Birgit strengthened her energy output as Jasmine crouched on the courtyard floor, panting. It felt good to help someone in this way, knowing Jasmine did not need to absorb energy from another living being. Birgit could feel Jasmine's absorption requirement tugging at Birgit's energy levels. Slowly she increased the output until Jasmine smiled and nodded.

"Thank you," Jasmine smiled, standing and looking at Birgit, "you are very considerate. That is the first time I have been able to absorb what I require instead of it being shoved into me."

"When you absorbed from Valencia," Birgit frowned, "you took what was needed?"

"Yes," Jasmine frowned at the memory, "I took. It was never freely offered. I still do not feel right about how I survived for so long."

"Why did you say you knew me from the Madhouse?" Birgit whispered, "how did you know me?"

"The energy absorption part of me was only enhanced after you were put away," Jasmine said, dusting her knees. "It was as though Darcia and Madden had plans for the pair of us. She must have suspected or known I could break you out of your prison."

"This is something Breanna needs to know," Valencia said to the pair, "I wonder if the information we were working through has revealed anything."

"Where are we going?" Birgit asked as they walked toward the tech room.

"She's going to find Breanna," Jasmine said quietly, "Val is right. Since I arrived, I have learnt that every little piece of information is needed." Stepping through the doors, they came to a stop. Trevet stood staring at them, "Energy levels Birgit. They need to be lower."

Valencia / Birgit nodded while moving past him. He trailed them with the energy reader in hand. Birgit began deep breathing to calm down while Valencia was focused on finding and talking to Breanna.

"You're back," Tina called, "I feel her. Where?"

"With Jon in the courtyard, they may have made it inside, but I doubt it," Jasmine said as Tina ran from the tech room "get her to turn off the homing device."

"Bre," Valencia called, "these two have discovered something that may tie in with our information."

"Welcome back," Breanna grinned, "I'm told Daisy is back with a slight case of nausea. Well done, Jasmine, and the mission went off easily enough."

"Except I needed to put more charge into Jasmine," Birgit whispered, "he sent the fanatics anyway."

"True," Jasmine grinned, "but that was due to Phoenix blowing up the rooftop. Not your energy level increase."

"Tell me what you discovered," Breanna spoke softly, watching Valencia / Birgit.

"I noticed a difference between when I energise by taking energy and when Birgit offered the energy," Jasmine said, excitement glowing in her eyes. "When I took energy from Valencia, I felt I was not getting enough. When Birgit offered the energy as I needed it, I didn't require as much."

"Great," Breanna nodded, "what has that to do with the information we recovered from the dud facility?"

"What has been left out of the story is that Jasmine was only enhanced after Birgit was locked away," Valencia added. "Darcia knew about Birgit and what she could do. Jasmine was enhanced to be the other half of Birgit. Darcia must have been planning what is happening now years ago."

Breanna frowned at the information looking between the two bodies before her, "Jasmine, did Madden ever say anything to you or in front of you about someone with Birgit's abilities?"

Jasmine frowned and narrowed her eyes in thought before they widened.

"Oh my, yes, he did. Not to me directly. I remember him suggesting to Darcia it would be a ... wonderful achievement ..." she shuddered, "if the experiment with my opposite abilities could be raised when required."

Breanna sighed, nodding, "It is as I suspected. What is happening now has nothing to do with Daricia's plans. These are Madden's plans playing out. He won't care if she is alive or dead ... he only wants to achieve his goals now."

"That is bad?" Birgit asked.

"Very bad," Jasmine said, "imagine me being forced to suck energy from you all day only to have it sucked out of me afterwards."

Valencia / Birgit shuddered, "That is bad," Birgit whispered.

"Val, you want to look at the files to see other anomalies," Breanna nodded before looking at the two women. "Can Birgit control herself if I allow you to roam?"

"Trevet has been following me with the energy reader," they looked over a shoulder at the man behind them, whose eyes were still glued to the piece of equipment in his hand.

"Trevet?" Breanna asked.

"She has been doing great," he said, "my concern is what happens if she sees something that upsets them. That part hasn't been tested yet."

"Guess we will have to trust them to try," Breanna indicated for Valencia and Birgit to follow. "Calla has been working through some information for certain anomalies. Start with what she has finished and see if what you are looking for is there."

Calla glanced over as they sank into a chair, "V, this is your rodeo," Birgit whispered, "I wouldn't know where to start."

"Thank you," Calla whispered, "for helping to get Daisy back."

"Happy to help," Valencia said, "aren't you going to see your sister?"

"Tina is with her," Calla smiled, "we know exactly how she is; besides, this is important ... for all of us."

They smiled at her, nodding slightly before going back to the information, scrolling slowly on the screen.

Jasmine pulled the paper from her pocket and read through it again. Something in the scribbled lines kept pulling at a memory that wouldn't surface. Wandering to Valencia and Calla's workstations, she watched the information flash on the screen. A diagram came to the top before disappearing again.

"What was that?" she asked, interrupting the two women, "that diagram."

Valencia moved the documents back until the diagram came to the surface, "This one?"

"Yes," Jasmine nodded, leaning on the back of Valencia's chair, staring at the familiar layout, "I've seen this ... where have I seen this?"

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Let me print it for you," Calla said, hitting a few keys, "you can ponder it all you want. If there is anything else we can help with, let us know."

Nodding, Jasmine moved to the printer, absently picking up the sheet of paper and gazing at connecting formations. She knew how they were made and where they were made, but she could not recall where they had been placed.

"Why do I know you?" she whispered, putting the letter from her contact onto and gazing at the strange words again.

"Do you know Latin?" a mellow male voice asked from behind her.

Gasping in fright, she spun to find Phoenix behind her, "Latin? No, why?"

"The last phrase on the bottom of the page looks like it's in Latin," he whispered, "I may be wrong, but it may help get to the bottom of whatever is said in the note."

"Thanks," Jasmine nodded, "I appreciate the tip."

Nodding, Phoenix moved past her, pausing at the tech room doors, "If you need any more help, just ask."

Jasmine watched him leave, frowning in confusion. Something about her terrified her and drew her to him simultaneously. Shaking her head, she looked down at the paper again.

"Latin," she murmured, "I think I'll need a dictionary."

"Try the library," Iris said as she moved past her, "dictionaries are usually there."

"Thanks," Jasmine chuckled as she walked through the tech room doors, "I'll see what I can find."

Many different people, many different ways, yet she had never felt more at home than now.

"Do you trust putting them to work?" Jesse muttered, glancing at Valencia / Birgit as he stopped next to Breanna, looking down at a large map on the table.

"So far, they have done nothing to make me think they threaten anyone here," Breanna said.

"We know that a little participation does not always make someone trustworthy," Jesse glanced up, meeting Breanna's steady gaze.

"We do know that," Breanna nodded, "but we also know that no one can prove themselves trustworthy if they are not given a chance."

Jesse sighed, looking across at Valencia working on the computer, "Now that is the Val I know."

"She is still in there, Jesse," Breanna whispered, "I can feel her emotions, and she is heart sore you're blowing her off. If nothing else, you two were close friends."

Jesse sighed heavily, "Were Bre," he shook his head, "we were."

Sadly he left the tech room without looking back. Breanna turned to see Valencia watching Jesse go. Heavy sorrow in her eyes while the emotion vibrated from every part of her. Breanna watched her swallow hard, blink back the tears and return to her task.

"Damn," she muttered, "Dave, take over here."

"Where are you going?" he asked, surprise riding his words.

"Talk some sense into an idiot," she left the tech room with a whoosh of the doors and a lot of pent up frustration and perhaps a little too much anger at the situation.

Up ahead, Jesse stalked around the corner of the passage. Breanna followed.

Rounding the corner, she stopped short.

Phoenix blocked the passageway. Arms crossed over his chest.

Jesse turned, punching hard into the wall.

"What is going on?" Breanna asked, remaining in place.

"Jesse here is expressing himself," Phoenix said quietly, "he is frustrated because I refuse to let him pass. He frustrates everyone else because he is stubborn."

"Agree with you there," Breanna muttered, "how long will you tear Valencia's heart out?"

Jesse turned to her, "Don't know what you're talking about."

"You're an idiot," Breanna continued talking over his words, "she watches you every moment you aren't watching her. She heard everything you said, and don't forget she knows exactly what you're thinking."

"No one knows what I'm thinking," Jesse muttered, "what I think or feel has nothing to do with anyone else?"

"Jesse," Breanna squared up to him, "you're one of my eldest friends, but I cannot stand by while you tear apart this group one person at a time."

"How am I doing that?" he asked, staring at her anger pulsing from him.

Two pairs of boots rounded the corner, slowly stopping behind Breanna. She ignored whoever it was, keeping her focus on Jesse.

"You're hurting Val," she said softly, "Birgit is very protective of Val. You upset Birgit; you'll set off a time bomb destroying everyone."

"Well then," Jesse said quietly, "I'm sure you'll be there to contain everything."

Breanna narrowed her eyes as his sarcastic tone struck a nerve.

"What if I'm not?" she cocked her head slightly, "what happens if Rose is there or Tina. Don't you care about anyone but yourself?"

"I don't have to care," Jesse snarled, "isn't that your privilege? Taking the lead and making everyone do whatever you command them to do."

Breanna sucked in a deep breath swallowing against the pain lancing through her core. The very words she had heard her sister say before she went away to the military. It had been accompanied by vile accusations and a nightmarish night of meanness. Something of a going-away present from Darcia. Before Breanna could find the words to retaliate, a massive, folded fist snaked over her shoulder, connecting with Jesse's jaw. She felt it. Heard him grunt as he flew through the air. Phoenix moved out of Jesse's way as he sailed past him, finally landing further down the passageway.

"Next time you want to play with someone's feelings, make sure they don't give a damn about you," Craig ground out, "you can apologise when you find your manners and common sense."

David stepped in front of Breanna, blocking her view of the seething prone man. She knew Craig would not move until she did or until Jesse disappeared.

"Phoenix," Breanna breathed heavily, "make sure he doesn't do something stupid."

"On it," Phoenix disappeared from her vision as Breanna lost her emotional war against the rising tide inside her.

Tears gathered in the corner of her eyes. She swallowed hard, trying to push the tide under control once more. Barely succeeding, Breanna blinked quickly, only to lose the war when one tear leaked from her right eye, trickling down her cheek.

"Ah damn," David gently pulled her to his chest, holding her against him, "I'm sorry Jesse said that. Your problem is that you care too much."

Breanna stood stoically. She would not give in to her emotion at the moment. Swiping at her cheek, she muttered her thanks and stepped away.

"When did you learn to punch like that?" Breanna asked, looking at Craig.

"Darcia's pitting matches," he shrugged.

"We need to focus on what is happening now," David said quietly, watching Breanna closely.

"I need some sleep," Breanna said, "I haven't slept for the last forty-eight, and I'm crashing."

"Bre," Craig gently rested his hand on her shoulder, "are you okay?"

"Yes," nodding, she glanced over her shoulder, "I'm just tired."

Nodding, he let go, and she walked down the passageway toward the stairs, quickly taking them two at a time to the floor above.

"You know we've just been blown off with a line," David muttered.

"Yep, but we need to let her decide when to talk to us. If Jesse doesn't wise up soon," Craig ground out, "I'm going to add something more powerful than a punch the next time I see him."

"Stand in line," David said, "he has been demanding and edgy since this all started, I understand how he feels, but it's no reason to take it out of Bre ... or anyone else."

"Agreed," Craig nodded, "hope Alec can drum some sense into him."

"Yeah, otherwise Birgit may just turn him inside and out," David said, suddenly smiling.

"Tickets for that, please," Craig said, nodding as he and David high fived on the thought.

Breanna somehow made the third floor and began moving toward her quarters when she noticed Jesse and Phoenix playing an aggressive game of Pool. Sighing, she walked in the opposite direction and hopefully toward her suite. A shower and much-needed sleep were desperately needed. Jesse's words had hit home. She was angry that he took a shot at a part of her she thought she had lost, only coming out into the open, her fragile part. It was the part that was nearly broken by her sister all those years ago, and she was not going to let it be hurt again. It worried her that he could attack her where she was vulnerable. It concerned her what he could do thoughtlessly to others. Did she allow him near Val and Birgit?

She moved down the passageway, churning emotions, thoughts and worry tugging at her senses and heart. What was the best thing to do? One thing she did resonate with was protecting everyone who had decided to follow her lead. It was something she was not going to shy away from, and it was not something she would be embarrassed about or ashamed. She cared about those whom she helped and needed protecting. Nothing Jesse could say would make that change. It hadn't worked the night Darcia exposed her to a version of insanity Breanna had never seen, and it would not work now.

If she stood alone, she would stand. She chose to stand for what is right and fair. If others didn't like it, that was their problem and choice. It was all she had ... a choice.