"There baby is!" The female technician smiled as a faint whooshing beat came through with the grainy picture. "A strong heartbeat. That's great." I blinked and looked at the little life before my eyes fell to my belly where the ultrasound wand was pressed to it and then back. That was my little female, the tiny little being I had argued with our mother goddess to keep. My eyes prickled with tears and I found myself smiling, a heated warmth moving through my chest looking grainy image of the tiny female growing inside me.

"Look at that. Growing very well, here is the nose and the little hands. I wonder if we can..." The technician shifted the wand and she gave a happy sound. "A little female! She's presenting really well, growing very well. Everything is developing as it should." The technician looked at me with a smile and I nodded.

"I knew she was female." Mene had told me but seeing her was different than hearing it from the goddess. She had the sweetest little face profile, she looked like a little baby. I knew she was, she was so tiny but she was nearly fully formed. I knew she had so much more growing to do, all of her insides still needed to grow but the little shell that would house them was something so beautiful to look at.

"Sometimes mama's just know. She's growing perfectly. Nothing to worry about on the developmental end of her growth. A stellar pregnancy by all accounts." The technician smiled a bit wider and Duffy gave a small sound of acknowledgement.

"That's good." She gave a nod as she bounced Maeve, the little girl was fussing, her eyes on me the entire time I had been lying on the small table "It's good that the baby is healthy." Duffy kissed Maeve's cheek at the little female fussed, reaching for me. It took all I had not to reach out for her in return.

"Here, I'll get you some good pictures of baby and a recording of her heartbeat." The technician moved the wand around before reaching over to the machine and pressing a few buttons. Several grainy, black and grey images were spit out and I swallowed hard. Pictures of my little female. I felt more than blessed by it but another part of me was saddened that Brochan wasn't here to see it with me, that he wasn't there to see our little female, to even know about her.

I felt a little hurt he hadn't wanted to come, that he had said no. I knew I should have expected it but it still hurt all the same. A lot had happened and it was clearly he wasn't ready to be around me. He needed time. I said it to myself firmly. He just needed time.

"Alright. Let's get you cleaned up and you should be all cleared to finalize your intake." The technician gave another warm and friendly smile as she grabbed what looked to be a paper towel and cleaned the wand before carefully wiping away the jelly off of my stomach. "There we go." She tossed the paper towel away and I carefully pulled down my shirt and sat up, swinging my legs over the edge of the table.

I reached out towards Duffy, wanting Maeve safe in my arms. Duffy chuckled but moved over, handing me the little female. Maeve nearly dived into my arms and I pulled her close, tucking her against my chest as I rubbed her back. I loved her so much. So very much. I was so thankful I was able to have the chance to hold her in my arms again. I had missed her, more than anything, and I loved her just as much.

She buried her little face in my neck and fussed a bit before sniffing deeply at my skin, her little hands grabbing me. "I know, my love." I murmured the words to her as I rubbed a bit more firmly at her back. "I love you too, so much." I did. I loved her to the moon and back. I glanced at Duffy and she was taking the pictures from the technician and a small strange rectangular stick thing.

"Alright. Let's get you moving." Duffy was no nonsense as she gestured at me to follow her. I nodded and quickly got off the table, holding Maeve close as I did so. I followed the older female out of the room and continued to rub at Maeve's back.

Officer Bently pushed off from the wall and smiled. "I hope everything is looking alright with your little one." He looked at me and I nodded.

"She's healthy and growing well." That was all I wanted to know. That she was thriving, meeting all her milestones, and was growing just as great as she should be.

"That's great news. I'm sure you're relieved to hear it, Ms Aristotle. Now do you mind following me? The Council is waiting for you." He gestured down the hall and I swallowed hard. The entire process had been... it had been a bit much. I had spoken to so many people, had been poked and prodded, and had been asked so many questions I was nearly dizzy. I was so thankful I had Duffy with me. I knew I wouldn't have been able to handle any of the process without her stern but calm presence.

Duffy reached out, rubbing at my back gently before inclining her head. "Come on, trouble. Just a little bit longer." I looked at her and nodded quickly before I exhaled slowly, jostling Maeve in my arms and pressing a kiss to her strawberry blond curls. We just had to work through the next little bit and then we could stop to breathe.

I started after Officer Bently, Duffy following close beside me as we moved down the long hallway. The building reminded me a bit like a hospital but almost more authoritarian looking, like a military base almost. I wasn't quite sure what to think of it but everyone we had come across had been nice, if a bit busy.

"Will we have to wait for the entire Council to get back?" Duffy's question was a bit gruff but I didn't have time to think about it being rude as Maeve yawned, rubbing at her eyes. She was getting tired. I wasn't sure what time it was but it was getting late, I knew that for sure.

"They arrived several minutes ago and have decided to finish with Ms Aristotle's intake before dispersing for the night."

"Good. It's been an exhausting day and we will need the rest." Duffy gave my back a firm rub that let me know she was talking about me more than anyone else but at the moment I felt a bit numb more than tired. So much had happened, I had lost so many people and knowing it would be unlikely I would ever see them again left me feeling numb.

I didn't want to think about it because I knew I would turn into a puddle of tears and I couldn't do that. Maeve needed me and I couldn't fall apart while she needed me. I had to be there for her and falling apart was not part of that. I snuggled into her tighter, enjoying the feeling of her clinging to me and the weight of her in my arms. She had been so happy and giggly with me for most of the intake process. Which had been a stark contrast to having Duffy hold her. All she seemed to want was me and I tried hard to make sure she had me or was cuddling with me whenever I could.

A part of me tugged at my chest, telling me it was okay, that she loved me and missed me and the other part of me hated that she had been upset without me. That felt guilty that she loved me so much that she missed me like that. It didn't feel right to that part of me. The tugging in my chest told me it was okay, that I loved her and she loved me and that was okay. That loving her and having her love me back was perfectly fine. I didn't know how to respond to it so I just pinched my lips together and hugged her a bit tighter.

"Right in here." At the officer's voice I shook out of the thoughts and looked at him. He opened a door and gestured for me and Duffy to enter and I swallowed hard but at Duffy's nudging, went inside. The entire Council was sitting at a large table and I swallowed hard, wondering how Brochan was, if he was okay or if he needed help. They were all there and that meant the punishments were done and I wanted to know how Brochan was.

"Ahhh, Ms Aristotle!" Councillor Jovan stood up, a warm smile on his face. "We are just reviewing your file with the rest of the Council as they just arrived." He gestured to the rest of them and most of them bowed their heads at me and I glanced around, my throat and chest tight.

"How is Brochan?" I blurted it out, unable to help myself and Duffy gave a heaving sigh, muttering something underneath her breath but her hand didn't falter on my back. "Is he okay? Does he need any help?" I looked between them all, the anxiety about not knowing making my stomach queasy. I knew he was being punished and Simon told me how much and I was concerned.

"The healers got the bleeding to stop. He was sent home and will heal fine within the next two to three weeks." At the softly accented voice from the female next to the intimidating Councillor Sasha, I swallowed hard, wishing I could be there for him, to help him.

"It's more than he deserved, trouble, and you know it." Duffy's voice had a bit of an edge and I frowned slightly but didn't respond nuzzling Maeve, taking in her scent.

"I hope that your baby is alright." At Councillor Thomasina's question I glanced over at her and nodded.

"She's growing well." My voice felt strained and I quickly cleared my throat, wishing I had my hands free so I could wipe my palms off on my skirt. I focused on rubbing Maeve's back as she gave a sigh and nuzzled deeper into my neck.

"That's great news." Jovan said it warmly as he sat down. "We were just discussing your file, as I said. Your assessments have come back. You are healthy physically, which is great. There were no concerns about you health wise." I had known that and had been relieved about it. I hadn't been sure what all I had been left with after the infections and the whipping. To hear I had been in very good health had been like a weight lifted off my shoulders.

"Which, considering what Elf explained to us about your situation, is a miracle in itself." One of the other female Councillor's said it as she looked through the file in front of her.

"Mental assessment was a bit trickier." The blond haired Councillor said it as he shuffled through the papers. "Serious conditioning, leaning towards a habit of scapegoating herself as a cause of all problems." The words had me pinching my lips so I wouldn't say anything. I never took blame onto myself unless it was clearly my fault. It was just that a lot of things had been my fault.

"Moderate at best. Doubt the Boarder house needs to be involved." The other femaleCouncillor waved her hand as if brushing is comments off as she looked at the file in front of her.

"I didn't recommend that. I'm just saying her conditioning is rather severe." The blond Councillor sounded a bit irritated and the look her sent towards the female Councillor spelled out his irritation. I wasn't quite sure what to do or say as I shifted on my feet, adjusting my hold on Maeve.

"Jay has a point, Cassandra, she experienced twenty years of what I can only assume is serious conditioning. It might not be Omega level bad but it was rather serious." Jovan said it evenly as he picked up some papers and looked at them before glancing at me and giving me another warm smile.

"The doctors recommended at least twice a week therapy." Thomasina's voice was even as she looked down the table at the other Councillors and I swallowed hard. I hadn't been told that. I hadn't even known what to do with the therapist I had seen when I had first come into the intake facility. To hear I would have to be doing two sessions a week was a bit daunting. I had no clue what to even say or where to begin with that.

"Standard procedure and one we can work with depending on where it is she is to go." The female Councillor, Cassandra waved her hand a bit, once again as if brushing the words off.

"Ahhh yes. She doesn't need the Boarder house so that means she is free to go wherever she wishes, within reason." Jovan said it as he looked at me again and I looked around as all the Councillors looked towards me. I wasn't quite sure what to do with all of that or why they were looking at me.

"That means she gets to pick?" Duffy asked it evenly, giving my back a firm rub and my anxiety spiked. I was supposed to choose? I couldn't do that!

"Yes, Duffy. We will give her a choice of where she would like to go." Councillor Jay said it before he linked his hands together and once again turned his gaze to me. "Ms Aristotle, the choice is yours. Some of those who go through the intake facility will do a genetic search and go to be where their family line is from. Some look at a list and choose. Some have an idea of where they would like to go. Some defer to us to pick." That had my heart rate picking up and the anxiety becoming that much worse. I had no clue what to say or how to pick.

"We can veto a choice if we feel it's not appropriate. Such as if you wanted to return to Vis. We would not allow that for your own safety." Thomasina said it quickly and I felt suddenly on the spot and I looked down at the floor, not sure what to say or how to even begin with that. I didn't know anywhere or anyone I could go to. That was too big of a choice for me to make.

"Where would you like to go, trouble?" Duffy rubbed her hand up my back as she asked the question low. "Anywhere you would like."

"I-I don't know." I whispered it at her and glanced at her, my eyes wide. I felt nervous and I felt like I would start shaking. I couldn't make the choice for us. I wasn't supposed to make those kinds of decisions. It made me miss Simon. He would have known what to say or where we could go.

"Is there a place you would like to see again?" At her question I shook my head, my brain moving so quickly I could barely catch up at the anxiety squeezed me tightly. I held onto Maeve, letting her soft breathing ground me as best as it could. "What about Fortis?" At the question everything seemed to stop.

I missed Lilith. I missed Doc Howard. I missed them a lot.

"I would like to see them again. If only for a little bit." I looked at Duffy, unsure about myself but my chest aching slightly for the friends I had made.

"Is Fortis an adequate choice?" Duffy asked loudly and I glanced at the Council and they seemed to look at Thomasina and Jovan.

"You're on point for this one." The dark haired male said it and Jovan gave a small smile.

"I could always do for a visit to Fortis. I don't see why we can't start there." The words had a fluttering of hope rise in my chest but he gave me a look that had it sinking. "But please, this is just an assessment. We have to see how well it would fit and if it's appropriate. But we can definitely go there tomorrow and see." The words had my heart sinking at the thought I might not be able to stay there but the thought of getting to see all the people I had met in the pack was a nice one.

"I would like that." I gave him a small smile that he returned.

"Then it's settled. We will head to Fortis tomorrow as a preliminary meeting and we will see once we get there." He closed up the file in front of him. "Any objections?" He looked at the rest of the Council and there were numerous head shakes and he gave a firm nod. "Please allow Officer Bently to escort you to one of our overnight rooms and we will see you tomorrow." He stood up as he gestured to the door and I glanced at Duffy. She gave me a shot nod and gestured with her head so I turned and headed for the door, with her close behind me.

Officer Bently opened the door and smiled at me gently. "Follow me." He headed back down the long hallway and I followed after him, adjusting Maeve in my arms. She was getting so big, she was almost heavy for me to carry.

"She's out like a light." Duffy reached over and brushed her curls from her face and I smiled slightly, kissing the little female's cheek.

"She had a busy day." I hummed slightly as I kissed her cheek again. I loved holding her like I was, I loved having her close. I had missed it. So much. I turned back to Officer Bently, making sure to follow him through the seemingly large facility.

He finally came to a stop in front of a door numbered with fourteen. "You can stay here for the night. We have provided you with some supper and the little one's diaper bag. I will be by in the morning to collect you for your trip to Fortis." He bowed his head at me and Duffy before turning and walking away.

Duffy grumbled slightly as she opened the door before letting out a heavy sigh at the sight of the two beds and the table with the food on it. "I need to rest my old bones. I'm not used to all this back and forth." She stepped out of the way of the door and ushered me inside. I quickly came in as she closed and locked the door behind me. "Need some food too. I hope it's decent." Duffy moved by me, heading straight for the plates of food they had set out. "Settle little trouble on one of the beds and then come eat." She gestured to one of the bed and I felt like I was moving on autopilot as I did so. I settled Maeve on a bed and carefully arranged the pillows so she wouldn't roll off the bed.

I stood and stared at her for a moment before everything hit me at once and my eyes blurred. I would never see Simon again. I would never see Dana and the kids again. I had Maeve but at the cost of Brochan losing her again. So many people had been punished because I told the truth. I had told the truth but now everything was so wrong and I didn't know where to go from standing next to the bed.

"I-I didn't mean for this." My voice cracked and Duffy made a small noise in her throat.

"Of course you didn't. No one ever expects this sort of thing." The words were said calmly and I hastily rubbed at my cheeks before I muffled a sob as I looked at Maeve sleeping so peacefully on the bed, knowing Brochan was hurting and it was all my fault. "If you gotta cry, trouble, let yourself cry. Mene knows you're building an entire person inside your body, you're allowed your tears. But come over here and sit down so you don't wake up the little miss." The words had me turning around and sniffling as I sat in the vacant chair by the small table.

I sat down as if the weight of the world rested on my shoulders. "I didn't mean for any of it." I looked at her and she nodded.

"We never do but it will work out in the end." Duffy had always been pragmatic and realistic and I muffled another sob, covering my face with my hands.

"I didn't mean it." I croaked it out before I burst into tears.