Part 2 “Day 31 Dear Kari, It’s now been a little over month or so since my capture and about a month since Ken started the ritual of climbing into bed with me after he thinks I’m asleep.  If the others ever do rescue me I doubt I’ll ever be able to sleep. I just lie awake in bed, breathing quietly waiting for him to come.  I know I only mentioned it the one time to you, but I always thought that it would stop quickly, but it still happens. It’s the same ritual every night: I’m sent to bed, I lay awake I don’t know how long, and suddenly he climbs in beside me. I never hear the door open, it’s unnerving.  Anyways I better go Gatomon is about to rip out my hair she’s brushing it so hard. –Yolei” “ I really don’t think he wants me bald.” Yolei winced as Gatomon pulled the brush through again. “ Oops. Sorry Yolei. I’m just distracted that’s all.” She dropped the brush and climbed off the bed. “ Why? What’s going on today?” Yolei questioned pulling out her wardrobe for the day. “ This is a bad day; it always is. Don’t make him angry today. He’ll hurt you.” Gatomon scurried across the room, and opened the door to leave; “ I’ll be back for you in time for breakfast.” ***  Yolei examined the wound on Gatomon’s back. “ Usually you at least have to do something to make him hurt you. Are you okay?” “ I’ve had worse trust me.” Gatomon sighed and looked up at Yolei. “ How’s your arm?” Yolei shifted her arm and glanced at the welt. “ It’s not that bad. Still a bit sore though.” “ I can’t believe you did that. Why did you do it?” Gatomon inquired. “ It just felt right.” Yolei picked up her journal. “ I mean Wormmon hadn’t done anything.” “ The Master thought he had.” “ I know, but that doesn’t matter to me.” “ It should; the Master could have gotten really angry.”  Gatomon warned. Yolei bit her lip, “ I can’t explain it.  I just had to react.  Although I think the Master was in too much shock to do anything to me.” “ It’s like I said, no one has ever done that before. I mean you took the beating that Wormmon was gonna get.” “ I’m no hero, don’t make a big deal out of it.” Yolei rolled her eyes. “ Maybe that crest of yours still works.” Gatomon whispered. Yolei shook her head, “ I very much doubt that.” “ Did you want me to get your tea?” “ No I won’t be able to sleep anyway. Besides, I’m sure the Master is still on the warpath. Just go to bed Gatomon I’m sure things will look better in the morning.” “ As you wish.” Gatomon bowed and left the room. “ Day 31 (still… it’s night now) Dear Kari, I meant to write more this morning since I haven’t written recently.  I’m keeping track of the days by making marks on the inside of the cover.  This had to be the worst day of my capture, since the first.  I know that so far all I’ve told you about is what has happened to everyone else since your death, but I don’t know if I want to talk about me.  Besides it’s a long tale and I need to get my sleep for tomorrow.  I’m working with TK tomorrow; I work with him every other day.  After the first time I saw him I told myself that I’d never go down to the dungeon again.  I hate to say this but, Kari, he really scares me sometimes. It took me ten days to work up the courage to go back and when I did I saw nothing. I know what death is, because I see it his eyes. There is nothing there; he is empty.  I went back four times, I just sat there and talked to him. Then finally I saw what makes me continue: he peeked out.  You know just like when you were a kid and would play ‘hide and go seek’ and you would look out to see if your parents were still seeking you out.  Well that’s what he did; he ‘peeked’ out at me, while I was telling him a story. I wanted to react Kari, god, just like in the old days: jumping around screaming and shouting for joy, but I couldn’t. So all I did was continue with my story and hoped that he was somehow listening.  I guess I’ll tell you about the day I had. Basically Ken was like death-con-one today. Everything, I mean EVERYTHING set him off.  I hate it when he hits the digimon in front of me; he doesn’t understand that they really feel pain.  He hurt Gatomon terribly: just because.  I swear, one minute they’re walking next to each other the next he’s lashing her with that damn whip.  My breaking point came during dinner. Wormmon called Ken by his name and hell broke lose. Ken flipped the table over and went to strike Wormmon with his whip, and before I knew what I was doing I was in his path.  I have a nasty looking welt on my arm from blocking the shot.  I really surprised Ken and everyone else (including me) for that matter. He ordered us all out of his presence.  Kari, I hate to say this, but you know that one time we talked about Ken being the emperor and everything and I told you I got this really odd feeling whenever I got near him.  Forgive me Kari, I think you’re the only one who could, but I think I love him despite everything, and I hate myself for it.  One other thing I’ve been failing to mention, he kisses me before he sends me to bed.  Not like a peck on the cheek or something like that. I’m talking, kisses me until I forget where I am, then he orders to bed. I think he just likes to hear me whimper when he pulls away. I hate my life. I mean I’ve hated it for a while, but I’m convinced it’s going down into deeper depths of Hell.  Kari, I really love him.  Shit. That just sounds wrong. I mean I hate everything he does but I’m still attracted to him. Stupid chemistry. One of these days I’m gonna fix myself or become a lesbian or something; anything to get away from males.  Okay I’ve really gotta crash, I’m supposed to be up bright and early tomorrow. –Yolei” Yolei sighed and placed the diary on her night-stand, “ It’s not like I’m gonna be sleeping anyhow.” She grumbled clicking off her lamp and settling in under her covers. *** ‘ Nine thousand five, Nine thousand six.’ Yolei thought idly as the minutes ticked away. ‘ Not that I could tell what time it is. Since I can’t get him to give me a fricking clock.’  She sighed, trying to decide if it was worth sitting up to beat on her pillow for a while. ‘Might make me feel better. But than I actually have to move and as much I’m not sleeping, I am still comfortable. Why were you so angry today, Ken? What happened on this date that made you so bitter? I think entirely too much…’ Yolei probably would have continued on her current mental tirade, but the bed creaked on the other side. She fought to keep her body still and her breathing normal.  She felt the breeze as the covered were pulled back and the other person brushed against her as he moved.  He settled in parallel behind her as always, but there were differences Yolei could not ignore.  If this had been any of the previous night he would have simply draped his arm over her middle and lay his head next to hers.  Tonight however, his trouble mood seemed to be following him.  His arms gripped at her; pulling her to him as if he were in some sort of panicked state. He buried his head in her shoulder as he began to tremble. Yolei was frozen to the spot, her breath a little shaky as she tried to fathom what was going on. She listened to his labored breathing, ‘ What’s going on? Is he scared or hurt? Duh! He’s obviously hurting; and you call yourself smart…’ Yolei wasn’t sure if she should even move, it might make him angry with her, if she caught him in a moment of weakness.  ‘Probably best if I just lay here and pretend to sleep unless he tries to wake me.’ “ I’m sorry.” Came the guilt-ridden voice of the man clinging to her. “ I didn’t mean for it to happen.” ‘ He’s crying’ Part of Yolei screamed out for her to comfort him, but the other interjected just as loudly. ‘Doesn’t he deserve to? Look at everything he’s done! Let him suffer.’  Yolei winced her softer half winning with the argument: ‘ But he needs me, that’s why he came.’  Moving tentatively to reduce the risk of startling him, she reached up and brushed a bit of his hair back with the tips of her fingers. “ Ken.” Her soft whisper and her gentle touch drew his eyes up to meet hers.  He looked into her responsive features for only a moment, before seizing her again. Tears rolled down his cheeks as he spoke in broken phrases. “ I killed him…. Made him go away… I didn’t mean to…I’m sorry.” Yolei just held him and let him cry. Every so often she would whisper a word or two of comfort.  She simply waited for him to either tell her what was wrong or her order to forget what happened. His sobs ceased, but neither of them spoke. Yolei was just waiting for him to speak, but he didn’t. For the second time that night Ken shocked her down to the core.  He brushed his lips over the place where her neck met her jaw. Tenderly and purposely he kissed his way up her face, until he reached her lips. He kissed her roughly his pain flowing through him as he strained for human contact. He suddenly stopped, ‘Damn this day. I’ve completely lost it. I’ve got to gain some sort of control.  I will not resort to raping someone, just because I want to escape a damn ghost.’  He noticed for the first time how close they really were. He was hovering over her, supporting himself with his arms. He opened his mouth to tell her that he had to leave, when she opened hers and took the breath from his lungs. “ Don’t stop.” She whispered in a voice raw with emotion. “ You don’t know what you’re requesting.” He hissed threw clenched teeth, as he fought to keep control. Yolei grabbed the back of his neck and forced his head down towards her. She brushed her lips over his spoke, “ Yes I do.” *** Ken kissed her lips one more time before he lay down next to her.  She remained still for a moment indecision marking her face. He didn’t know what to say to her, but she cut him off. “ I guess this screws the formalities in this room too, huh?” She yawned sleepily. He chuckled and shook his head, “ My pet you have a way with words.” Yolei shrugged her shoulders as she rolled over and leaned towards her nightstand. “ What are you doing?” He questioned. “ I want to turn on the lamp. I want to see your eyes better.” She explained looking back at him. He snorted angrily. Yolei touched the side of his face, “ Please.” “ Fine, if it means that much to you.” A genuine smile lit up her features; before she turned back to the lamp she flipped the switch, but set the lamp on the floor.  She rearranged her position until she comfortably lying on her stomach close enough to touch him but far enough away so she could see his eyes. The light from the lamp cast eerie shadows throughout the room and gave Ken an even darker look, if that was possible.  “ That’s better.” She smiled gently, before a small crash sounded next to her. She glanced over the edge, “ Just my diary.” She settled back under sheet. “ You are awfully fond of that thing.” He pointed out. “ My only privacy. You’ve probably got cameras in my bathroom.” She lightheartedly accused. Ken looked up and the ceiling and whistled innocently. Yolei pushed herself up and managed to pin his arms. She leaned against him. “ I hope that was a joke.” He didn’t seem too shaken by her reaction. “ And what it’s not.” She smiled and ran her tongue over his lips, before kissing him teasingly. “ I’ll have to make you pay somehow.” She whispered against him. He smiled lazily, “ That I would like to see.” She started to pull away, “ Maybe I’ll just leave you hanging.” Ken gripped her arms and pulled her down next to him. “ Not just yet though.” Yolei nodded and lay quiet for a time, before she felt his fingers tracing her scars once again. She sighed, “ What is it?” “ Huh?” He looked at her confused. “ You do that whenever you’re thinking. You know usually when people develop a physical tell, they develop it on their own person.” She smirked gaining the upper hand for a moment. “ Maybe I like your body better.” He kissed the top on one the scars. Yolei turned red for the first time all night. Ken laughed when he looked at her, “ That’s what it takes to make you blush.” “ I’m not used to being complimented.” She defended. “ So that would mean you’re used to sleeping with people.” He countered. Yolei’s face fell and she attempted to move away from his arms but he caught her. “ Yolei, I’m sorry that was uncalled for.” He whispered in her ear. Yolei closed her eyes and took a deep breath, “ S’okay.” She murmured and allowed him to move her back next to him. “ Now your thinking.” He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. She smiled sadly, “ I want you to change. I want you to understand that this isn’t right.” “ You mean you want me to admit you’re right about this world and everything in it.” He questioned. “ Aren’t I proof enough? I mean the merge and everything surrounding it has to mean something.” “ They are doing amazing things with genetics now a days. You can infuse a person with DNA from any animal.” “ That isn’t what I’m getting at and you know it. I mean that in order to merge the way I did with Hawkmon, we had to be equal.” “ No you didn’t. They do experiments with animal and human DNA all the time. That doesn’t make the two subjects equal. Are you saying that you’re no better than a dog?” Yolei released a frustrated breath, “ Sometimes I wonder.” She then yawned; her exhaustion was catching up to her in the worst way. “ Let me tell you something.” He admitted pushing a strand of her hair away from her face. “ I was thinking the same thing. I want you to change. I want you to understand that this is my destiny and my right. You can be one of two things, my slave or my empress.” “ I don’t want to think about it right now.” Yolei curled up against him and tried to ignore how tempting the offer really was. “ Goodnight Yolei.” He kissed the top of head. Yolei held back tears, “ Goodnight Ken.” *** “Day 32…. I hate myself. I slept with him and I don’t even feel guilty, just sick.  I wish I had been the one to die.”   Yolei threw the dairy across the room; it hit the wall with an impressive thud and plopped to the floor.  She lay in bed covered only by the sheet, when a knock on the door sounded.  Her chest tightened up, and she started having trouble breathing, “ Who… who is it?” She managed to squeak out. “ It’s Gatomon.” Now Yolei was really panicked, her chest tightened even more, she grabbed her nightshirt and jerked it over her head.  She scanned the room for anymore incrementing evidence; she didn’t find any and sighed. “ Um… come in.” Gatomon shook her head as she came in, “ You’re still in bed?  Lucky the Master decided to go into the real world for the day.” “ Yeah, lucky.” Yolei muttered. “ Are you feeling, okay?” Gatomon inquired. “ Um…yeah my stomach’s just upset.” Yolei quickly replied. The digimon looked suspicious, “ Do you want me to get you some breakfast?” “ No.” Yolei snapped, before recovering, “ I really don’t think I’m hungry. I’ll just get ready, than eat lunch later, if I feel better.” “ Only if you’re sure.” Gatomon hesitated. “ Positive. I just need a hot shower and to get cleaned up.” Yolei smiled, hoping Gatomon would buy it. “ Very well, as you wish.”  Gatomon left the room. Yolei climbed out of bed and walked over to the mirror. The hollow eyes that were reflecting back at were chilling. The past was coming back to haunt her. *Begin Flashback* “ Have even said you were sorry?” Sora questioned the sixteen-year-old, who only served to shoot her a confused look. “ Why should I it was only casual sex, well that’s not exactly true. But it really isn’t my fault. We got out of control.  He’s the one with the girlfriend, he should have stopped it.” Yolei rolled her eyes. “ Yolei, Izzy is your friend how could you not even care about what happens to him and Lexi, he loves her.” Sora admonished. Yolei twirled a lock of her hair around her finger, “ Yeah, so he should have been the one to stop it.  It’s no secret that I’ve always liked him.” “ That doesn’t justify it.” “ I don’t see why it has to be justified. It was just sex. It’s not like it meant anything to him.” “ It almost cost him Lexi.” Yolei looked shocked, “ She actually forgave him?” “ Where have you been the last 72 hours? I’m sure someone would have told you.” Sora demanded. “ I’ve been at Matt’s. I’ll probably be moving in there. I can’t stay with Izzy anymore.” “ You could go home.” Sora offered, when Yolei snorted, she warned. “ Living with Matt might not be the greatest idea.” “ Why because he almost raped you?” Yolei sniffed. “ I can handle him.” “ He’s stronger than you.” Sora cautioned. “ But I’m a whole lot faster.” Yolei than looked at Sora, concern flashing for the first time in her eyes. “Did he ever apologize?” Sora shook her head, but looked more sad than angry, “ I don’t think he even remembers.” “ He should still apologize. I understand that you have the crest of Love, but he doesn’t deserve to stand in your good graces. I mean you left him for your safety, you should just write him off.” “ That’s the thing, Yolei, grace is a part of love and it forgives when it shouldn’t.” *End Flashback* Yolei blinked and rubbed her forehead, might as well get to work. I haven’t got all day. *** Ken Ichijouji sat at his office staring at the computer screen in front of him, but his mind had long since drifted off to his lover of now two months.  It really was the perfect arrangement for him, no real attachment; she was the perfect slave, but she’d make a better empress. He just had to get her realize that it was her destiny; so far whenever the subject came up, she simply wouldn’t answer.  It was becoming a frustrating situation. “ Mr. Ichijouji?” A meek voice called from the door, interrupting his thoughts. He looked over at the petite blond and instantly cursed the fact that he had a temp secretary.  It didn’t matter how well trained they were, the actual secretary knew schedules, and how to handle problems without having their hands held; temps needed help with everything. Ken flashed a soft smile, “ Yes, Marie, was it? Come on in.” The girl nodded and blushed a bit. ‘ Wonderful, you think I’m cute. I hope you can concentrate over that. I would like to get back to what I was doing.’ He thought as she began to speak. “ I wasn’t sure what you wanted me to do about these invitations.” ‘ I know Ann, left instruction about this.’ “ I mean sir, that some of these aren’t on the list of ones to be ignored.” She rambled a bit. Ken realized that his face had slipped into a scowl. “ I’m sorry Marie. I was lost in though. Why don’t you read me the list of invitations to me?” “ Of course sir, um we have the Hepstuer and Devists Wedding.” Her face crinkled as she read the names from the piece of paper. ‘ That’s Katy’s second wedding I don’t have to go.’ “ It’s on the 3rd of March.” “ No I don’t have time. Send an apology letter.” He brushed some imaginary dust off his desk. “ What should I say?” ‘ Are you really this stupid? Well I suppose it isn’t her fault, she doesn’t know where anything is, but she should attempt.’ Ken laughed, “ I forgot to tell you, I have pre-written apology letters in a file-folder in the desk your using.” “ Oh, I see. Then I’ll just personalize it.” ‘ Wow. You figured something out on your own. Mental note: discover some safe way to make Ann sterile. Three kids is plenty, she doesn’t ever need to go on maternity leave again.’ “ Okay now the rest of these are charity banquets: Let’s see oh there are two on the same day…” “ Send apologies and $300 checks to each.” Marie cocked her head confused. “ I can’t be playing favorites, now can I?” He gave her a dazzling smile. She blushed again and looked quickly back down at her clipboard. “ Okay the last one on the list. It’s another charity ball. Um…it’s for Child Self-Image Improvement. Should I just send your apologies?” ‘ Child Self-Image Improvement? That’s someone’s old-kick, I swear that’s Alexis Wheaton’s charity.’ His eyebrow arched, “ Who is holding the ball?” “ Alexis Wheaton.” ‘ Damn, I hate to be right this time. Only person who holds true charity balls, she gets everything donated and everyone knows it. I can’t miss this one. Shit.’ His lip twitched, but Marie didn’t notice. “ Could read that invitation to me?” “ Of course sir: Mr. Ichijouji, I would request your presence at a banquet for the benefit of….” Ken listened with only mild interest, until she finally finished. “ Marie, send my RSVP.” “ Um…of course, will you be escorting anyone?” “ Yes.” He answer was a bit harsher than he had intended but that damn woman was getting on his nerves. “ I’ll get right on it.” “ Thank you Marie.” He had been tempted to mess up her name, but decided against at the last minute.  He really was going soft. *** “ So what it is?” Yolei asked, as she lay wrapped up in his arms that night. “ Just a charity ball; a crowd of rich snobs looking for a new way to blow their money.” He answered with a growl. “ Isn’t that risky? I mean taking me back into the real world.” Yolei bit her lip. “ Are you in hurry to leave?” “ I didn’t say that.  But the other destined are in the real world.” She looked up at him nervously. “ They’ve been here looking for you.” He pointed out. “ I’m sure they have, but out there they can see me.” She countered. “ Only one of them runs in the circles that I run in.” Ken shook his head, “ And she’s not exactly a threat.” “ You must mean Mimi. Okay, if you’re sure it’s safe.” Yolei felt bile rise in her throat, but she managed to swallow it. ‘ I sound as if I’m trying to stay. But I am trying to stay; I want to stay, there’s no use lying to myself.  I’m in love with the Ken and I’m pathetic enough to be his lap-dog.’ *** Day Whatever (I don’t feel like counting all those stupid marks today) Dear Kari, I haven’t written in a while. There hasn’t been much to say. My routine is pretty much the same every day. Every other day I work with TK. I talk to him, hope he hears me, but I haven’t seen much improvement since that one day he ‘peeked out.’  I need to get him out of here. He needs Matt and the rest of the destined, at least the older ones. The rest of us younger ones have gone psycho, but I already told you about that.  I wish I could get TK out, but I’m too afraid to ask.  Anyway, it’s like I said the pattern follows a normal (if you could this life normal) tend. Ken will spend a few days in the real world, keeping up his company and such, then spend a few days here. But most every night he’s with me.  Sometimes he just holds me as we sleep, and other times we make love until the ‘sun’ comes up.  He usually leaves, while I’m sleeping. I guess he just follows his pattern.  Gatomon surprised me yesterday morning; she came in too fast and caught me picking up my shirt.  She came un-glued not that I blame her or anything, I would have hated me too.  She scratched me on the arm, I made up some story to Ken about how she had slipped and accidentally nicked me.  He bought it, thank goodness. He also brought up the whole Empress thing again.  I don’t want to rule the digimon; I can’t understand why he can’t just leave them alone.  I just can’t bring myself to try to escape. I don’t think I want to. I mean he’s like a drug. You know it’s bad for you and you know in the end all you’re going to be hurt.  But it’s like I said he’s a drug and in the same way he’s addicting. You can’t stop; you don’t want to even though you know you should. You just don’t want to.  –Yolei” *** “ Still mad at me?” Yolei looked at Gatomon as she slammed down the breakfast tray. “ I’ll take that as a yes.” The digimon glared up at her, “ How could you? The others…” “ The others are as screwed up as I am. The only ones that are doing okay are the older ones and they didn’t start off so hot.” Yolei snapped. “ But the others aren’t sleeping with their sworn enemy.” Gatomon accused. “ Davis is so drunk half the time he would know his worst enemy if he were confronted with him.  And Cody’s worst enemy is sun-shine.” Yolei folded her arms over her chest. “ Listen to yourself, you’re getting to be as bad as him.” “ I should have told him you scratched me on purpose!” Yolei screeched. “ You didn’t?” Gatomon questioned. “ Why?” Yolei sighed, “ Because I didn’t want him to hurt you.” “ That still matters to you?” “ No I risked him catching me lying for the heck of it.” Yolei rolled her eyes, and then took a deep breath, “Truce?” “ If you explain: why.” “ I can’t, I don’t even understand it.  The first time it just happened and after that it just became normal.”  Yolei’s eyes filled with tears. Gatomon bit her lip, “ So what are you going to do?” “ Well, for now, nothing. I need to plan some way of getting TK out of here. Ken doesn’t need him for anything so there’s no reason to keep him.” “ What are you going to do?” “ I don’t know maybe I’ll just ask.” Yolei shrugged. “ Is that wise?” Gatomon questioned. “ Is it not wise?” Yolei demanded, “ I’m willing to go out on a limb, but not if it’s gonna get sawed off behind me.” “ I don’t know either way, no one has as much freedom as you have. Well, except Wormmon and he’s here of his own accord.” “ Why is that?” “ Why is what?” “ Wormmon why does he stay, I asked him once and he simply says: the Master needs me.” “ I don’t know. There was a rumor, but I don’t believe it.” Gatomon shook her head. “ What was it?” Yolei wondered. “ I can’t remember, if it comes to me I’ll tell you.” Gatomon walked towards the door. “ Thanks.” Yolei turned away as the door closed and started picking at her bagel. ‘You do remember that rumor. You afraid of the same thing I am. Ken was supposed to be one of us. He was supposed to be one of the digi-destined. What happened to him? Why did he choose this path?’ *** Yolei sat down at the opposite side of TK’s cell and looked at the blank eyes of the young destined. “ So where was I? Oh yeah, I was gonna tell you about Mimi and Matt.  Well Mimi is a fashion model, big surprise there, huh? And Matt was working as a soundboard guy at a record studio.  He stopped playing music after we couldn’t find you.  He pawned like everything owned for…” Yolei trailed off and bit her lip, ‘I am not about to tell TK that his brother was addicted to every destructive thing on the planet. I don’t care if he can hear me or not.’  She shook her head and continued, “…for any sort of distraction he could find.” Yolei talked for a couple hours before she was too tired to continue. She stood and stretched her legs and looked back at TK to catch a slightly less vacant look.  In fact he raised his head and looked at her. “ Matt okay?” He croaked out hoarsely. Yolei couldn’t speak for a moment she was frozen to the spot. “ Yes, Matt’s okay.” She finally managed. “ I go now?” TK started slipping back into his mind. “ I hope so.” Yolei walked a little closer to him, but he threw himself into the wall. “ AWAY! GO AWAY!” He screeched. “ Okay. Okay. TK, it’s okay. I’ve going away now. I’ll be back though.” Yolei slipped out of the cell and sank down against the wall. *** “ What do you mean he spoke to you?”  Ken questioned. Yolei looked down at him, from her position on the ladder, “ Just what I said he spoke to me.  I think he’s improving, well I don’t know that for sure, but I do know that he’s in there…somewhere.” She muttered going back to looking over the books on the shelves. “ What are you looking for?” He asked. “ A book on mental diseases.” She leaned a little to far and slipped off the ladder. She screamed as she fell, but a pair of strong arms caught her. “ You almost needed a book on first aid.” He chuckled, adjusting her in his arms. “ I don’t think I have any books on metal disorders.” Yolei smiled and kissed his cheek, “ Thanks. Do you think you could get me one?” “ Why?” He inquired. “ Because,” She wrapped her arms around his neck, “ if I’m going to be here, I might as well be doing something.” “ I like what you do already.” He kissed her teasingly. Yolei smiled against the kiss; she’d bring TK up later. “ I know.” She smirked knowingly. He set her down gently, “ I’m gonna be gone for a few days this time.” He rested his forehead against hers. Yolei grabbed his hand, “ Well than let’s give you a reason to want to come back.” *** Yolei pulled her glasses down off her nose as she scratched a few notes on her legal pad. “ Now what are you up to?” Gatomon questioned. Yolei rubbed her eyes and put her glasses back on, “ I’ve been trying to figure out why TK went crazy.” “ Does there have to be any more reason than him being in that dungeon?” Gatomon shrugged. “ Yes. There has to be something else, I mean, he held the crest of hope.  Shouldn’t that have sustained him?” Yolei doodled along the edge of her page. “ It didn’t.” Gatomon snipped. “ I’m painfully aware of that fact.  Wait was Ken here during the merge?” Yolei sat up straighter. “ No, he left before the sweep covered the area.” Gatomon informed her. “ Makes sense.” Yolei tapped the pen against the paper. “ What does?” “ That Ken wasn’t affected by the merge. He was just like Joe and Izzy.” Gatomon huffed, “ Except with one difference, he wasn’t one of the destined.” Yolei just looked back down at her notes, “ So Patamon must have been alive at the time of the merge.” “ How do you figure?” “ Because, all of us but Izzy and Joe” She tapped her chin ‘and Ken’ she thought before continuing, “ were in the digital world.  Their digimon were here, but they weren’t.  The other part of this is that they didn’t merge, but they weren’t hurt either.  You were here in the digital world, but Kari wasn’t and you stayed okay, relatively.  But TK didn’t merge with Patamon; I can tell.  Which, could mean that they were both alive here, but weren’t close enough to merge. That might explain it.” Yolei bit her lip. “ Sounds like a stretch to me.” Gatomon cleared the dishes from lunch and walked towards the door. “ I shall return.” “ Thanks for the warning.” Yolei muttered to herself. *** A woman stood next to the door, her brown hair pulled back in a sensible bun, her glasses firmly positioned on her nose. There was a little more weight on her face, than before, but other than that she looked the picture of health.  “Mr. Ichijouji, will that be all?” “ No, I have one more request for you, Ann.” Ken stretched his arms over his head, satisfied with the fact that his sectary had returned. “ Very well sir,” She stood awaiting his next request. “ I need a dress for this young lady.” Ken handed Ann a picture of Yolei.  “ Her measurements are written on the back. I need something perfect for her.” Ann looked over the picture than the words on the back, “ What’s the occasion?” “ Alexis Wheaton’s charity ball.” “ Probably should be black than.” “ Actually I’d like to avoid that color; if possible.” “ Very well, sir.  I’m sure I can come up with something.” Ken smiled, “ I’m sure you will.” He reached under his desk and retrieved a bottle of water, “ Would you like some water?” “ No thank you, sir.” A smirk crossed her features. “ I couldn’t have any caffeine while I was expecting. I’m quite happy with my coffee.” Ken chuckled slightly and the woman left his office. *** Yolei blinked against the smoke that was threatening to blind her.  She pushed her way forward, until she heard the sound.  It sounded like someone crying.  She finally stumbled across a little lavender haired girl huddled against a gigantic stonewall.  Yolei looked at the wall that seemed to stretch for miles in almost every direction.  She knelt by the little girl. “ Sweetie, are you okay?” Yolei asked, touching the child’s shoulder. The little girl responded by throwing her arms around Yolei’s neck.  She shook, terrified and clung to Yolei desperately. “ What’s wrong?” Yolei tried again. The little girl sobbed, “ You let him hurt me.  You said you loved me, but you let him hurt me.” “ What? I didn’t let anyone hurt you.” Yolei attempted to explain. The little girl suddenly looked up at Yolei, “ Yes you did, Mommy. You told me that you loved me, but you let him hurt me.” Yolei pushed slightly away from the child and stared at her in disbelief.  The child had beautiful blue eyes, one of them was blackened, but her color was undeniably Ken’s.  “ I… I …” Yolei stuttered trying to find words. Footsteps sounded hard and heavy against the floor the steady pace made Yolei’s heart stop beating.  The sound was coming closer and closer.  The little girl was now clutching at Yolei in blind panic. “ Don’t let him hurt me, Mommy.  Please don’t let him hurt me.” Yolei held the little girl, but looked behind her towards the wall.  The wall reflected her own image, expect her face was blackened with bruises and littered with scars. *** Yolei shot up in bed screaming. She wrapped her arms around her chest and attempted to banish the images from her mind. “ Yolei, what is it?” Ken touched her shoulder. “ No!” She pulled away sharply. “ Don’t touch me.  I want to be alone! Leave me alone!” She yanked the covers over her shoulders and trembled. “ Yolei, look at me.” Ken touched the side of her face. Yolei smacked his hand away, “ I said don’t touch me!” Ken growled and forced her down against the bed, ignoring Yolei’s frightened whimper. “ I am lord here. You will not tell me what to do.” He tightened his iron grip on her shoulders before giving her a final shake and storming out of the room. Yolei lay quivering in fear; she curled herself into the fetal position and attempted to calm herself. *** “ What do you mean you’re going to try to escape?” Gatomon looked at Yolei like she’d grown a second head. “ One: not so loud. Two: not yet. I need I plan.” Yolei clicked her tongue against the roof of her mouth. “ Why the change of heart?” “ My heart hasn’t changed, but I deserve more than a cage, no matter how pretty it is.” Yolei ran her fingers through her wet hair. “ So what are you going to do?” Gatomon poured Yolei a cup of tea. “ I don’t know, but I’m not leave without you and TK.” Yolei sipped the tea. “ You can’t even get yourself out.” Gatomon snickered. “ Have a little faith.” Yolei grinned.  “ How many days until that ball?” “ It’s tomorrow night.” “ Oh God.” Yolei fell off her chair in shock. *** Yolei closed her eyes as she was pulled into the real world. Ken was standing next to her and led her into one of the bedrooms. “ You can change in here.” He kissed her cheek and left her in the room. Yolei looked around the dark room, and then looked out the window.  The sunset was breath taking, especially with the view from this window.  Yolei leaned her forehead against the cool glass and sighed. ‘When was the last time I watched the sunset? I can’t even remember.’  She walked over to the bed and picked up the dress bag.  She carefully unzipped it and inhaled sharply. She put the dress on, then the jewelry, and then slipped on the shoes.  She pulled her hair up and pinned it in place and finished with her make-up.  ‘How long have I been a captive? I don’t even know the date.’  She squared her shoulders and rallied her courage. Ken looked up as she entered the room.  She was stunning as always; Ann had done an exceptional job picking a dress for her.  The red silk clung to her curves, without looking too tight. The back was high, but front was low. “ You look lovely.” Yolei blushed at the compliment, “ Thanks. But this isn’t exactly in our dress code.” “ Those are for me.” He traced one of her scars through the silk; before he offered her his arm and the two walked down to the limo that was waiting for them. *** Izzy Izumi stared at the woman in front of him.  Her red hair was styled in an elegant French twist; she turned her back to him. “ Zip me up, please?” She requested. He complied, “ You think this will work?” The woman turned to him and smiled. “ Yes. Not a doubt. “ You don’t even know if Ken will bring her.” Izzy pointed out. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck. “ Yes I do, baby.” She kissed his cheek than pulled away. “You may know him there, but I know him here. He likes to gloat.  He’ll bring her for shear fact that he might get caught; it’s an adrenalin rush.” “ I don’t want anyone to get hurt.” Izzy touched her arm. “ Especially you and Yolei.” “ Nobody is going to get hurt, as long as everyone remembers their parts.” Yamato “Matt” Ishida and Mimi Tachikawa smiled from the corner they were contently occupying. “ See, baby, nothing to worry about. Come on people its show time.” The redheaded female flashed a wicked smile. *** Yolei licked her lips nervously; she moved a bit closer to Ken. He looked down at her, slightly amused by her behavior. “ You’ll be fine. Come on we’ll meet the hostess, than you don’t have to do a thing.” He gave her an assuring smile. “ If you say so.” Yolei took a deep breath. ‘I can handle this. I don’t even know any of these people. Nothing to worry about.’ Ken was shacking the hand of a woman that Yolei didn’t get a good look at. “ It’s so nice to see you, Mr. Ichijouji.” The red haired woman gave an enchanting smile. “ Who is this beautiful companion of yours?” Yolei felt her heart stop as Ken introduced her, but the other woman didn’t even react.  “ Alexis, meet Yolei Inoue.” Ken motioned for Yolei to move forward. “ Yolei, meet Alexis Wheaton.” “ Charmed.” Alexis smiled and shook Yolei’s hand. “ It’s nice to see Ken dating someone so eye-catching, maybe it’ll teach him that women come these things to be looked at.” Ken smirked, “ Alexis, you’ll hurt my feelings.” Alexis shook her head, “ No, not you. You’re made of tougher stuff than that.” She touched his arm, “ Now if you two will excuse me, I have a lot of people to greet. Nice seeing you again.” “ You as well Alexis.” Ken led Yolei away, “ Stupid Bitch” He muttered under his breath. Yolei just followed Ken’s led. ‘ What the Hell was that all about?’ She looked up at him. “ Old flame?” She questioned. “ No.” He bristled. Yolei touched his arm reassuringly, “ Don’t worry about it.” She smiled looking at the dance floor,  “ Dance with me?” Ken smiled and led her to the floor without a word. Yolei smiled as they danced, ‘If we could just stay like this.  If only…’ “ Sorry we’re being watched.” Ken apologized. After the two were off the dance floor Ken introduced her to a few of his associates. Yolei wasn’t bothered by the mindless conversation, although she felt a bit stupid, since she hadn’t a clue about anything current. A young black woman gave Yolei a hug and kissed both of her cheeks. As she kissed the cheek away from Ken she whispered, “ Are you okay?” Yolei was shocked but managed a nod. The woman moved to greet Ken and her escort, who had been standing behind her greeted Yolei in the same fashion. Yolei was fighting to keep from crying, Joe Kido was standing in front of her. He kissed both of her cheeks. He whispered against her skin, “ Yolei, we’ve been so worried.” “ I’m okay. I promise.” Yolei assured him. The woman kissed Ken’s cheeks in a gentle fashion, but with the second kiss a threat was spoken softly, “You’re fucked.” Ken’s eyes widened as the young woman pulled he looked at her in shock. His questioning look turned cold, when he noticed Joe. Joe took the woman’s hand, “ Taylor, behave please.” Taylor smiled wickedly, “ Yes, dear.” Joe extended his hand to Ken, who accepted it warily. “ I’m Dr. Joe Kido, this audacious woman is my wife Taylor.  I’m the guest speaker this evening.” “ Nice to meet you. I’m Ken Ichijouji. This is my girlfriend, Yolei Inoue.” Ken managed a cordial smile. “ I’ve heard of you.” Joe kept a perfectly civil smile as he added under his breath, “ If you think you are getting out of here tonight with her, you are sadly mistaken.” The couple walked away, and Ken tightened his grip on Yolei’s hand. “ You’re hurting me.” She hissed in pain. Ken lessened his grip, but didn’t let go. His eyes were scanning the ballroom, for potential threats. “ Did you know about this?” Yolei felt her whole body go cold, ‘He’ll kill me, if I go back, but if don’t he might take it out on TK.’ She shook her head, careful to keep a neutral look on her face. “You know I didn’t.” She insisted. “ We have to get out of here.” Ken growled. “ Excuse me.” The pair turned to see a pair of light blue eyes.  Matt Ishida smiled with a gentleman’s poise as he offered Yolei his arm. “ May I have this dance?” Yolei opened her mouth to decline, for her safety, but the blond cut her off. “ Why thank you dear lady.” Matt led her to the dance floor with one smooth motion. Once they were on the dance floor; Yolei was aware of two things, one that this was how they planned to rescue her and two that Ken was watching her. Matt peered down at her, “ Tell me you’re okay.” “ I am. I promise.” Yolei flinched at the partial lie. “ How long have I been gone?” “ Almost six months.” Matt answered coldly. “ Whoa.” Yolei breathed out. “ The times must have aligned themselves.” “ You can talk to Izzy about it tonight.” “ No.” Yolei hissed. “ What?” Matt looked at her questioningly. “ I can’t let you rescue me.” Yolei stated. Mimi watched Matt dancing with Yolei and unconsciously smoothed her mother-of-pearl colored dress.  She noticed the scowl on Matt’s face and the apprehension on Yolei’s face. Something was very wrong. “ May I have this dance?” The deep voice questioned her from the left. Mimi turned to look at the face of Ken Ichijouji, “ Well I was…” She stuttered, for the first time in years, she’d been caught off guard at social event. He gripped her arm with enough pressure to leave bruises.“ I won’t take no for an answer.” “ Look.” Yolei motioned to Matt. Matt stiffened, “ What the hell does he think he’s doing?” “ Power-play.” Yolei answered. “ It’s simple. If you leave with me; he’ll leave with her.” Matt ground his teeth, “ We can’t just let him take you back.” “ Yes, you can. He’ll take Mimi back instead.” Yolei stared into Matt’s eyes, “Understand this, he doesn’t have any particular affection for her and he’s going to be very angry after a night like tonight.” “ We can’t just let him take you back.” Matt insisted. “ Matt, the chivalry and camaraderie is noted and appreciated, but I have to go back. There are things you don’t understand.” Yolei pleaded. “ Just walk me over there, switch partners and call off the plan.” Matt was silent as the two kept dancing. “ Please, Matt. If you knew what I know, you’d let me go.” Yolei felt tears stinging her eyes. Matt finally exhaled a deep breath, “ Yolei, you are like a little sister to me. I can’t lose anyone else.” He was shaking a bit. “ Trust me.” Yolei started to move in Ken’s direction. Matt didn’t fight Yolei and handed her to Ken, and retrieved a terrified Mimi. Mimi looked at Matt with a mixture of confusion and relief. “ How did you know?” “ Yolei.” Matt answered. *** Yolei walked back into the little room she’d been in before the ball and changed back into her street clothes.  She walked out, stood in front of him, and inhaled as the pair transported back into the digital world.  They were standing in the studying; Ken still in his tux from the party. “ You should have warned me!” He growled at her angrily. “ I couldn’t have known.  Until I saw Joe I was as clueless as you were.” Yolei stiffened, seeing some of the others had for some reason charged her up. “ This isn’t my fault. You knew Mimi, might be there; don’t blame me.” Ken gripped her arm. “ I can blame, whomever I want.” Yolei felt some of her strength returning to her, “ That may be true, but this doesn’t make it my fault.” Ken shoved her into a chair, “ What were you talking to that moron about that?” ‘Be specific I’ve been dealing with them all night.’ Yolei took a deep breath, “ I told him I had to come back.” “ Wonderful! You have to be the most stupid person I have ever come in contact with!  Just tell him about his brother! He’ll never stop now!” Ken yelled. Yolei jumped out of the chair, “ He never stopped to begin with! And for your information I didn’t tell him about TK!” Ken took a step closer to her, “ Why aren’t you afraid?” “ Because I don’t care about myself anymore!” Yolei drew a breath, gathered up all her courage and demanded. “ I want you to let TK go!” “ Why should I?” Ken challenged. “ Because he needs his brother Ken!” Yolei felt tears burning her eyes. “ That’s what he said to me Ken.  He asked in his words: How is Matt?  He needs his brother! Why can’t you understand that!?!  Ken, TK is trapped in his mind; he’s scared and he wants the one thing that always seemed safe to him: Matt.  TK needs his older brother!” Ken had been clenching his fists during Yolei’s speech, trying to block it out. At her last phrase he exploded in rage and struck her across the face sending her to the floor. “ You little Bitch. What haven’t I given you!?! And you dare treat me like this!?!” Yolei picked herself up off the floor. Her voice was shacking, but clear, “ Ken, this is pretty cage. You have given me every thing I could want; but I don’t have my freedom and that makes this place a cage. As much as I love you, I can’t stay and won’t change my mind.  TK needs his brother!” “ Get out of my sight.” Ken had turned his back on her. “ No.” Yolei started trembling, but was determined to hold her ground. Ken whirled around to face her, the rage evident on his face. “ Leave or I’ll kill you.” Yolei felt her feet shifting, but she simply looked at them instead of moving. Ken grabbed her hair and threw her against one of the bookshelves. He pinned her throat with his hands, cutting off her oxygen. Yolei struggled against him until she felt her mind start to cloud. She felt herself lose consciousness, ‘ Sorry guys.’ *** Yolei felt something cool against her face, she struggled to open her eyes and found that only one of them complied. “ Whatever you’re about to try. Don’t try sitting up.” Gatomon’s voice warned. Yolei decided that was a good plan, “ Am I alive?” “ That’s the verdict for the moment.” Gatomon responded sadly. “ I hurt everywhere.” Yolei complained. “ You should be thanking Wormmon for that.” Gatomon applied the compress against Yolei’s cheek. “ Please, speak in simple, very clear statements. I just got the shit knocked out of me and everything is a little fuzzy. So cut the sarcasm and talk straight.” Yolei pleaded. “ Wormmon stopped the Master from killing you.  I guess he remembered you helping him.” Yolei felt sick to her stomach, “ Is he…? I mean did Ken…?” Yolei couldn’t finish the question. “ No.” Gatomon answered quickly, “ He got the beating of his digital life though; you think you feel bad.” “ So where am I?” Yolei licked her dry lips. “ We’re in your room.  I can treat your wounds and give you water, but I can’t give you any food.” Gatomon bowed her head. “ I’m sorry.” “ This isn’t you’re fault.” Yolei assured her. The door opened slowly and the Kaiser entered the room. Gatomon helped Yolei struggle to a sitting position. “ Yes Master?” Yolei asked her body quivering in pain. “ I want you to leave.” He coldly informed her, “ I kidnapped you because I wanted to use you for my own pleasure; now you’re not worth it.” Yolei felt her eyes burning, but held back her tears, “ I’m not leaving without TK and Gatomon.” Gatomon looked up at Yolei, her eyes wide with disbelief. “ You don’t seem to understand I’m giving you, your life.” He spoke slowly uncoiling his whip with last few words. “ This is not a bargain. This is my order.” “ I won’t leave them.” Yolei winced as the whip cracked against her leg, drawing blood. “ You are walking out of here.” He explained, before a cruel smile pasted over his lips. “ If you want to take them with you; carry them.” “ Fine.” Yolei could feel every muscle in her body cry out as pulled herself to her feet. Her body trembled as pain surged through her system. ‘If I can take the wings; I can take this.’ The Kaiser stood silent as Gatomon picked up Yolei’s jacket helped her into it. “Starting now.” He glared at the pair. “ Fine.” Yolei opened her arms and gathered up Gatomon. Her first steps were unsteady and after four Yolei felt the tears running down face as the blood ran down her leg.  She got out of the room and set Gatomon down before she started towards the dungeon.  The Kaiser followed a few steps behind her, occasionally cracking the whip near her. Yolei shuffled into TK’s cell and walked over to the frightened young man. “ TK, we’re going now.” She put his arm over her shoulder and started to rise with him. TK wasn’t helping, but he wasn’t fighting, which right now was the best Yolei could hope for.  She trudged up the stairs, every movement threatening to drop her to her knees. She grunted with determination, as she continued forward.  Gatomon looked as if she would cry, as Yolei stumbled, nearly fell, but caught herself. The Kaiser cracked his whip against Yolei’s arm; she screamed in pain, but didn’t fall. ‘ I will do this.’ Yolei thought gritting her teeth. ‘ Yolei, you can do this. I’m so very proud of you.’ The voice that echoed in her head was Hawkmon. ‘ Tai and Matt really do hear their partners.’ Yolei’s face broke into a smile for a moment, before another crack of the whip gashed her other leg.  She crumbled to the ground unable to bare the pain.  She could once again feel the blackness coming. She thought she heard some sort of alert and Gatomon screaming at Ken, but she couldn’t be sure. *** Cody Hida rounded the corner in the complex and came face to face with a very bloody Kaiser.  His emerald eyes narrowed in hatred, as he prepared to attack. The Kaiser leaned against wall and spit out a mouthful of blood. “ Your friend is hurt as badly as I am” He drew a breath attempting to steady himself. “ Maybe worse, you should tend to him.” Cody stood silently weighing his options; finally he took a step towards the Kaiser. The Kaiser’s eyes widened in fear, before Cody walked into the hallway, where he’d come from. “ Remember that fear.” Cody cautioned not even looking back at the Kaiser. “Next time we met I’ll teach you why you should be afraid.” Cody heard the staggering steps of the Kaiser’s retreat, but concentrated on following the blood trail.  He got into one of main rooms and saw the tale-tell signs of Davis: burn marks. Cody saw Davis struggling to get off the floor.  Cody hurried over to him and knelt down to assess his wounds. “ I lost him.” Davis breathed out. “ We have to get him.” He kept trying to get up. Cody looked at Davis for a long moment, “ We’ll get him later, man. We got Yolei back that’s what we came for.”  Cody grabbed Davis’ hand and held it for a moment, before squaring his shoulders. “ Let’s get you outta here.” Cody picked Davis up off the ground and carried him towards the others. *** Yolei blinked sleepily, than squinted up at the shape of a woman. “ Are the lights to bright?” A calm voice asked. “ A little.” Yolei admitted, attempting to sit up. She winced and cursed out loud. “ Let me help you.” The red haired woman helped Yolei recline against a few pillows. “ Thanks.” Yolei looked uncomfortable, “ Lexi, why are you here?” Lexi’s pale green eyes locked with Yolei’s “ Yolei, I forgave you.” “ Why?” “ Because I knew one day you’d be sorry. Besides it was my turn watch ya.” Lexi admitted, shrugging her shoulders. “ What about Ken?” Yolei questioned. “ Cody lost him; he decided to help Davis instead.” “ Why?” Yolei sat up a little straighter and instantly regretted it. “ Ouch! I mean what happened to Davis?” “ Him and Ken got into it pretty bad.  Davis got the worst of it, but Cody said that Ken was in bad shape too.” Lexi smirked. “ Um… would you mind getting Izzy for me?” Yolei asked quietly, unsure of the girl’s reaction. “ If that’s what you want.” Lexi stood up and strode out of the room.  Once she got on the other side she looked out at all the destined, sitting in the living room awaiting news about the injured girl.  “ Izzy, she wants you.” Izzy stood up and walked over to the door, before he could touch the knob Lexi caught his arm. “ Be careful.” She warned. Izzy frowned, “ I thought we resolved this.” Lexi looked into his eyes, “ We did, but she’s very vulnerable right now.  I just…I just…” Izzy kissed her forehead, “ You have nothing to worry about. I promise.” Lexi gave him a half-heart smile, “ I’ll put some tea on.” “ Thank you, Love.” Izzy walked into the room, where his best friend had been sleeping for the last 24 hours. Yolei smiled “ Izzy.” He smiled back and hugged her gently, “ I’m so glad you’re safe.” Yolei nodded as he pulled away. “ Me too.” Izzy wordlessly handed her a book. Yolei looked at the cover: I Fell in Love with My Kidnapper: Documenting Stockholm Syndrome. She managed a half chuckle; half sob and looked at Izzy who simply shrugged. “ I heard it good read?” He offered. Yolei felt her eyes burn with tears, “ Izzy, if I never said how sorry I was about everything that….” “ Shh.” Izzy cut her off as he sat down next to her. “ I there too remember. I’m just as much at fault.  I’m sorry too.” He brushed some of the tears off her face.  “ Joe and Taylor looked you over and treated all your injuries.  You should be okay in a couple weeks.” Yolei sniffled, “ That’s good.” “ What is it?” Izzy brushed the hair away from her face. “ Can I ask you a question?” Yolei looked in his eyes. “ Go ahead.” “ How did you know Lexi was the one?” Izzy only thought about it a second, “ She forgave me.” “ Love through forgiveness I like that.” Yolei looked a little wistful, before wondering, “Where is everyone?” “ Well, Cody was at the hospital with Davis, but by this point he could be at home resting.” “ Davis got hurt that bad?” Izzy winced, “ Yeah, the only reason we didn’t treat him here like we did with you, was because Joe wasn’t sure if he was hemorrhaging or not.” Yolei felt tears burning in her eyes again, “ Davis did that for me?” “ Yes he did. Although we weren’t sure about his mental state after you got kidnapped. He was panicked; thought it was going to be a repeat of what happened to Kari and TK.” Izzy shook his head. “ The second he found out about the rescue plan. He was pitching in left and right.” Yolei smiled, “ There’s our leader.  What about the others? Joe introduced an African woman named Taylor as his wife? Care to explain?” “ That would be Taylor, Joe’s girlfriend. Lexi borrowed the rings.  Taylor’s something else; and right they’re probably picking up her little boy.” “ Joe is dating someone who already has baby?” Yolei gasped, “ I have been gone a while.” “ Yeah, well they’re a good compliment to each other.” “ I could tell.” “ So that leaves…” Izzy trailed off counting in his head. “ Oh Tai and Sora are in my living room.” “ Did they get married, already?” Yolei questioned. “ No, Sora wanted to wait until you were safe.” “ That’s sweet. What about Matt, and Mimi?” “ They are probably still down at the hospital checking in TK.” Yolei looked down at her lap and fidgeted with the blankets. Izzy gave her a long look. “ Yolei, what happened to him?” Yolei shrugged helplessly, “ I don’t know he was like that when I got there. Ken said it just happened after the merge, but I don’t know.” “ It’s a possibility.” “ Wait! Gatomon? Where is she?” Yolei felt dread rising in her. “ She took off after the battle. We got that gray tail-ring off her, than she said something about heading north to join up with a rebel group.” He assured her. A knock on the door startled both of them; Izzy stood up and called out to the person on the other side. “ What is it?” Lexi opened the door and came in with a cup of tea. She looked at Izzy, “ Matt and Mimi are here; the prior wants to talk to you.” Izzy nodded and addressed Yolei, “ Do you want to talk to Mimi?” “ Yeah, send her in, in a minute.” Yolei confirmed. Izzy left the room and Lexi offered Yolei the cup of hot tea. “ Thank you.” She studied the top of the liquid, before softly admitting, “ I am sorry.” “ I told you. I already forgave you.” Lexi shrugged. “ Why did you forgive him?” Yolei wondered. Lexi looked thoughtful for a moment before answering. “ I knew that he meant it; when said that he was sorry.  Plus he showed up on my doorstep; forty-eight hours deprived of food and sleep.  That helped.” Lexi nodded, before smirking. “ You owe me a shoot.” “ Huh?” Yolei was totally thrown. “ What are you talking about?” “ You know that photo-shoot I wanted you to do and you said: no. Well the answer is now yes.  Charity balls don’t pay for themselves when they are set up rush.” “ That was your plan?” Yolei looked astonished. “ Down to Matt dancing with you and Mimi planting the homing signal on Ken.” Lexi laughed as the door rattled with another knock. “ May I come in?” Mimi’s gentle voice requested from behind the door. “ Yeah, I’m leaving.” Lexi opened the door, but looked back at Yolei before she left, “ Feel better.” Mimi sat down on the bed, and brushed one of Yolei’s locks of hair away from her face. “ Yolei…” Mimi never finished her statement, because Yolei collapsed into heart wrenching sobs. “ Oh, sweetie, it’s okay. You’re safe now.” *** Matt leaned against the wall of the apartment as the others listened to him, “ Well the doctors are assuming some sort of massive head trauma. All they know for sure is that my little brother is insane.” Matt closed his eyes, trying to block the tears. Tai shifted in his chair, “ You don’t think that’s what did it?” “ Ichijouji had him captive for five years! Damn straight I don’t think head trauma! When I get a hold him, I’m gonna kill him!” Matt seethed. Sora walked over and hugged him gently. “ Matt, let’s just focus on the fact that we have TK back.” Matt kissed the top of Sora’s head, “ I know, Grace, but it’s hard to be thankful, when I can’t see my brother in there.” Sora smiled at the use of her nickname, but her face mirrored her empathetic sorrow at the mention of TK’s condition.  Two had become good friends, after Mimi started straightening Matt out again. When Matt found out what he’d almost done to her, he started calling her Grace, because she forgave him. “ He’s in there.” Sora kissed his cheek before slipping out of his arms and going over to sit with Tai. Mimi walked out of the bedroom tears coursing down her face; she ran straight to Matt and buried her face in his chest. “ What is it?” He looked down concerned. “ Is Yolei okay?” Mimi sniffed and tried to stop crying, “ She’s sleeping. She…Oh God…” Mimi broke down again. Matt held her until she finally calmed, “ Mims, what has got you so upset?” Mimi whispered something in his ear. Matt’s face contorted in anger, he pulled away from Mimi and thrust his fist into the wall. “ I will kill that man the next time I see him!” Author’s notes: Wow, I can’t believe how long this got… The next chapter is already, ready, already.  Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. I hope you enjoyed this.