"Kelvin, are you sure she is in there?" Craig asked, joining the gathering group.

"Very certain," Kelvin nodded, "I can hear her screaming."

"What is being done to get that door open?" Craig asked.

"We have been trying every number combination we can think of," Trevet said, "nothing seems to be working."

"Has anyone tried to read the system yet?" Scott asked, stopping next to Craig.

"We've got this," Kelvin said, "if need be, we'll take a jackhammer to it."

Scott walked up to the number panel, putting his hand across it and closed his eyes.

"What are you doing?" Kelvin moved to stop him but met with Jarred stepping into his path.

"I would let him do his thing," Jarred spoke quietly as he met Kelvin's gaze, "you may have a super hearing, but Scott can read code like no one I know."

"He may kill her," Kelvin said, wincing as he obviously heard the screams inside.

"If you do whatever your team is planning to do," Jarred snarled, "you may kill her as well."

"I can open the machine," Scott said, stepping away from the door, "then we can get to her."

"I don't think that will be a good thing," Craig said quietly, "remember the procedures Darcia would do. She used to say that if it is stopped midway, the harm done to the cell structure would be worse than the procedure."

"You remember that?" Jesse said quietly, "I thought you didn't remember much from your time in the madhouse."

"I didn't'," Craig frowned, "that just came to me. I don't understand why I'm beginning to remember things I never used to."

"It's the equaliser," Tamhas spoke as Breanna, David, and he joined the group outside the door, "it is unravelling the restrictions Darcia placed on you as a person and your abilities."

"I don't understand why she put restrictions on us," Kelvin muttered, wincing again as he looked painfully at the door panel.

"The admiral used to say that genetic engineering begins to mutate cell structure after a time," Tamhas said, "putting restrictions in place gave the engineer a form of protection, so to speak."

"We need to get her out of there," Kelvin said, pulling his weapon and pointing it at the lock.

"No," Tamhas shouted, moving to stop him only to be body blocked by Trevet, "get out of my way."

"We need to get her out of there," Trevet said, glaring at his brother, "you had your chance."

"If you don't do it correctly, you will kill her," Tamhas shouted, "you can get her out at a point, but not until then. Let me through."

"Trev," Craig called, "let him through."

"Kelvin," Breanna spoke quietly, "lower your weapon."

Kelvin turned toward her, "You cannot hear her screams."

"I can," Breanna said, bracing her feet apart and dropping her arms to her side like a gunslinger, "but if you shoot that panel and kill her, it will be the last thing you do."

Kelvin sighed, lowered and holstered his weapon before stepping away from the door.

"Trevet double," Craig called, "you're up."

"Tamhas," Tamhas supplied, nodding before moving to the door.

Craig looked at Trevet questioningly.

"He's my twin," Trevet nodded, "and that is his name."

"Ah," Craig nodded, "we'll do the official stuff as soon as Fiona is out of there."

"Bre," Cara called, "I've gotten hold of Rose and Hana. They are on their way up. Sorry I wasn't here. I had to find an area of the house where my ability works ."

"Thanks, Cara," Breanna said, "where is Oran?"

"On his way to the coordinates I gave him," Cara said, "what is going on here?"

"Tamhas is doing something with the door, so we can get Fiona out," Breanna said, "he is Trevet's twin."

"I can see," Cara grinned, "but he isn't as tense as Trev is."

"How do you know that?" Breanna frowned at Cara.

"Oh, I can see it in his structure," Cara said, "another thing to get used to."

"When did that start?" Breanna asked.

"Just after I got here," Cara sighed, "along with my senses becoming even more sensitive than they already are."

"Looks like that is happening to everyone," Breanna nodded toward Craig, "he is beginning to remember events and conversations from the madhouse."

"I thought he didn't remember a thing," Cara sounded surprised.

"So did he," Breanna grinned, "but surprises seem to be the order of the day."

"What's the word Tamhas," Craig called, "can we get her out without causing more harm?"

"She seems to be in the middle of a restriction lift," Tamhas said, "it doesn't look like this was a pre-set process."

"Explain," Clio said from her spot next to the window.

"The process can be pre-set for a specific person, or it can be a random restriction lift," Tamhas said, focusing on the panel in front of him. "The machine can sense restrictions put in place and work on the person randomly, as I think happened with ... Fiona."

"What do you mean, pre-set?" Jarred asked, moving toward Tamhas.

"If a specific restriction is to be lifted, lessened or removed," Tamhas looked up, meeting Jarred's concerned gaze, "it can be set to work on only that restriction."

"Was Craig correct in what he said about procedures?" Scott asked, crossing his arms over his chest, "will interrupting her present process damage her."

Tamhas looked between the group assembled in front of the door panel. He swallowed hard as fear entered his eyes.

"Um ..." he cleared his throat, taking a step back.

"Tam," Trevet spoke softly, "we just want answers. No one is going to hurt you."

"I've heard that before," Tamhas said, "it was a lie."

"Well, it isn't now," Clio spoke softly, "we just want to understand what will happen to Fiona if we pull the plug right now."

"She'll die," he whispered, "there is another minute or two to the process, and then the door will open on its own."

"You're telling us," Craig said, "that a session in this contraption that is not pre-set can go on for hours, and there is nothing we can do for the person inside."

"It won't go on for hours," Tamhas spluttered, "only as long as required without eliminating the person inside."

"It monitors the vitals while working on the person," Scott provided. "If the vitals drop below the survival requirement, the process finishes on the restriction it is busy with and releases the person from the room."

"How did you know that?" Tamhas frowned.

"I ... read it on the stand-alone server attached to the room and the equaliser inside," Scott said quietly, "everyone was busy being tough. I thought I would wait until I could talk without the aggression and the noise."

"Where is Fiona?" Rose asked as she and Hana joined the group.

Breanna pointed at the panel just as the whirring stopped and the door whooshed open, revealing an unconscious Fiona on the room floor. Quickly the two women moved forward.

"No," Tamhas called, "if you go in there, the process will start again."

"Then how do we get her out?" Hana asked, exasperation in her voice.

"Perhaps I may help?" Harvey stepped from the shadows.

"How long have you been there?" Craig asked, frowning at the sudden appearance.

"Long enough to know I'm the only one who can assist," Harvey said, unperturbed by Craig's expression.

"Harvey," Breanna came toward him, "please can you retrieve Fiona."

"Certainly," he smiled, nodded and entered the room.

A moment later, he returned with Fiona in his arms, "She seems to be breathing but unconscious."

"Is there somewhere we can take her to attend to her medically," Rose asked quietly, smiling at Harvey.

"I believe there is," Harvey smiled in return, "follow me, ladies."

Craig looked at Breanna, who shook her head and sighed, "I'll be with them until I know what has happened with Fiona."

Jenkins appeared just then from the same spot Harvey had come from, surprising everyone.

"If I may go with them," he said, addressing Breanna, "then you can return to your creativity with the extraction."

"Thanks, Jenkins, but I need a diversion right now," Breanna said, grinning, "show me where they are going."

Acknowledging her request with a nod, the two left the area.

"If anyone else thinks about going in there until we know what it does, the repercussions will be on you," Craig said, meeting the gaze of each person present. "We don't even know if Fiona will make it at this time. Please don't make it worse by putting yourself in danger along with her."

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

"Do you think she did it on purpose?" Kelvin asked, worry marring his forehead in a pensive frown.

"What are you asking?" Clio stepped away from the window she had occupied.

"I was wondering if she knew what she was doing and perhaps hoped it would end here," Kelvin shrugged.

"You're wondering if Fiona was suicidal," Oran frowned, stepping away from Cara's side.

"Knowing what we know now," Kelvin said, "the notion does cross the mind."

"Well then uncross your mind," Oran ground out, "Fiona is not like that. She probably heard a new frequency and came here to find it. If you think she is someone who would end her own life ..."

"Oran," Cara stepped in front of her brother, "you've become upset over someone's opinion."

Oran frowned, rubbing his forehead, "No," he shook his head, "no, it's more than that. If he can think that about Fiona, what is stopping him from thinking that about any of us."

"He has a point," Clio said, "but no one here is suicidal. If we were, we would be purposefully picking fights with anyone and everyone trying to get ourselves killed."

"The voice of reason," Craig said, raising his arms to the shoulder height, "thank you, Clio. Oran, we need to talk. Cara, you as well. Everyone else back to whatever you were doing before we ended up here."

The group slowly moved away in different directions leaving Cara, Oran and Craig.

"What's going on?" Craig asked, "you've never challenged someone over such a small issue before."

"I don't understand it myself," Oran shook his head, "it's as if something came loose."

Craig nodded, "There are a lot of us feeling that way. It's damn scary and totally unpredictable. Why don't you have Rose or Hana check you out? Cara, you as well."

"Why me?" Cara frowned.

"You're identical twins," Craig pointed out, "if it happens to one, it may happen to both of you. We just need to know."

"Makes sense. If I need to get checked out, I will," Cara nodded, "we just have to find them first."

"Thank you," Craig nodded, "let's get some coffee."

"Perhaps something stronger," Oran grinned, "I don't think coffee will cut it after that."

Chuckling, they made their way toward the kitchen, chatting amicably.

Hana and Rose followed Harvey to a large room near the stairs to the basement cave. The room was large, with every possible medical amenity required with over twenty beds and cubicles. Harvey moved to the very end of the room, placing Fiona gently on the bed.

"What was Breanna's dad expecting to happen?" Hana asked, looking around at the cabinets stocked with every imaginable medication.

"This was where all the beings Darcia got hold of were brought," Harvey said quietly, "well ... those the Admiral could find. He even helped some of those who came from Miss Breanna's safe house."

"We didn't know he knew about the safe house," Hana frowned, "but wasn't he in the madhouse by then."

"Sadly, yes," Harvey said, "but we were given the task of "normalising" those who desired it or needed it."

Nodding, Rose came forward, smiling gently. She placed a hand on his arm, "Thank you, Mr Harvey."

Harvey moved out of the way but did not leave the room; instead, he moved toward a cabinet where he brought out a heart rate monitor machine.

"We'll need to hear what is happening inside," he said, "I know that everyone else can probably hear it, but I would also like to be able to use my medic skills."

"We'll hook her up," Hana smiled thankfully, "you'll know what she will need since you've obviously been through this before."

"You are astute," Harvey grinned, "I'll get on it right away."

The three began working in harmony, attending to Fiona. Hana and Rose had just started their analysis of the happenings inside Fiona when Jenkins and Breanna arrived.

"Is she okay?" Breanna frowned, looking at all the machines and drips attached to Fiona.

"We'll tell you in a moment," Hana said, "Harvey has assisted with everything to keep Fiona comfortable until we know what is happening with her."

"Thank you, Harvey," Breanna nodded toward the older man, "I take it you have done this a few times."

"A few," Harvey smiled, "I have a little field medic experience and have offered my assistance wherever needed."

"I'll get some refreshment," Jenkins said to Harvey, "I'm not sure about the rest of you, but I would like something to snack on and drink."

"Ah ... yes," Breanna frowned, "I'm not sure the last time I ate."

Jenkins left the room, and silence fell as Hana and Rose moved their hands in unison over Fiona's body.

"Can you feel that injury?" Hana asked Rose.

"Yes," Rose nodded, "but it is healing itself."

"Interesting," Hana frowned in concentration, "Fiona had many procedures done to her, but Darcia restricted most of them. Limiting her abilities."

"It seems you are correct," Rose hesitated, closed her eyes a moment, reopened them and continued with her analysis.

Jenkins returned with a tray of dip and crudities, a pot of coffee and a plate of delicious-looking chocolate cupcakes.

"Thank you, Jenkins," Breanna smiled as she took the cup of coffee and a small plate holding a little of everything, "I didn't think I could eat, but it smells delicious."

"Senses heightening," he murmured, "the restrictions are lifting on everyone."

"How would you know?" Breanna asked, biting into the heavenly-tasting cupcake.

"I've been whispering to everyone, and they have heard me," Jenkins smiled, "the hearing is the last of the senses to have the restriction lifted.

Breanna's attention went back to the bed and the three people working around it.

Harvey watched as Hana and Rose worked on and with Fiona. Although he had made it a rule never to get involved with someone who was enhanced, he could not help but notice Rose. She was part of the clone group, but she was nothing like the others. It struck him as fantastic that each of them had their own personality and characteristics even though they were all from Tina. The fact that Tina was trailing a few feet behind Rose meant that Rose had clearly proven to be her own person.

While Rose was a shy, polite and gentle soul, she was also tenacious and caring, with the added bonus of being a determined healer. Her innocence, in most matters, brought her to Harvey's notice in the first place. She still blushed if she caught the meaning of anything a little too spicy for her to handle. Where Daisy or Cala would have a cutting or reciprocal come back, Rose would simply become quiet and somehow fade into the background. Softly spoken, strong emotionally but not a demonstrative person. She was one of the spokes in a wheel and quietly turned with the others.

Harvey watched as she suddenly blinked quickly, breathed in deeply and closed her eyes.

"What is wrong with her?" he asked, moving to her side.

"Don't touch her," Hana said quickly, "not that I don't trust you. One of the others is using her ability for something."

Cara came into the room just then, "Bre," she called, motioning to be followed and left again.

"Keep me updated," Breanna said while handing her cup and plate to Jenkins before leaving the room.

"What is going on?" Harvey looked at Hana.

"No idea," Hana said, smiling slightly, "I'll update Cara about Fiona. But you're more worried about Rose, aren't you."

"Is it that obvious?" Harvey whispered.

"Only when you're in the room with her," Hana smiled gently, "it's fine with everyone who cares about Rose. We just want her to be happy."

Harvey nodded, "Will she want something like this?" Harvey generally indicated, "Will she want someone like me?"

"Someone normal," Hana said thoughtfully, "only Rose can answer that."

Harvey nodded, "Is anyone else interested in Rose?"

"I haven't seen anyone being interested in Rose," Hana frowned in thought, "doesn't mean there isn't anyone. Just haven't seen anyone with interest all over their features."

Harvey nodded again. Rose gasped. Rapidly blinked as her eyes opened, staring at Hana with panic on her features.

"Tina," she panted, "is coming here. She is ... not okay."

"Explain, not okay," Hana spoke gently as she took hold of Rose's shaking hands.

"She isn't waking up," Rose said, "she seems to have something happening internally, but I'm not sure what."

"We'll do everything we can for her," Harvey said quietly, gently laying a hand on Rose's shoulder.

"Thank you," Rose nodded, blinking tears away, "what if she ..." she swallowed hard.

"That is not going to happen," Hana said quietly, "are you going to be able to work with me ..." Rose looked up at Hana, "... on Tina."

Rose cleared her throat while swiping at the tears on her eyelashes, "Yes, of course."

"Harvey, can you assist the moment she comes in," Hana looked at him then, "with the normal human requirements."

"Yes," Harvey nodded, "of course."

He moved to make preparations while glancing at Rose every now and again. Even with the knowledge that someone as close as Tina was in need, Rose was holding it together better than a field medic. A smile spread over his face as his heart swelled with pride. She was a fantastic and amazing woman.

Craig felt restless. Tina would not leave his mind. Since sharing living quarters and finally a bed, they had become more intimate than he thought she would allow. In the last week, though, she had complained of constant tiredness, slept a lot and didn't seem to have an appetite. Craig knew Tina ate spasmodically when stressed. Closing the book, he stood and pushed it back into place on the shelf. Perhaps he would see if she had woken yet. She had slept most of the afternoon into the night, and as it was getting close to midnight, Tina should be waking soon.

"Craig," Cara called, "you in here."

Craig turned to the embossed double door of the room, "What is it?"

"Of course," she shook her head, "you would be in the library in the part of the house I can't use my ability. You need to come with me. Now."

Cold dread curled in his stomach as he followed her out the door, "Where are we going?"

"The infirmary," Cara said, "Tina has just been taken there."

"What?" Craig grabbed Cara's arm, stopping midstride, "what happened?"

"Cala went to check on her," Cara said, "she couldn't wake her up. Scott came to find Cala, and I was asked to get Breanna. Bre asked Kyle to take Tina to the infirmary where Rose and Hana are working on Fiona."

"Take me there," Craig swallowed hard as he turned and ran with Cara to the infirmary. If he lost Tina, someone who accepted him for who he was. He would never forgive himself.

Bursting into the infirmary, he stumbled to the end of the bed. Craig sucked air into his clenching lungs. Tina's limp form lay on the bed between Hana and Rose while Harvey attached a heart monitor and drip. He knew he felt intense emotions for this woman but never had he realised it was she who held his life and heart in her hands.

"Is she ..." his voice disappeared, stopping him from finishing the sentence.

"We don't know anything yet," Breanna spoke from beside him, quietly covering his fisted hand hanging at his side with her own. On an impulse, he opened his fist and accepted her smaller hand in his. A memory of walking her through the garden below the main floor windows flashed through his mind. That was the last time he held either of his sister's hands.

"I can't lose her," he whispered, gripping Breanna's offered comfort like a lifeline.

"You won't," Breanna murmured, "Tina is a strong woman. Besides, I doubt Rose is going to allow her to die."

Nodding, Craig glanced around the room. Cala stood a few feet away, pale and staring blankly. Kyle stood at her side, an arm around her shoulders, talking to her quietly.

"Will she be okay," Craig asked.

"Calla? I don't know," Breanna sighed, "she is in shock at the moment. Craig, have some coffee."

"I don't want coffee," Craig said mechanically, "I want Tina to be okay."

"Craig, has Tina been different lately?" Harvey asked while he worked with Rose and Hana.

"If you mean has anything out of character happened, then yes," Craig frowned, "she has been complaining of being overly tired lately."

Rose froze over Tina's abdomen, turning startled eyes to Cala, who sucked in a deep breath.

"What is it?" Craig asked.

"Hana," Rose croaked, "please check me."

Hana moved her hands to the same position as Rose had hers, "Oh my," she swallowed hard before looking at Craig, "when was the last time you two ..." she blushed deeply, "... were intimate."

Craig frowned at the question. Clamping his hand around Breanna's tightly, "A few weeks ago. Why?"

"Harvey, did the blood work finish running?" Hana whispered.

"It did," he said, showing the paper to the women. Hana, Rose and Harvey looked among themselves before Harvey cleared his throat, "It would seem Tina is pregnant."

"What?" Breanna, Craig and Kyle spoke in unison.

"It has never been heard of before between enhanced and normal humans," Harvey said. "I ran some blood tests to ensure all bases were covered and will double-check with an ultrasound. Don't forget the word of both of these ladies to back up the evidence."

"Then why do I feel like it isn't a good thing," Craig whispered hoarsely.

"Harvey," Hana whispered, unable to look at anyone in the room.

"Normally, the DNA combination is not compatible," Harvey said quietly.

"Compatible for who?" Craig murmured.

"For the mother," Harvey finished quietly.

"Have there been any success stories?" Breanna winced a little as Craig continued to crush her hand.

"Only two that we know of," Harvey murmured, "Craig, we will do everything we can for Tina. Right now, why don't you go with Cala and Kyle to get that stiff drink."

Craig nodded absently as he felt Kyle's hand on his shoulder, turning and moving him out of the room. A glass of amber liquid was pushed into his hand as a hand on his shoulder helped him sit in a chair. Sipping absently at the amber liquid, feeling its burn as it started chasing away the ice running through his veins.

Tina may die.

They may be parents

He may be a father.

How did it happen? Not the biology of it; he knew that part. It was supposed to be the one thing that could never happen, but it had ... to him ... to Tina. Gasping, he tipped the glass emptying the stinging liquid and hoping it would warm the area frozen in fear. Fear of losing the one thing that meant everything to him.