an equal, an Olive ... I tell Louisa everything ... I have even raised my voice. I must reveal my feelings to repair my brain. Maybe I should share with you ... I don't know."

"This is a start. You can tell me anything." Alaya pulls Fiona closer with a hug.

Doorbell rings.

The office supplies arrived and piled in Fiona's temporary office area which included: four reams of onionskin paper, two boxes of carbon paper, clipless stand machine, one hundred and ten hang tags, one hundred and ten large manila envelope, one-eighth pound of two ounce tacks, a two-ring binder, seven extra typewriter ribbons and a brand new lamp with an extra-bright bulb.

"Thank you. It is perfect." Fiona gives Alaya a kiss on the cheek. They walk holding hand retiring into the drawing-room to their tea.

Moments later Vastra and Jenny returned home and noticed the foyer's limited capacity. Alaya calls out, "We are in the drawing-room. There is tea."

Jenny and Vastra plunk down into their chairs as Fiona hands them both teas. Vastra and Jenny take notice the hand-holding women in front of them but say nothing. With One Voice voted to start their business after a good night sleep.

Tonight, it is the calm before the storm. A long, isolating and boring storm.