Author's note: This chapter will have several references to my story "Two Girls", and will not all make sense unless you've read it. However Chloe and Gail's story will, without it.

Chloe really, really, did not want to be here. So many memories. Some of them actually good. Of a time that now never existed. After the storm, Arcadia Bay hospital had become something of a home to her. And everyone else who made it through. She half expected to see a sea of FEMA and Red Cross tents in the parking lot when they arrived. "Tent City", as Kate had called it. Where David was redeeming himself through tireless rescue efforts. Where he had delivered the news about Joyce, which had sent Chloe leading Max on an insane chase through a ruined Arcadia Bay, ending at the lighthouse, which had put Chloe in the hospital herself. She instinctively kept feeling her left arm, looking for a scar that was no longer there. She had attended Joyce's funeral in the chapel here. She had become friends with Kate and Victoria here. A friendship that lasted her entire short life. A bond over something like the aftermath of the storm was something that never went away, even if it was broken for several, long years. But now, now it was just Arcadia Bay hospital. None of what happened before had ever transpired, nor ever would. Chloe knew this was a good thing, for everyone other than herself. And Kate and Victoria...they didn't lose much...save some sanity. They gained each other, though. Not that she had enjoyed her stay here, it had just been pivotal in her life before. Maybe, it was the last time she had truly been herself, with Max. Sure, the days, weeks, months in Seattle afterward were good, but things changed quickly. More quickly than she ever realized, until she looked back on on it. And yes, things didn't go wrong for five years or so afterward, but after that, they really went wrong. Chloe wondered if that had been the plan all along. She made it through the storm. Maybe she was never supposed to. Maybe she hadn't escaped her fate, she just delayed it. Only, she dragged Max down with her, that time. She didn't want to think about it. It was no longer that time. She was here, now. Whatever now was.

Chloe easily navigated the halls of the hospital, Gail assumed that Chloe had been here before, because she knew where everything was, without even needing to ask or really look at signs or anything. Gail was right, but she had no idea how right she was. Rachel hadn't wanted to stop here at all, it was risky, and it was going to cost them time, time that they needed. But Chloe insisted. And Rachel wasn't going to risk sending Chloe into a rage, fearing she might break completely. They made their way to the ICU, which brought horrible memories of Max's coma to Chloe.

Oh look, here is where I collapsed on the floor, and David of all people assured me everything would be alright…who's going to do that for me now…

Chloe fought it off and continued, praying they had gotten here before Joyce, they didn't need any more complications.

"You're his daughter?", a doctor asked.

"Step-daughter, but yes…"

"Alright, i'm going to be honest with you, this is serious. One of the bullets didn't hit anything major, and exited cleanly. The other one is the problem. We got it, but it did go through a lung, collapsing it. Someone found him almost immediately and got him here, so he will be alright, but it's going to take time."

Fuck.

"Who did this?", Chloe asked.

"We don't know. We know he was shot in his car, and more than two shots were fired, but only two hit. We haven't gotten the police report yet, a full one, anyway."

"Is he awake? Can I...see him?"

"He's out from the surgery, but you can wait, he should be waking up soon."

"Alright. We will."

"Chloe...we don't have time…", Rachel started.

Chloe just turned and glared at her.

"I'll...leave you and your friends alone now, if you need anything, let one of us know", the doctor said, turning away and leaving the room.

Chloe turned back to Rachel.

"Your dream jumping Inception days are over, Rachel. So unless you have a better idea…"

...what, Gail thought.

"Do you know how to get into his computer and files?"

"No. Max did. I don't. I remembered the code for the Dark Room because I was there."

"Fuck."

"What...do you mean, you were there?", Gail asked. She had been quiet until now.

"Chloe...we're going to have to tell her, eventually, even if she thinks we're crazier than she already does. This is getting out of control", Rachel said, quietly.

"No."

"Tell me what?", Gail asked.

"No."

"Chloe…"

"NO."

"Alright, Chloe", Rachel said.

"Let's...go see Kate", Chloe suggested, though she knew Rachel was right, as usual.

Gail wasn't totally ready to drop the subject of what Chloe and Rachel knew, ...and Max, apparently...whoever she really is, but she also wanted to see Kate. And thought maybe it would be good for Chloe.

"Alright i'll ask where-", Gail started.

"No need, I know exactly where she is", Chloe said, already walking away.

What the…

"I'm so glad you guys came...and...you're Rachel Amber, right? People still talk about you a lot", Kate sat up in her bed, she seemed genuinely happy to see her...strange...new friends.

"I am", Rachel said.

"Kate are you alright? This whole thing has been so...awful", Gail began.

"Thanks to you, yes. I will be. Victoria even came and apologized. I'm kind of scared though...I mean, Nathan is here too, somewhere."

Figures, she did, Chloe thought, remembering things as they'd been before.

"You don't have to worry about him, not for much longer anyway", Chloe said, she was leaning against the far wall of the room.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Don't worry about it, Kate", Rachel said.

"I'm surprised you actually came...Chloe. I mean, you're that like, that mysterious dark bad-girl type", Kate laughed a little.

"Not so mysterious, Kate. No comment on the rest", Chloe said.

"Are you going to be alright, Kate?", Gail asked.

"Yes...i'm, going to leave Arcadia for a little while, my parents are coming to pick me up in a few days."

"That's probably a good idea, you can always text or call me though, okay?", Gail said kindly.

So much like Max.

"Of course...you too, Chloe, right? I mean, I feel like you two are my guardian angels, or something", Kate. Innocent, good, Kate.

"...yeah, i'd be cool with that", Chloe said.

"Are you coming back to Blackwell?", Gail asked.

"Probably, I mean, i'm not sure, but I think so", Kate replied.

"Good. I like you, Kate. You're better than all of those Vortex assholes. We gotta stand together against them."

They won't be a problem for much longer either, also don't count on her coming back anytime soon, after this, Chloe thought.

"Victoria seems like she isn't so bad, Gail, just...misunderstood."

Victoria...actually...fucking...managed my career...before...she and Kate wound up...together...this is too fucking much for me, man, Chloe thought, she knew that the hospital was going to open a floodgate of memories of her old life, but she had to come here, whether she liked it or not. She didn't like it at all.

Chloe had been kind of quiet since they arrived, something was clearly on her mind. She stood up straight from where she'd be leaning.

"Rachel, would you mind staying with Kate for a little bit? Gail, come with me."

"Where are you going?", Rachel asked.

"I need to talk to someone here. And I need to talk to Gail for a minute. I'll be back in like ten minutes, if you hear anything about David, come get me."

"I don't even know where you're going."

"Try the courtyard", she turned and exited the room.

"Uh, sorry Kate...i'll be back. I better go find out what this is about."

"It's fine, Gail. Like I said, I know Chloe is a good person, she's a lot to handle though."

"That she is, Kate."

Gail exited the room and followed after Chloe who was already walking down the hall.

"Where are we going?"

"Well, first of all, I need to have a chat with Nathan…."

"Is that...a good idea?"

"As long as there are no cops around, yes."

"You're not going to, like, hurt him, right?"

"No. I already did that."

"Yeah...I guess."

Chloe had Gail ask at a nurses station where Nathan was, apparently she doesn't know that, to avoid suspicion if they were looking for her. Gail returned and told Chloe the room number, Chloe immediately started walking again, knowing the hospital like the back of her hand, which Gail still didn't quite understand.

"Room 237."

"Of course", Chloe muttered.

I fell asleep with Max in my arms every night in that room, for a while. Talked her through her bad dreams, soothed her back to sleep. Brought her breakfast. We even fuck-...no, stop thinking about this, Chloe had to choke back a few tears.

Chloe led the way, clearly knowing right where the room was. When they got to it, Chloe stopped.

"Wait here, i'll be right back, alright?"

"I..are you sure, Chloe?"

"Yes."

"...alright, don't leave me alone too long though, I still feel like we're not really...safe."

"I know. I'll be hella quick. Promise."

She entered Nathan's room, shutting the door behind her.

The room was darkened and Nathan was asleep, despite it only being late afternoon. Heavy painkillers, Chloe guessed. Good, she thought. She reached over the bed and unplugged the nurse's call button, so he didn't hit it immediately when she woke him up. She pulled a chair up next to the bed and sat down.

"PRESCOTT."

"I WHAT, HUH...fuck...ouch", Nathan shot up and then grabbed his midsection and crumpled to the bed again.

"Nathan, Nathan, Nathan…", Chloe said, in a song-like tone.

He looked over, it took him a few seconds to process who was sitting beside him.

"What the fuck do you want, you're going to fucking prison for what you fucking did to me, cunt. If not worse."

"Nathan, you are in absolutely no position to make threats."

"Oh yeah, let's see how fast the cops get here", he hit the call button, but nothing happened.

"Yeah, I knew you were going to do that."

"Oh, fuck you."

"No, fuck you, Nathan. Do you really think you're the victim here? After what you fucking did to Kate? To me? What's the matter, someone finally stood up to you, and you can't handle that? Can't call daddy for help?"

"You don't know anything, bitch. Get your punk ass out of here."

Chloe stood up and walked over to the bed, leaning over Nathan.

"Nathan. Mark Jefferson is going down. All the way down. See, I know more than you think I do. I know you've already connected some dots, but you have no idea how far ahead of you I am."

"And why would you come here and say that, if you know so much, you know you're fucking dead, then."

"Nathan", Chloe's tone got much softer, "...I know...more than you realize I do, about you. You need help. And Jefferson is not the help you need. I know you don't really want to do the things you are for him. I know you don't really want to hurt people. He's using you, and you know it. If you don't want to be controlled, that is a good place to start changing things."

"...you...you don't fucking know anything about me."

"I know your relationship with your bastard of a father is what led to this mess, and I know you need serious help. I know about the medications, and the breakdowns and...you just need help, Nathan. And I can be part of that help, if you let me. But you need to work with me. If not…"

"You're dead, Price."

"Alright, Nathan. Fine. Either way, Jefferson is going down. You could play this off as an insanity plea, or that you were forced, which in a way, I suppose you were, he's a manipulative bastard. But if you'd rather rot in prison or wind up with a bullet in the back of your fucking head when he's done with you, that's fine with me. Your money isn't going to help you, because when they find the Dark Room, your whole family is going down. And I know how much you hate them Nathan. How badly you want to be free of them. Of your father. And this could be your chance. But if you'd rather lie there and make empty threats, after being beaten senseless by two girls, then you can fucking rot with them. Tell me though, am I the first person who has actually come to visit you?"

Something changed in his expression.

"I….I…", he looked like he was going to cry.

"No Victoria? No Vortex Club bros? No Jefferson? No daddy? What happened to loyalty, Nathan? Meanwhile you drugged me, tried to take some sick fucking pictures of me compromised, you may have even tried to fucking rape me, for all I know, and here I am, giving you a chance to get away from this. I would think a little harder, I really would. I'm well aware that i'm probably going down either way, so I don't really fucking care. But if you want some kind of life, I suggest you start thinking, really fucking hard."

Chloe turned away from the bed and started to walk slowly toward the door.

"Price….Chloe…", Nathan said weakly, Chloe could tell he was crying, without actually seeing it.

Chloe stopped, but didn't turn.

"He's after Victoria. And he wants Gail Roberts. If you're going to do something, do it quickly...I...fucked up...he used me...like everyone does..."

"That's what I thought, Nathan", she turned back to face him, "...now we talk bidness."

Chloe stood in the mostly vacant courtyard with Gail. They made their way to a table. A table Chloe knew very well. There were no bloodstains, now. She looked for her carving, from before, but knew it wouldn't be there. It couldn't be, anyway. It would have been done a week or so from now, but it would never be done at all, now.

"Arcadia Bay Breakfast Club, Class of 2013

A punk

A photographer

A nun

A princess

Next to each, was a butterfly, a crude carving of a polaroid, a cross and a crown."

Was what it had been, but this wasn't that life. Not anymore. Chloe lit a cigarette.

"What did you do to Nathan?"

"Took care of one problem. Probably caused some more. Par for the fucking course, with me", Chloe sounded distant. She wouldn't meet Gail's eyes. Looking at the table or around the small open area.

"Trouble seems to follow you."

"Crazy shit is the normal, for me."

"I've noticed."

"But hey, you're still here, what's with that? Would you be bored without me? You could have hightailed it out of Arcadia, I mean I don't know what your Seattle story is, but-"

"I don't want to go back there, Chloe. People know me, I don't know them. It's horrible. You can't even imagine…"

"What? I can't imagine what? People having opinions and expectations and thoughts about who I am? People I don't know, staring at me everywhere I go, because i'm that fuckup, i'm that loser, that black sheep in a small town, not even a city? I don't know what that feels like?", tears started flowing from her beautiful blue eyes again. She'd held it together since they left the cemetery until now, but this...this was something else.

"Chloe...i'm sorry. Look, I know you have a certain...reputation. I wasn't trying to upset you about that, I-"

"Even you. You were scared shitless of me when we met, I could tell."

"Chloe...I didn't know you. I think if everyone did know you, things would be a lot different. I don't care what you've done in the past."

"You have no fucking idea...the things i've done. You still don't know me, Gail. You aren't…If you knew me, you probably wouldn't like me."

"I'm not what...Max? No, i'm not...Max. Or Rachel. But I can see you are a good person. You're risking everything here, for people who don't even like you, and...for...me…"

"Are you one of those people who doesn't like me, Gail? Are you just here because you're scared?"

Gail got up from where she was sitting, walked around the table and sat down next to Chloe.

Close, against her.

"No...Chloe. Not at all. Look...last night was...the first time i've slept through a night...since I can remember. I still had vivid dreams, I know I did, even if I can't remember what they were, but they were good, I know they were. There was no...whatever it is that usually leaves me waking up screaming, crying…"

"You too? I thought I was the only one."

"Chloe...I feel like I know you. Like...like I knew you before. You already told me that wasn't the case. So why, why do I feel that way? Why do you feel...so familiar? Like…home? You feel like home."

Chloe finally turned her head and met Gail's eyes.

"Do I, Gail?"

Gail wiped a tear away from Chloe's eyes and held her hand there, on her cheek for a moment. Chloe closed her eyes, and seemed lean into Gail's touch, a little bit. Chloe put her own hand over Gail's.

"What is this, really? Who are you? Who am I?"

"You really want to know, Gail?", Chloe hadn't moved her hand, holding Gail's to her cheek. She still hadn't opened her eyes.

"Yes, Chloe...I do...even if I don't believe it, even if it's-"

Chloe interrupted Gail with a kiss, a deep one. Gail didn't resist. Didn't move away. Even if Chloe tasted like an ashtray. It felt...right. Like this had happened many times before. She didn't know why, or care why, at that moment.

When Chloe finally pulled away, she looked away.

"I'm sorry. That's all I can give you, right now."

"Chloe…", was all Gail could formulate.

"Alright...one more thing. I'm the older one. The one that was supposed to die."

"What?"

"The story I told you."

"...who was the other girl? Was it...Rachel?"

"Not exactly-"

"HEY", Rachel called from the door, "DAVID'S AWAKE, COME ON."

"Chloe-"

"We'll finish this conversation later."