As they stepped out of the elevator, Jason was almost blinded by the glorious light that hit him.

They headed down the hallway, anticipation and relief gradually shadowed with dread the closer they got to Elena's room. Sure enough, they stopped at Elena's door, and it opened for them.

I've gone like a lamb to slaughter. Was it really that bad down there?

I do need access to Elena to put my plan in motion….

Daric led him to Elena's bedroom.

She has to be still recovering. I don't have much to defend against yet.

To his surprise, the room was empty.

Daric laid a hand on his shoulder. "Take a bath as long as you want. Use any of the available items. And when you're done, feel free to get dressed in any of the clothes here." He gestured to a blue dresser that hadn't been there before on the other side of the bed.

Jason's heart jolted; it was probably another way for Elena to tie him to her. But at the same time, he craved clothes. His pants were ragged. He'd tried to wash himself in rainwater but by now his skin was streaked with dirt. He was barefoot since his shoes had been soaked to uselessness.

She won't want me like this…. Maybe I shouldn't do what they say…

But he couldn't resist the chance to feel clean again. To be dressed in something other than rags. The pants would eventually disintegrate and then he'd be in a worse situation.

As soon as Daric left, Jason headed into the bathroom, hoping he'd have a lot of time to himself, and stripped off the remnants of his clothes. He threw them in the wastebasket under the sink, then turned on the shower.

It wouldn't start.

The bathtub worked, though. As he sank into the clean water, grime sluiced off of him.

He had to pour a new bath again just because of how dirty the water got.

Finally he was clean—and he felt human again.

Until he looked in the mirror and barely recognized his face.

He had a scraggly beard which had hints of gray in it. His hair was wild and unruly, longer than it had been in a long time. He looked like some sort of mountain man who drove down only once in a blue moon to get supplies.

And the gray hairs twisting traitorously through the brown—there were so many now he couldn't pretend they didn't exist anymore.

His eyes were sunken into dark circles. His skin was deathly pale, and his cheekbones jutted out—the effect enhanced by the beard. He was a ghost of his former self.

See if Elena wants this, he thought bitterly.

Still… he needed to shave; the beard was itchy, for one. And he wanted to feel more civilized.

He looked under the sink and to his surprise, there was an electric razor there. And some scissors. He clipped off the edges of his beard and sliced down his hair to a manageable level. Then he shaved, impatient to grind the hair down to nothing.

Finally it was done. He dared the mirror again; he did see a bit more of himself there. But his eyes… he couldn't chase the haunted look out of them. The shadows that had seen too much suffering.

He turned away, heart aching—wondering if Connie would even recognize this version of him.

There was aftershave as well and he used some body lotion because of how dry his skin felt. He could not only feel his ribs but see them, his stomach hollowed out, his muscles wasting away. He hadn't even had the energy to work out the past several days.

Most of all, he was thirsty. He drank from the faucet, then cautiously headed out into the bedroom. Thankfully, it was still empty. Opening the dresser, he tossed out one article of clothing after another—all of them much skimpier than he was comfortable with.

And there were no shirts.

Anger twisted through him.

Stop trying to own me.

Maybe I can get some shirts from Ali…

A sharp sound made him drop the silky green pants he had in his hands.

Voices just outside his room…

He held his breath. Wishing he'd at least put on one of the pairs of pants… it would've been better than just a towel…

The soft cry of the baby.

The voices sounded like Nalika and Elliot.

He sank back against the dresser in relief.

Elena could come back at any moment. But at least he was safe for now.

He dug through the rest of the pants and found a blue silk one that was at least opaque rather than translucent. He longed for actual durable fabric… for jeans and a regular old T-shirt…

After dressing, he slid the door open a little. Nalika was jouncing the baby in her arms, pacing back and forth. Elliot was preparing a bottle in the kitchenette.

"Jason!" said Elliot. "I didn't know you were here."

Nalika gave a little wave. "Hi," she said. Her long black hair spilled past the baby's face.

Elliot shook the bottle, stepping closer. His face fell. "Jason…" His voice was broken with sorrow. "Are you hurt? What do you need?"

"They just… half-starved me. It's the others that—" His voice faltered. His vision clouding, he made his way over to the couch near the door.

"We can get you some food," said Nalika.

Jason leaned his head in his hand, head spinning. He nodded.

The microwave started. Cupboards creaked. "What would you like?" said Elliot. "There's some oatmeal… chips…"

"What kind?"

"Chips are truffle vinegar—"

"I'll have that."

Footsteps on the carpet. A crinkling sound. Jason sat up, the light, still overwhelming, blinding him. He took the bag and popped it open. A delicious savory smell wafted out.

He savored the tangy taste. Then hunger took over and the bag was almost gone before he realized the others might want some.

"Um… sorry about that." He offered the bag.

Nalika shook her head. She was feeding the baby.

"No, thank you," said Elliot. "Would you like something else?" He opened the fridge. "There's some blueberries—"

"Sure."

He devoured most of them. At least there was another carton.

His stomach stopped gnawing so viciously. He sat back, knowing he should pace himself.

Nalika was looking down at Dare affectionately, her rich brown skin almost glowing. She looked much better than last time he'd seen her. It broke his heart to think that this was only possible because they'd taken her baby.

"How is he doing?" said Jason.

"He had a hard time breathing at first," said Elliot, leaning against the counter. "One night we had to bring him back to Med. But he's gotten better since then. He's so good. He hardly cries. And Elena's… mostly left us alone. First she was recovering… now she's gone back to work. We've had all this time to get to know each other…."

Nalika leaned against the counter beside Elliot and set the empty bottle down. Jason could see the baby clearly for the first time; he did look a bit bigger than before. Not as impossibly tiny but plump and healthy. He had a mop of thick black hair, and his dark blue eyes seemed to take in everything.

To his relief, Jason couldn't see much of Elena in him. Though that could change… "He's beautiful."

"I still can't believe he's here—that I get to be here and hold him. He doesn't remind me of the past but—of a wonderful future where we can be together. I don't want to think of what she might do…. I take it one day at a time. But I'm fighting for him no matter what." His eyes flashed. There was a life and health to Elliot that hadn't been there before, a light that couldn't be quenched, laced to the inner fire he'd always had that had nearly faded.

"I'll fight for him too."

Elliot turned to Nalika. With some reluctance, she handed him the baby and he cradled him in his arms.

Nalika smiled, sadness darkening the joy in her eyes. "Jason—thank you. For what you did."

"I couldn't let you be taken Beneath."

"I'm—so happy to be here. Even though…" She looked away as if she couldn't bear to face the horror of being separated from her daughter.

"We'll get her back," said Jason, hoping it wasn't an empty promise.

"I would love if she could grow up with Kyr…"

"Kyr?" said Jason.

"That's his nickname," said Elliot. "It's part of his middle name. We call him that only when Elena's not around."

"Is it Muldavian?"

Elliot nodded. "I wanted him to be part of the heart and soul of our country… not connected to this parasitic thing."

"I'll do what I can," said Jason, sending him a meaningful look. Although doubts crowded in on him… Yavesh seemed almost impregnable from the inside…

Soon Kyr drifted off to sleep. Elliot carried him to the back of the room, which was a makeshift nursery. Where the divan had been, spilled with yellow light from the artificial windows, there was a partition that was black on the inside, stars twinkling across it. Stuffed animals were piled at the edge of the room. The fake windows shone with sunset light that swiftly fell to midnight as soon as Elliot laid Kyr into the crib. A little mobile with mythical animals rotated slowly above the crib and Elliot turned on some white noise.

Elliot and Nalika gathered some snacks and Jason made a sandwich. Then they all headed to the next room to watch a movie. "This is the room we're usually in," said Nalika. "Elena doesn't come in here much."

Jason ignored the gaze of the portrait of Elena above the fireplace and settled in to watch the movie. It was wonderful to see how close Elliot and Nalika were, like sister and brother. Jason almost envied them. The people he'd known and loved Beneath were all dispersed into the worst possible places…

If only I could save more…

They offered to let Jason pick the next movie and he picked a light action one. Cautious it might descend into suggestive territory, he was on his guard at first but then pleasantly surprised and reveled in this luxurious space to immerse in something that wasn't darkness and pain.

The baby monitor showed Kyr stirring but he didn't wake. "He usually sleeps three hours a day," said Elliot. "What would you like to do next?"

They settled in to play Uno, but just as Jason was about to lay his first card, the door to the suite in the middle room opened. Kyr started crying.

Cautiously Elliot and Jason stepped into the next room as Nalika raced over to pick up Kyr.

To Jason's relief, it was Tamara, little Alelu hugging the shadows beside her. Alelu cuddled her gray stuffed cat close.

Tamara looked at Jason, shocked sorrow invading her eyes. "Jason…."

"I'm fine. I got some food here."

"You won't be able to train in this condition. First we'll take you to Med."

"You'll just do this to me again."

"No—it is at cross-purposes to starve you."

"Then why did you do it in the first place."

"It was… part of the program. But I do not think it should have gone this far. If it does reappear, I'll protest its use."

"So you do have limits."

Her eyes hardened. "I'm surprised Elena wanted her property this weakened. We were all preoccupied… it may have gone longer than intended."

This place gets unsettled when Elena is out of commission… that might be a good detail to know. And Tamara is also upset by Elena getting hurt… that bias could be to my advantage…

"We're back on track now that Elena's doing better. She's almost back to her old schedule… although I wish she wouldn't push herself…"

The baby started crying again— no, the sound wasn't coming from the baby. It was the lyrebird, perched at the top of the tallest tree. Kyr looked rather startled; Nalika rocked him in her arms. As soon as he stopped crying, she sat down on the nearest couch. Alelu crept up to look at her little brother. When he held her finger, her face beamed with delight. She looked less riven by fear. Her golden curls were shiny and she wore comfortable looking clothes.

"You've done a good job with her," said Jason.

"It's… more Elliot's doing than mine," said Tamara. "And Nalika's—and her brother's. She just lights up when she comes here, so I let her as much as she wants. She's getting better with me… I just wish she would trust me more."

"She might still think you… want her for a slave."

"I must admit I'm at a loss a lot of the time. I never had a child, so… I don't know how to act. It gets… awkward."

"Well—letting her come here is a good first step. It'll help her trust you. Maybe you should hang out here more."

"I am very busy most days."

"If you're serious about helping her…"

Tamara stepped over to look at the baby. Love shone in her eyes. It was hard to accept someone near the pinnacle of Yavesh could love—but it was unmistakable.

Her love was also corrupted by the reason for it—that he was Elena's son. Her love for Elena was the reason she was willing to commit atrocities in her name.

Tamara looked back at Jason. "Thank you for acting quickly and getting Elena to Med. Those few moments might have saved her life. And Evan's. He is perfect, isn't he?"

Jason nodded. We can agree on that at least.

"We'd better get going, Jason. First we'll get you to Med."

"Then what?"

"I was planning on training after, but that's not a good idea yet. I'll get you a proper meal. Then I'll introduce you to someone."

Tamara stepped toward the door, motioning for him to follow. Reluctantly, he said goodbye to Elliot, Nalika, Alelu, and Kyr, and followed her.

After a quick checkup at Med, where Doctor Miller gave him a clean bill of health other than lack of nutrition and gave him a prescription for vitamin D, Jason chose the fast-food restaurant. While he was eating his second cheeseburger, it hit him that last time, Tamara had promised to look at Sahara's file.

"I did look at it," Tamara replied. "I'm not sure if she is suited to become an agent; she has no experience."

"She has potential spy skills."

"Yes, well—she'd have to go through some trials to prove herself. And of course, Elena would have to authorize it. I wasn't able to ask her yet for obvious reasons."

"Is Sahara safe?"

"Her owner, Rave, has been recovering and on probation. But I believe that ends soon."

"We can't let her go back to him."

"If she's able to have a role, she'll be released from him. Otherwise, there's nothing I can do."

"Does Alelu have any kids her own age to play with?"

"Well… I asked some of the other Admins' kids over a few days ago… it didn't go well."

"What happened?"

"She hid from them at first. When she came out and started to try play, they… laughed at her. I couldn't do that to her again."

"Why did they laugh at her?"

"They… know she was a slave. They—" She shook her head. "Apparently there's… prejudice toward former slaves. And then—" A pained look crossed her face. "They also… laughed at her birthmark. I barely notice it anymore."

"I'm sorry. Alelu doesn't deserve that."

"She wouldn't come out of her room for a while. I got her all the toys I thought she'd like."

"She likes books too."

"I got her some books."

"If you want other kids for her to play with – what about the slaves?" Danny and Pearl could get out of that place… he could see them again….

"That would be unorthodox…"

"There are the other kids Below too—none of them should be owned by anyone. If you can save any of them…"

"Was Alelu close to any of them?"

"She was closest to… Tim."

"I'll bring him up then."

Pain shot through his heart. "He's at Zar's."

"There's nothing I can do then."

"Isn't he technically still under your jurisdiction?"

"It's a gray area…."

"Then get him back."

"I'd have to ask Elena."

"Do that. In the meantime… maybe you can ask another child up."

"I have my hands full with just one…."

"Another kid would occupy her when she was alone. Think of how she'll start to get more comfortable with you, the more you prove your good intentions."

Tamara nodded pensively.

After Jason finished eating, Tamara led him to the office space. They meandered around the cubicles, past people working who barely looked up from their tasks. As they walked down the main central walkway, a man hobbled toward them on crutches. Suddenly he stopped, his eyes shooting knives at Jason.

With a jolt, Jason recognized Rave. He'd only seen him a couple times and he looked different than when he's last seen him, his hair longer, his face paler, his body thinner. Tamara was about to lead Jason past when Rave grabbed Jason's arm. Lashed out his shockrod and pressed it to his stomach.

"Rave—" said Tamara.

"He owes me." His eyes gleamed sharply, black shaggy hair shielding one eye. He twisted Jason's arm and jabbed the rod into his stomach. Jason tried to pull away but a shock shot through him. He fell to his knees. Rave glared down, sneering in triumph.

"That's enough," said Tamara.

"He's a slave. Why is he so privileged?"

"He belongs to Elena. She decides what's done to him."

"I deserve compensation. I need to take it out of his flesh." He nudged Jason's leg with his foot.

"If you do anything, it has to be part of the program, and I'm afraid you're too biased to refrain from overdoing it."

"If torture's still part of the program, I want to be the one to do it."

"He's too valuable to damage. I doubt Elena would let you access him after what you did." She reached down, grasped Jason's hand and helped him to his feet. "We have an appointment."

Tamara led him to the sheer black cube on the far right, about four times as large as the others. Inside, she introduced him to a distinguished man in his early forties with brown hair and beard, golden-tan skin, and deep green eyes. Javid was sleek and smooth-mannered and spoke in a soft yet authoritative voice. He exuded subtle yet deep power along with the confidence and certainty that came from being used to being obeyed.

When Tamara left, Javid introduced him to his team. They all worked inside the black cube, since their operations had to be as secret as possible. Jason struggled against being enamored with the privilege of being allowed to see it. It was almost as if he were one of them—they welcomed him, although with a certain reserve. After coming out of the desolation of Beneath, the feeling of being part of something was intoxicating.

I'm not one of them, he had to remind himself. I'm an agent, but I could never be part of what they are. Even though they keep insisting they aren't directly involved in trafficking.

But just being with them swept him up in the longing to be an agent again.

They didn't even seem to be phased by his scars; they took them as a matter of course and even showed some of their scars as an act of solidarity.

Javid led him out of the cube and introduced him to some of the people who worked for him who weren't spies. One of them would be his agent liaison. Her name was Jessamine; she'd worked with him when he'd been in the Iranian secret service. That sent alarm bells through Jason's mind, but Jess was cheerful and welcoming, full of admiration for him as a future agent.

"She will take care of your questions when I'm unavailable," said Javid in his soft accent. "I will often be unavailable. But if it is a critical matter, she will pass it on to me and I will be happy to look at it." He smiled. There was something cryptic to his expression, as if he always held some secret thoughts he would never fully reveal.

A small group made their way toward them—Ali, some guards, and another man Jason didn't recognize.

The man, who had jet-black hair and golden-brown skin, held out his hand. Javid narrowed his eyes.

"I'm Diego," said the man with a dazzling smile. "It's wonderful to meet you."

Javid grasped his hand and shook it; from recent experience, Jason knew how firm that handshake was, even against his good hand, but Diego met it without flinching.

"I'm sorry about the interruption," said Ali. "Diego couldn't wait to meet you."

"That's alright," said Javid with a wave of his hand. "We must be accommodating to our distinguished guests." He smiled with a hint of predatory civility. "This is Jason, a future recruit."

Diego grasped Jason's left hand with his. "If I didn't already have a job, I'd love to work here alongside you."

"Are you new to Yavesh?"

"I'm one of their partners. Didn't realize that until recently!" He laughed.

"One of our affiliates," corrected Javid.

"More like associates," said Diego. "Since we're in a close relationship, I thought it'd be nice to come see who I was working with! I must say, this place is impressive."

"Thank you," said Javid magnanimously. "We thought it was best, after the… unfortunate incident… you be brought into the fold. Once you see what we have to offer, I believe you will be more… cooperative than your predecessor." There was a cruel tilt to Javid's lips.

For the first time, Diego faltered. "I—I won't make his mistakes."

"Of course you won't. You will be more closely bound to us… share in our pleasures and in our pain. I must remind you, though—you're not our equal. You have not yet earned that right."

"I understand."

"In the meantime—immerse in the marvels here! Take what you want, within reason."

"What I wanted most was to see you."

"I'm… flattered."

"I've always been interested in espionage and dabbled in it myself."

"Dabbled," said Javid with a hint of scorn.

"You can't go through what I have to without doing some… clandestine things. I've sacrificed a career as a spy for what I want most, so I'm interested to learn more about your operations and how it can apply to my organization."

"I will be happy to show you—as far as our secrecy allows."

Diego inclined his head. "I won't let you down."

"Ali, if you would— please take Jason back to Elena's."

Ali led the way slowly, probably realizing how reluctant Jason was. As they walked down the hallway, Ali glanced at him tentatively, his eyes brimming with resigned sorrow.

"I was going to suggest we go out to eat… but if you have already…."

"I'll probably be hungry again soon. But you better not defy Elena's orders."

"I seem to be demoted to ferrying people around. Although… Dalkov isn't the least pleasant person to be around…"

"Dalkov?"

"Diego's last name. He was a big deal in the criminal underworld… or rather… skimming just above it, never definitively connected to it in any way. A sleek genius. Accomplished a lot in his twenty-seven years."

"He's just twenty-seven?"

"He ended up in a deputy position in a weapons affiliate, deep in the heart of Kazakhstan. Operating with almost total impunity. Dalkov tried to reign the leader in, but he was too power-hungry. Good thing Dalkov opposed him, or he'd have been decapitated too."

"He… was killed?"

"In a particularly gruesome manner. We had to make an example of him, or our affiliates might get too unruly. We don't usually do public executions… but… I think it was warranted in this case. Some of his subordinates didn't come out unscathed either. Dalkov was actually in one of the cells in their bunker—Elena rescued him personally."

"Elena was there?"

"That was the 'trouble' she was dealing with—why it took longer than usual for her return. It triggered her first difficulty with the baby… Dalkov feels some personal responsibility for that. He's a good man, I think."

"But he's here."

"The world isn't as clear-cut as you think it is."

"So you approve of… this." He wrapped one arm around his emaciated ribs.

Ali hung his head, shaking it. "I… is there anything I can do to help?" He looked at him earnestly.

"Well… you could get me a shirt."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Elena might not approve… but if I can feel less like… a slave…"

"They wouldn't let me send food before either… but I'll try again. The state they put you in…. it's almost…." He pursed his lips, looking off into an unseen distance.

They stopped at Elena's door. Jason felt like running back into the basement… but something rooted him there.

The door opened.

Voices came from the other room; it sounded like Elliot and Nalika, playing with the baby.

Jason was about to join them when the door to Elena's bedroom opened. "Come in," said Elena from the bed.

"I'd rather not."

"Don't worry—I'm not in a position to demand anything of you."

He reluctantly stepped inside. Elena was lying in bed, her shirt tucked above her exposed stomach, which had shrunk considerably and bore a large C-shaped slash of a scar. An unfamiliar man in a lab coat stood beside her bed holding a large needle.

Elena shuffled up against the pillows a little further. "This is Doctor Valliere, the specialist I told you about."

The doctor and Ali exchanged greetings. Elena's eyes roved toward Jason, lingering on him. Flashes of the last time he'd been here with her danced over his skin. He wanted to sink back into the wall. He'd forgotten he was shirtless; now he felt self-conscious of every scar, every flaw. He shrank away from her.

"What's the prognosis, Doctor?" asked Ali.

"It's too early to tell," said Vallière. "Since there is quite extensive damage, we won't know if she'll be able to carry children again until further along in the course of treatments."

"You will get this working again," said Elena, tapping her stomach. She smiled but there was a hardness to her gaze that implied she would not take no for an answer.

"Your health is the main thing. The overall foundation has to be healthy first… then the treatment will be able to take root."

"I wouldn't have brought you here if I didn't believe you couldn't work miracles. I'd pay any price for the amount of hope you offer."

"I have to remind you…. It will be safer to not get pregnant again. You could use a surrogate if you would like another child."

"Thank you for the warning, Doctor. But I want one more child the natural way…" Her eyes soaked Jason in. "If at all possible."

"As long as you believe it worth the risk…"

"You have to come with a warning label, I know. But I expect you to keep negative thoughts to yourself from now on. Positive vibes only—that's what will facilitate healing. Please, Jason, come here."

Chills tingled down his arms. "Not this time."

She smirked. "I'm not going to ask anything of you. I'd just like you to be with me."

Jason stayed where he was; she'd have to shock him.

Elena motioned for the doctor.

He carefully poked the massive needle into Elena's stomach. Jason turned away, shivers tingling through him.

"Here, drink this," said the doctor, handing her a mug.

She sipped some liquid, steam rising from it. There was a faint herby smell. "This isn't half bad."

"We'll go through this routine daily, and you'll also take the regimen of vitamins and pills I prescribed."

"Of course, Doctor. I'll be a model patient." She smiled.

Ali's phone buzzed, a message directing him to continue as Dalkov's escort through Yavesh. "Not the worst job in the world," he said. "But all the same, I'd rather stay with you."

Ali and the doctor left Jason alone with Elena.

"So…" said Elena. "Think I could give you a run for your money now?" She traced the scar on her stomach.

Jason shook his head.

"I do have a long way to go until I have as many scars as you… but this is a rather impressive one." She smiled wryly. "I have to thank you, Jason. I might not have made it if not for your efforts."

"Elliot helped too."

"I've already thanked him. And despite your lack of cooperation at first… it was a wonderful sendoff."

"That was never my intention."

"I'm not so sure you were as reluctant as you say. Your mouth, Jason—it was everything I wanted, and more."

Unpleasant heat embraced his skin. The room clouded.

I can't be here.

"You were both vying with each other to have me! If only the baby had waited a little longer—"

"The premature labor was probably your fault."

"I was getting rather… carried away. But you don't know what it's like." She sat up a little, leaning against the padded backboard of the bed. "When the first disaster happened— I was caught off-guard. I wasn't myself… The baby tearing me up inside… making me face death… it cut me down, made me fight for life… grab desperately for anything I could… and I didn't expect how intoxicating the lack of control was. Being pregnant is magical in itself, then something so… dangerous… it's unlike any other drug. I would not have risked the baby under normal circumstances… but it was because of the baby the circumstances weren't normal. Now… I'm back to myself. Or rather—I see things more clearly. The violence of that experience— it does something to you. I recommend it."

"What do you see?"

"I was getting too complacent. This breathes new life into everything. But then… he is a new life." She slid aside the covers, struggling out of bed, and held out one hand. "Jason—please. I can't do this on my own."

It was too trivial a battle; he did need to be close to her—but never again how he had been. No more deals.

He took her hand, then helped her onto the mint green couch in the middle room. She leaned back and swiped strands of golden hair away from her face. "Could you—could you get them for me please?"

"What."

"The others. I want my baby."

Not yours, he almost said. But he nodded tersely and went into the living room. Nalika and Elliot were showing him the fountain of flowers.

"She wants Kyr, doesn't she," said Elliot.

Jason nodded.

They walked back into the other room together.

"There he is!" said Elena. "My plump little morsel. Give him to me."

"He's content now," said Nalika.

"It's time for him to eat."

"He just ate half an hour ago."

Elena laughed good-naturedly. "That's a decade in baby years." She held out her hands.

Reluctantly, Nalika laid him in Elena's arms. Kyr nestled close to her.

"You see?" said Elena. "He's ready for more."

All a baby knows is warmth and comfort… can't sense the kind of mother he has….

Elena undid a button on the front of her shirt and Jason turned quickly away. He followed Nalika and Elliot into the jungle nook. The lyrebird cried again at the top.

"Don't leave me out here alone!" said Elena.

Jason ignored her. At least he knew she wouldn't hurt her own child… or would she… perhaps if Kyr began to displease her…

"I hate it when she takes him away," said Nalika, wrapped her arms around herself.

Elliot laid a hand on her shoulder. "If only we could cut her out of the picture..." he whispered.

"May I join you?" said Elena, peeking past the leaves. She slid down onto the loveseat, holding Kyr close, and looked up at Elliot. "He needs his father. Or would you rather leave him?"

"I'll never leave him."

"Then we might as well get used to this little arrangement. We can have some good times together. Forget all the unpleasantness and form our beautiful future." She reached out for Elliot; he flinched away.

She turned to Jason. "Sit with me. I haven't seen you in a while."

"Or what?"

"I don't want us to be parted ever again."

"I'm not making any more deals."

She looked genuinely regretful. "I'm sorry Sasha was caught up in the contingency; I would have honored it otherwise. At least you were able to choose another girl."

"Couldn't you… get her back? You're 'all-powerful'…"

Elena smiled. "Going back on my deals to a client would be part of a domino effect."

"I couldn't care less about that. I want her back." He loomed over her, wishing he could do more—the baby was shielding her again.

"There are, perhaps, other arrangements to be made…" She shifted Kyr to the other side; Jason glanced away to avoid seeing more than he wanted. "But we'll save those for another time. I thought you might like to hang out with us for a bit before you have to go back down."

It was wonderful to be up here, despite Elena's presence. There was light and warmth… people he enjoyed the company of… if only Elena would leave again…

She ruffled Kyr's hair.

Something struck him.

The vague plan he had wouldn't work… If he gave her drugs, they'd still also affect the baby… unless he could be sure to do it when she wouldn't have any more access to him… That was what he'd been thinking anyway. But he also couldn't incapacitate her too much. Not if he wanted to take her hostage so she could open doors for him. If he could interrogate her under the influence… then keep all guards away until he was safely out…

It was probably best to get a weapon to threaten her with. And first—he'd probably have to neutralize the monitor. Otherwise, they could just shock him unconscious. And before that, it was probably best to know an escape route… so he would know Elena wasn't just leading him into a trap again… and to know as much of the layout as possible…

The biggest dilemma was how to keep from being autoshocked. If he could figure out a way to get the monitor out…. If he could somehow get an ally who didn't have a monitor so they wouldn't be shocked while they tried to take it out…. Or get to a control mechanism that could neutralize it….

If he could have some sort of party as an excuse to drug her in order to interrogate her… but that wouldn't necessarily mean he'd be leaving right away. Best would be to wait until Elena wasn't nursing anymore. She didn't really need to because Elliot and Nalika were already bottle-feeding Kyr… if he could persuade her to stop somehow…

Perhaps she'd stop soon, as she was working, and it'd be inconvenient. Hopefully she wouldn't wait nine months… he couldn't be here nine more months. Just thinking about that much more time here made him feel sick.

It had already been almost two months… it felt like years… this place had already soaked into him, changing him on a molecular level….

"Where did you go?" said Elena.

"Anywhere but here."

"Why don't you come here, hold the baby."

If there were more… innocent ways for them to interact, he supposed he should take those chances.

He sat down next to her, and she slid the baby into his arms. Kyr was sleeping, his cheeks rosy, his hair tousled.

"He is beautiful, isn't he?" said Elena.

Jason nodded. "He looks like Elliot."

"He did give me a gorgeous child—everything I desired." She looked at Elliot, who was standing at the other end of the loveseat. Nalika was huddled among the flowers, looking through the leaves warily. "I'm thinking, in the future, I might have another child with him. Probably through a surrogate. I hate thinking how I may never be able to get pregnant again."

"Do you really want to risk another difficult birth?"

"Worth it." She slid her fingers over Jason's temple, down across his jaw. Her fingertips were like slivers of ice. He slid as far away as he could, trying to focus on the baby while watching her for any other ventures toward him.

"I want to get one thing clear," he said, his cheeks burning at having to say this in front of the others—even though Elliot had been there too, had experienced something similar. "What happened was a mistake. I should never… have let you do that. You don't own me, and never will. None of that means anything—it might as well not have happened."

"I know you didn't quite get the deal you wanted… it'll take time for you to trust me again. But do we really need deals? Now that you've tasted what we could have together, don't you want more?"

"If you want to keep up this little domestic pretense, fine, but you'll have to shock me into submission if you want any more of me."

"Your response wasn't that of someone who just wanted to get it over with. Your eagerness was tangible. We could have some more fun… I'm not up to a lot anyway. But more of your kisses would help heal me."

"I'm not going down that route again. I hated every moment of… being with you." He wasn't about to admit the… feelings she'd wrung from him—he had to ignore them himself, or he'd have to admit he was already partly lost.

She smiled. "If that was hate… I want more of it."

He felt like screaming. Shutting out her words. He was trapped in here, unable to upset the baby in his arms.

As much as possible, he shut out the world and focused on the baby… the tiny being cradled there as if he fit perfectly… longing carved through him for one of his own.

You could have one… with Elena….

He didn't even dignify that thought with resistance and let it float away into insignificance.

For now, he could be content to be with Kyr. And always love and protect him, almost as if he were his own. Protect Elliot like a brother, Nalika like a sister. They were like a family… bonded through shared trauma and wonder.

He'd fight for the others as much as he could. Fight for escape.

Love will save us.

Beautiful fury flooded him, infusing strength into him for the next round of challenges.