Hey, here's chapter 47! Enjoy!

After having packed everything that they needed into their two vehicles, Erik and Laurien had followed Sera as they drove deep into the forest along the outskirts of Katowice. Sera had informed them about an old war acquaintance of hers who lived in the area. She'd met newlyweds Iwan and Karina Lisiewicz while they were staying with Karina's relatives in Heiloo after Iwan's native Poland had been invaded. They remained hidden from authorities on paper under Karina's maiden name of Meijer, but another circumstance gave them some grief.

Iwan Lisiewicz was a mutant, and that fact was quite evident when they met the man. They were greeted at the door of the hidden cottage by a small, older gentleman with bright and meticulously-styled pine green hair upon his head. He ushered them in quickly, double padlocking the door once they were safely inside. He let out a satisfied harrumph before turning to give Sera a hearty handshake, revealing hands with very noticeable translucent webbing stretched between his fingers.

"Ah, Sera! To think that my old eyes get the pleasure of seeing De Onsterfelijke again after all these years!" He exclaimed in a high, wavering voice, beaming fondly up at the woman who was almost a head taller than him. "Come!" He beckoned to them as he moved through the foyer. "I'll get some tea going."

He led them into the kitchen, where a woman with short, greying hair and inquisitive eyes sat reading at the table. "Who have you brought in, dear?" She asked, squinting up from her book for a moment at them, before seemingly remembering that she had glasses hanging on the collar of her shirt and putting them on her face. "Well, would you look at that." She declared, getting to her feet to greet them. "How are you, Sera?" She embraced Sera in a tight hug before holding the other woman at arm's length to get a good look at her. "Still as spiffy as the day we parted ways."

"I could say the same to you two." Sera quipped back, smiling. "I'm sorry for coming at such short notice, Karina, but we had nowhere else to go."

"Not a worry. We were just commenting at breakfast this morning how we both were in need of a little excitement. Isn't that right, dear?"

Iwan nodded from where he was placing the kettle on the stovetop, his carefully quaffed hair bobbing with the movement of his head.

"And who are all these lovely people?" Karina asked, addressing the rest of them who were still nervously standing in the kitchen doorway.

"This is my niece, Laurien." Sera pointed back to where Laurien and Erik were both holding sleeping children in their arms. "And her family."

"It's nice to meet you." Karina greeted genuinely before gesturing to the kids. "I won't keep you from putting the little ones to bed. We'll have tea ready in the living room in about ten minutes, and then we can chat."

Karina directed them up the steep staircase to a hallway of bedrooms that she had prepared after Sera had called earlier. In Nina's room, with emerald striped wallpaper and an old plush rabbit on the queen-sized bed, Laurien was surprised to find an awaiting crib for Kasia as well.

"They were expecting their eldest, Willem, when they left Holland." Sera commented, coming to stand next to Laurien at the side of the crib. "I'm surprised that they still have it after all these years."

Laurien gave the snoozing babe in her arms a gentle kiss on her forehead before lowering her into the crib, quietly hoping that the slight change in elevation wouldn't wake her. Kasia mercifully continued to sleep, completely unaware of the troubles plaguing her family. Laurien turned to see Erik tucking a now awake Nina into the bed that was far too large for her, silent tears running down her face as she held on tightly to Erik's hand.

"I'm scared, Papa." Nina whimpered. "What if the men come back and try to take you again?"

"They won't, liebling." Erik assured her, stroking her hair with his free hand. "Everything is going to be alright. I'm going to do everything in my power to keep you, Mama, and Kasia safe, I promise."

Laurien's chest seized tightly as she watched them, her breaths not coming easily as Nina's fear formed a lump in her throat. Attempting to stem the horrible sensation that made her want to burst into tears, Laurien moved over to one of Nina's bags and pulled out Bilbo the bear before joining Erik at the edge of Nina's bed. She held the bear up for Nina to see. "I think that Mr. Bilbo is feeling a little frightened too. Can you help him feel better?" She asked gently, making the bear waddle up to Nina.

A small smile pulled at the corners of Nina's lips and she pulled Bilbo into her arms, holding him tightly against her chest.

"There you go. I think he feels better already." Laurien murmured as she pulled the covers up to her daughter's chin.

"What about my friends?" Nina asked, her blue eyes glinting.

Erik gave her a sad smile. "You'll make new ones, liebling. You've always been so good at making friends." He told her before kissing her on the forehead. "I know that this is scary, but I need you to be brave for us. Do you think that you can do that?"

Nina nodded, wiping away the tears running down her cheeks with the back of her hand.

"Did you want a story before bed?" Laurien asked, wondering which books had been brought along, but Nina shook her head, causing Erik and Laurien to share a quick look of concern. Nina never passed up a chance to have a bedtime story.

"Well, if you're sure." Laurien said, taking a deep breath. "We'll be just downstairs if you need us, alright?"

Nina nodded and turned on her side. Laurien and Erik exchanged a final glance before getting up from the bed and heading out into the hall. Laurien turned off the bedroom light and closed the door just enough to allow a small sliver of light into the room for Nina's sake.

Laurien turned to face Erik and allowed herself to be enveloped into his snug embrace.

He pressed his lips against the top of her head as his fingers got lost in her dark hair. In that moment, as she burrowed her face into his flannel shirt, breathing in his calming scent of coffee and earth, she never wanted to let him go. She was afraid that if she did, she might never get to hold him in this way again, and from how his hands held her like she might disappear into thin air, she wondered if perhaps he felt the same. They stood in the hallway for a while like this before they parted and headed downstairs to the living room.

The next morning, Laurien was comfortably settled in the rocking chair that was in the corner of the children's bedroom. She was breastfeeding Kasia who had fortunately woken up without also waking Nina, who was still fast asleep in the bed across the room. Laurien frowned to herself, remembering how upset Nina had been the night before. With all that had happened in the forest and the complete upheaval of their lives, Laurien completely understood her anxiety, though it was difficult to see and feel how frightened her daughter was. She wished she could make the fear disappear with a wave of her hand, but knew that even her powers could not perform such a feat.

The night before, they had gotten to know the Lisiewicz couple over cups of calming chamomile tea. The Lisiewicz's had met Sera through the resistance and had somehow kept in touch decades later, even after moving back to Poland. They were now in their mid-sixties, content and healthy, and were very happy to see Sera after all these years.

Iwan's mutation did not end with his green hair. He had been born with excess skin fanning between the fingers and toes, a condition that had earned him the name 'Froggy' throughout his adolescence. The excess skin had been surgically removed multiple times through many painful procedures that Iwan still shuddered to think about, but the webbing just kept growing back.

"I was a complete social outcast from the other children in my town." He explained, showing the numerous scars along the edges of his webbed fingers. "In the first weeks after getting the webbing removed, the teasing lessened just enough for me to join in some of their games, but I was never fully a member of their group, and of course once it grew back, I would be completely shunned yet again.

"My hair was another story." Iwan continued, running a hand through his coiffed hair. "We tried everything. Charcoal, paint, oil, tea, you name it. I used to bleach my hair every few weeks, until it started falling out, then I just had to accept my fate of wearing hats whenever it was suitable." He laughed a hearty chuckle, the lines along the corners of his eyes deepening. "I would explain away the colour by saying that it was because my mother made me eat too much spinach.

"When the war came to Holland, I stuck out like a sore thumb. I was marked to go to a labour camp, and then from there, most likely get experimented on." He stated, sighing as he looked over at his wife. "But Karina's grandparents hid me in a secret room in their wall along with two other young men. Both Jewish from what I remember, and both made it out alright. We still keep in touch."

Iwan coughed, clearing his throat. "My mutation, as they call it now, became of great use to the resistance because I could swim quite fast, and without much need for air, as I quickly found out. Swimming information from Heiloo to Alkmaar undetected was no problem, and I could go even farther if need be. They called me 'The Submarine'." He chuckled again. "Beats 'Froggy' any day of the week, I tell you."

It was fascinating listening to Iwan's stories. As the tea lulled her, the stories allowed Laurien's mind a moment of reprieve from everything that was going on at the moment. She was also very grateful for Iwan and Karina's hospitality and discretion. The Lisiewicz didn't pry into why they were in need of a place to stay, but Laurien could tell that somehow they knew.

Laurien glanced up as the door to the room opened to reveal Sera creeping in with two cups in her hands. "Good morning." She greeted quietly, placing one of the cups on the side table next to the rocking chair for Laurien.

"Good morning." Lauren replied, nodding towards the tea. "Thank you."

"Karina says that this tea mixture really helped her when she was breastfeeding."

"That's very kind of her." Laurien said, continuing to gently rock back and forth in her chair, sorely enjoying the calming movement.

"So, last night was an interesting blast from the past." Sera started, sitting down in the chair of the adjoining desk.

"I'm sure it was." Laurien smirked, studying Kasia's mismatched eyes before something said in passing last night came to the forefront of her mind. "De Onsterfelijke."

"Hmm?" Sera frowned.

"The Immortal." Laurien clarified, raising an eyebrow. "What did he mean by that?"

"Mmm, that's what they called me in the resistance." Sera confessed, her face reddening to match the colour of her hair. "I used to get shot a lot."

Laurien stifled a laugh. "I don't doubt that, but I'm sure there's more to the story." She prompted, tilting her head to the side.

Sera narrowed her eyes at Laurien as she took a prolonged sip from her coffee cup. "Yes, there is." She said once she set the cup down on the desk, leaning back in her chair. "I took on a lot of the suicide missions and, of course, I always managed to come back." She explained, before frowning to herself for a moment. "I think that everyone I worked with in the resistance had some sort of knowledge of my power by the end of the war, because there was really no good explanation for how I made it out alive."

"How did you first find out about the regenerative part of your powers?" Laurien asked, always having been curious as to that aspect of Sera's life since having it rudely made known to her in Paris.

"I believe that I had some sort of inkling when I was a child. I would scrape my knees up playing and watch as the skin healed itself. Unfortunately, that led to some experimentation on my part. Trying to test my limits only to find out that I hadn't any." She stared at her hands. "I don't really feel anything anymore. Not physically, at least."

Laurien looked at her, expecting to feel the emanation of emotions from the other woman, only to find a strange numbness. She frowned, concern nipping at her.

"Were you ever…" Laurien started, trying to word her question carefully. "Very close with anyone?"

The redhead paused, carefully setting the mug of coffee down on her lap before she answered. "There was a young man who I took a fancy to before the war. He was killed during the Germans' initial taking of Holland."

"I'm sorry."

Sera shrugged, eyes still glued upon the mug in her hands. "It happens."

"What was his name?"

"Heret de Vries. I had first met him in school, and after drifting apart, we eventually reconnected a few months before the invasion."

"What about since then?"

"A few here and there." Sera remarked, her brow furrowing as she tried to remember. "No one who is especially prominent in my memory."

"And Logan?"

Sera let out an abrupt snort, before glancing back at Nina to make sure she hadn't accidentally woken her. "Just a friend." She assured her after turning back to Laurien, her eyes widening exaggeratedly. "And a rather difficult one, at that."

Laurien gave her a small smile, resting her head against the back of the rocking chair. "How did you two meet?"

"Logan's squad met up with the resistance to coordinate the pushback against the Germans. We both took a liking to one another." She smirked as a memory came to her. "Especially after he saw me take a bullet to the chest and my only care was that I didn't have enough fabric rations for a new shirt."

"Did you know anyone else with a mutation besides him and Iwan?"

Sera shook her head, taking a sip from her mug before suddenly correcting herself. "Well, I suppose Logan's brother had one as well."

"Logan had a brother?" Laurien asked, frowning at this new knowledge.

"Yeah, but he was a nasty piece of work, I tell you." Sera stated, shaking her head. "Never followed orders, was somewhat feral, and got himself and many other men shot on multiple occasions, but of course he always made it out alive while the others didn't. I actually shot him a couple of times myself to feel better." Sera confessed, her gaze becoming slightly glazed over. "The bastard's skin would just pop the bullets out."

Laurien suddenly remembered when Logan had shielded her during the sentinel attack in DC, how he had taken the brunt of the bullets and they were simply shaken out of his jacket a moment later. What she would have given to have that power a decade or two ago.

Laurien glanced down at Kasia to see that she had finished, and she buttoned up her shirt again with her free hand. "Did you ever want to settle down?"

Sera shrugged. "Of course I wanted to, but what would I do when they started looking older and I didn't? One of the major aspects of people being married is that they can grow older together. That was never really an option for me." She suddenly gave a small chuckle. "Well, I could put makeup on, dye my hair grey, but that would get tiring very quickly."

"There's always still time, especially for you." Laurien reasoned. "Unless you're happy how you are now."

"I am okay with this for the time being." She stated truthfully. "But I know that it's probably going to change at some point." She eyes rested upon Kasia, her smile growing wider. "I might want one of those in the future as well."

Laurien laughed softly, her attention drawn to Kasia as the little one hiccupped in her arms. She then frowned as she breathed through an uncomfortable knot that had suddenly developed in her stomach, wondering what kind of world would be awaiting her daughters. After their intervention a decade ago, the future was no longer destined to become an apocalyptic wasteland of sentinels, but she couldn't help but wonder if another inevitable fate had taken its place. No one had since come back to change the future yet again, so she supposed that everything was alright for the time being.

"Are you alright?" Sera asked, abruptly breaking Laurien out of her reverie.

"Yeah, it's just…" She took a deep breath, inwardly cursing herself as she blinked back a sudden rush of tears that came to her eyes. "It's just that everything seems so uncertain. I don't quite know what we're going to do from now on." Laurien shook her head silently, looking down at Kasia's innocent face. "I feel as if we've brought them into a mess." She whispered.

"You could say that of any child born into this world." Sera countered, sympathetically. "Life is always going to be imperfect and dangerous, but we can only do our best to get ourselves and others through it in one piece."

Laurien nodded, before letting out a small huff of laughter. "Have you ever considered being a motivational speaker?"

"More and more these days." Sera chuckled before leaning forward in her chair, her face kind, but serious. "It's going to be alright, Laurien. I promise you that we'll all get through this. Together."

Laurien gave her a small smile, reaching out and taking the other woman's hand. "You know, we're so very lucky to have you." She implored, hoping that Sera knew how much she meant it. "I don't know how we could've dealt with these past two months, or even just yesterday, without your help."

Sera's face became bright red once more. She seemed flustered for a moment before straightening up in her seat, changing the subject. "Here, um, I meant to tell you earlier. Do you remember me mentioning my exclusive informant that told me where to find you?"

Laurien nodded suspiciously, recalling the conversation.

"He can supply us with new documents and we'll go wherever you'd like to start again."

Laurien's stomach flipped with hesitant hope, yet her eyes narrowed. "And where is this friend?"

Sera's mouth quirked. "East Berlin."

"Oh, Christ."

"Trust me, it'll be worth it." Sera assured her, raising her hands in her defence. "It's only about five hours' drive, so we can head out later today if you'd like."

Laurien sighed, pondering over the matter at hand as she rubbed her aching temples. "Fine, but I'll need to run it past Erik." She carefully stood up to leave, but halted. "Uh, can you…?" She asked, gesturing to Kasia.

Sera's eyes lit up. "Most certainly." She said, holding out her arms.

"Thanks." Laurien gently placed Kasia in the security of Sera's arms before fixing herself up. She quietly left the room and headed down the hallway where she'd left Erik, still asleep, in their own bedroom. When she opened the door, she frowned at the empty bed, knowing that he had been there only twenty minutes ago. After checking the washroom, she carefully made her way down the steep stairs and found Iwan reading the paper at the kitchen table as Karina was making breakfast.

"Good morning." Laurien said tentatively, not wanting to startle them. "Have you seen my husband?"

Iwan lowered his newspaper enough that his eyes were visible over the top. "He said that he had some business to attend to about ten minutes ago."

Laurien froze as the words registered in her head, a horrible thought coming to her. She took a shallow breath, trying to reassure herself as a pit burrowed deeper in her stomach. No, he wouldn't. He wouldn't dare. Her mind flit back to their conversation the night before, how uncertain he'd seemed. Laurien had sensed the emotions brewing within him then, but she had been so sure in thinking that she'd put out the flames. She hoped that she was wrong about her suspicion, but when it came to Erik protecting his family, she could never be sure.

"Thank you." Laurien said stiffly, before she ran back up the stairs, cursing under her breath.

"That was fast. What did he say?" Sera asked quietly when Laurien re-entered the children's room.

She shook her head grimly as she quickly grabbed the sweater she'd left on the rocking chair. "He left."

"What?"

"And I think I know where he's gone." Laurien stated, heading for the bedroom door.

"Laurien-" Sera started, causing Laurien to stop short and turn around to face her.

"Please watch over the girls, I should be back soon." She said, taking one last look at a peacefully sleeping Nina before turning on her heel and making her way out of the house in a hurry.

Whoops, guess we'll find out about that conversation they had in the next chapter...

So many reviews last chapter! It just warmed my heart to hear from you all!

In other news, Game of Thrones... *sigh

I've been binge watching Penny Dreadful this past week, definitely not a show to watch when your parents are anywhere near the television, but a very good show all the same.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm getting hyped for X-Men: Dark Phoenix, I want to see how Genosha can be incorporated into my story here.

I need a book to read to get me from spending so much time on my phone, any suggestions?

Anywho, thank you very much for reading! I hope you enjoyed, and please leave a review below!