Idina wanted to sue the posers for everything they had. She had never felt so vindictive before. She wanted to bleed them dry of everything. The only reason why she did not was because Erika asked her not to. She said that this would just create a circle of hatred and bad feelings and that it would not help anyone in the end. Idina had a feeling those were Gerda Snow's words, but if Snow had given Erika the words that she needed to properly express her own opinion then she would respect it.

Their case had been dismissed. Aaron and Idina were now free to apply for adoption. And of course, it meant more paperwork and having CPS check their house again, and interviews with Erika and Walker and her therapist and few teachers just for good measure. Idina found it all infuriating. She knew why there was due process, but it seemed futile especially when she factored in all the times due process had failed. Then again if it were not there, it would just churn out more failures.

The power was back on for two hours on Monday, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. They charged their phone, tablets, and laptops, and funnelled all the A/C into the basement which had slowly turned into their new living room. Erika had to go back to work on power days, but Idina seemed to be the only person who minded. Erika liked getting out, Aaron and Helen thought it was good for her, and Walker was busy playing video games, so he never noticed.

The triplets never left the basement. Idina kept them in rooms with lots of suns when it was cool so that they got enough vitamin D, but they were still restricted to the basement while the heatwave struck. They were getting restless. At first, the basement had been exciting, but now they wanted to go to other places. It seemed they clued in that the world was larger than their room and playpen and wanted to explore. And they were more verbal. They were not speaking words, but they were making sounds and noises. Lucinda would often open and close her mouth when she saw people speaking, trying to mimic what they were doing but she hadn't quite clued in yet that she had to move her mouth and make noise at the same time.

She had been talking with Carlyle. They still needed to get the Rivera posers to take down the articles they had written about her and Aaron. Thy were defamatory lies and there was something eerily familiar about them that rubbed Idina the wrong way. She wanted them exorcised from the internet, if that was even possible, scrubbed from sites like the way back machine and whipped into oblivion. She did not want it following Erika around for the rest of her life. It was one of the first things that popped up when one googled her name. The posers had a wad of cash stashed somewhere to fund such an endeavour.

Erika was still touchy about the topic. Her New York box loomed on her desk, waiting for her to make up her mind. Idina highly doubted there was anything in there that would help the case at this point, but she had a feeling there might be some sort of explanation that might help Erika and because of that, she wanted the girl to open it. But Idina knew not to push so she did not.

But Idina could rest easy now. There were no aunt rights as far as she was aware. Grandparent rights were a thing in some states, but not the same as parental rights so the fake Elvira had no legal standing claim to Erika.

"Hey, Erika," Idina said, walking into the girl's room. "Sorry to bother you, just Aaron's asleep and we need more formula so I was wondering if you could drive me into the store. We could go somewhere else too for practice if you want, I know you haven't gone out this week." Idina was practically shaking. She had never really asked for a favour before. Aaron had chewed her out when he found out she had driven to a coffee shop while he had been gone and almost laid it in on Helen for allowing Idina to do it until he realized it might not be the best idea.

"Sure," Erika said, putting her book down like it was no problem in the world.

"You sure?"

Erika gave her a confused look. "Um, yeah," she said, now sounding unsure herself.

"Thanks so much," Idina said as Erika picked up her wallet and checked to make certain her learner's permit was there.

They went out to the garage. It was empty without their van. There was no way of recovering it. A car had caught fire as Aaron had though, and the gas tank had exploded and caused a chain reaction and the freeway had been on fire for a bit. They were moving north when this craziness was over with. She could find work there and network remotely, only coming back to LA when she needed to film. She was Idina Frickin' Menzel and she could do whatever the hell she wanted (within the constraints of the law on her moral compass, of course).

Idina checked the baby monitor app on her phone again. She was starting to realize she was checking it obsessively every time she left them sleeping like as if it might have magically unpaired overnight. After she visited with her therapist, she was starting to realize a butt load of things about her habits. But would worrying make it worse? Were her habits worrying? She was definitely making worse. She needed to calm down. Right now.

She got into the passenger seat beside Erika who was checking the mirrors and adjusting the seat. She pulled out into the street. She was a lot better. Idina had never really driven with her while she was learning, but she knew form what Aaron had told her that there was ample improvement.

"Center of the road," Idina reminded her as she was slowly pandering towards the sidewalk.

"Right," Erika said, correcting the mistake just as slowly.

They made it to the mall in one piece. Idina had her small list and they were making good time going up and down the aisle methodically. Some things were completely out of stock, but they found a quick alternative. Idina grabbed two large packets of AA batteries and one of AAA. Just in case.

"Oh my god!" she heard someone whisper behind her. Then she felt a tap on her shoulder.

She turned to face a redhead teenager around Erika's age who had a younger child clamped onto her arm. The younger girl looked around eight.

"You're Idina Menzel!" the redhead exclaimed.

"Oh, yes, hi," she said with a smile. The younger girl hid behind her older sister.

The teen whipped out her phone.

"I'd love to take a picture, but I need to remind you that if you get Erika in your video or picture and post it online you will be liable for criminal charges," she said quickly as she noticed the teen was about to start filming.

The teen nodded enthusiastically, and Erika offered to take the picture of them. The redhead's name was Danie and Idina even autographed a post-it note for Danie's friend and hugged her before going on their way.

They almost made it to the cash register before someone else noticed them. With a loud "Look, it's Idina Menzel," half the store now knew of her presence. She gave Erika the baby formula and her card, telling the girl to pay for it and wait in the car. If people were going to mob her for her stuff because somehow being rich meant she did not need food, she was at least making sure she had when she needed to feed her babies. She could part with the batteries and food, but not the formula. She kept a close eye on Erika as the girl slipped into the crowd and get into a checkout line.

"Hi," a girl said excitedly, tapping her on her shoulder. She looked up o see a woman holding a toddler who was staring up at the star with wide scared eyes.

"Can we go mommy?" the child asked.

"Don't you want a picture with Elsa?" the mom asked.

"Where's Elsa?" the toddler asked, looking around the store and her thumb went to her mouth. She was adorable.

The mother looked up at Idina expectantly.

"Sorry," Idina said "but I'm on a schedule today. Maybe another time? I could sign something quickly if you'd like."

She did not want to be delayed today, nor was she sure her brain could handle the stress of touching and interacting with strangers. Especially the touching bit. She was not on the mood or in the right wits to deal with some man deciding to grope her for a photo opt. She could barely let her own husband grope her sometimes without remembering how Taye had groped at her and tore at her skin with his knife and burnt her inner thighs. Idina shivered. She did not want to be here.

She started making her way towards a cash register, keeping her head down. She'd given Erica her card, but she still had her phone and credit card. The worst came to worse she could use her chequebook.

Someone pulled her shoulder forcefully. It was another woman with a toddler. She practically threw the kid at Idina who put the child down as soon as she was placed in her unsuspecting arms.

"I'll sign something, but I am not doing pictures today," she informed the mother.

The mother took out the phone and took one anyway. Idina turned away, blinking from the flash and started focusing on putting her items on the conveyer belt. A man called out, telling her she was a bitch for buying batteries when she was probably paying for electricity and scamming everyone out of their rightful dues because she had money and she could. Idina ignored it. She was getting the same limited two hours everyone else was. And unlike everyone else her house was huge. It needed more power period. But she did not complain.

A few more cameras flashed as she was paying and she felt an intense headache coming on. Then she felt sleepy. Very, very sleepy. She wasn't entirely sure what happened next, but a few people screamed and her head hit the cold marble floor.

~

Idina awoke to every muscle in her body feeling strained. It felt like it had been years since her muscles had ever been loose and relaxed.

"Mrs. Menzel?"

Idina looked around, the light hurting her eyes. She winced, blinking, trying to get her bearings. She was not on a hospital bed. It felt like cold tile flooring. It was cold tile flooring. She was still on the floor of the shopping center.

"Mrs. Menzel?" a male voice asked again. "My name is Timothy, I'm a doctor. Are you alright?"

"I am, I um, what happened?" she asked as she sat up. There was a crowd around her but backed away giving her some space. The man was crouched near her.

"Idina?" a familiar voice called out.

Idina turned to it "Erika?" she said, turning to see the girl who was holding onto the formula for dear life and looked very white. Idina reached out and pulled her closer.

"Mrs. Menzel, you just had a seizure," Timothy said.

"Shit," replied Idina. The medicine was working, else she would be having a full-blown panic attack, but seizes weren't a helpful addition. Especially if she was going to be falling over and smashing her head against ceramic flooring.

She tried to stand up, but Timothy stopped her.

"Don't touch me," Idina said loudly so there were no disagreements that she had not told him not too.

"I think you need too—"

"I'll take it up with my personal doctor, thank you," Idina said.

"Oh right, just make sure you—"

"Don't worry, I will," she told him, having no idea what he's going to say next. She was not about to hash out her medical history with a stranger in front of a few dozen people with recording devices.

Erika helped Idina stand up. People started cheering and clapping and much to Timothy's protest began taking pictures of her and her saviour, calling our for the of them to pose.

The flashing lights triggered another seizure but this time Erika and Timothy caught her before her head hit the ground. After Idina was placed on her side, the star puked. Erika called Aaron, but he must have still been sleeping because he did not pick up. Timothy sent a calmer bystander to get mall security. When Idina came too this time, she was surrounded by big beefy security guys, one with a first aid kit. Some others were directing traffic flow around her and giving anyone with their phones out intimidating stares.

"Fuck my life," Idina mumbled as the medic shone a light in her eyes to make sure she was responsive. She tried to get up again but people held her down. She felt Erika rub her back sympathetically. The girl knew how much Idina hated this.

She was thoroughly checked over. Her head was bleeding. She probably had a minor concussion and should go get it tested. She also needed to get her seizures tested if this was a new thing and figure out what was causing them. That one was easy, either my brain injury or my brain I jury meds, Idina thought.

Eventually, they let her go after making her sign some papers saying she received the proper medical attention and wouldn't sure the store though even without Carlyle present Idina could tell they weren't as legally binding as they tried to make them look. She had been head deep in legal paperwork this past month and a half. She did have to sign a very legal looking paper that she wasn't going to drive if she did not want them to take her to a hospital right now to get tested to see if she was allowed to drive. Not that she could have anyway on her meds, but they did not know that. The security officers had to take down Erika's license details as well, which Idina was apprehensive about. But they needed to get home. Now.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Erika asked when they got into the car.

"Yes," Idina snapped, making her flinch. "I'm sorry Erika," she said quickly, "I'm not mad at you I swear, I'm frustrated at everyone else. I'm fine, okay sweety, I promise. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I think so. That was scary," she admitted. "You went all white and started shaking and fell over. And you hit your head too..."

"I'm fine, I promise," she reassured her.

"You don't know that," Erika argued.

"You're right, but I feel okay right now and I'll get it all sorted out, okay? You don't need to worry about me. Aaron can do that well enough for the entire world."

They both chuckled a bit and Erika started the car. They made it home in one piece and Aaron was waiting at the door for them. He hugged Idina, picking her up off her feet and holding her so tightly he might have squeezed the life out of her.

"Are you okay?" he asked both his girls. Erika nodded as she put the formula in the fridge.

"I have a bit of a headache," Idina admitted. Aaron was quick to sit her down and examine the bump on her head while Erika got her an ice pack.

"We shouldn't waste it," Idina argued.

"I'm not," Erika said as she pressed it against Idina's head and held it there until the celebrity decided she was better off holding it herself.

"We need to make an appointment to see if it's the medication," Aaron said.

"I know babe," Idina said, pulling her husband down onto the couch. "But my head really hurts right now and I just was to calm down a bit, so can we do it later?" she pleaded with a pout and puppy dog eyes.

He couldn't say no to that. Aaron pulled Idina into his lap and cradled her, holding the ice pack to her the back of her head. Erika sat beside them and rested her head on Aaron's shoulder, much to both of their delights. Aaron put an arm around her and rubbed her arm. He did not want her to be worried about Idina nor the people who were taking care of her. But at the same time, he was glad she was worried about Idina. It marked the growth he was glad to be seeing.

Walker came up from the basement and immediately wanted to know what happened. Idina told him carefully, making sure he did not freak out. He piled in on the big cuddle without saying anything. Idina hugged him tightly.

"I'm fine," she told everyone, kissing Walker's head. And she was, right now. She might not be tomorrow when this got all over the news. She woke to have to warn her PR team. People were bored and this was the exact type of speculation they would love right now.

Her head started pounding again when the noise of wailing triplets wafted up from the basement. As much as she wanted to go she couldn't make herself and Aaron made her lay down in the bedroom and brought her the children once they were placated and ready to play. She let them crawl all over her and play with noisy toys for hours until they were hungry and tired again. Head ringing, she again asked Aaron if he and her mom could put them down, apologizing profusely for dumping the with all the work. Neither of them cared. They were more worried about Idina than how much time everyone was spent caring for the babies.

When Aaron came back after putting the triplets down, Idina wasn't moving. Panicked, he rushed to the bed, shaking her only to find that she had fallen asleep.

"Sorry for waking you," he said apologetically. "I thought for a second there had been bleeding in your brain or something. You might have been dead, sorry."

She kissed him on the lips. "It's okay, I get it." She hugged him. She felt a churning in her gut, one she knew very very well. One that was entirely Aaron's fault. She was suddenly aware that his hand was on her lower back. Their chest was pressed up against each other. Get a grip Idina! Her hormones had lowered her sex drive a bit, but this was more than a bit out of line.

"I want you to get checked out tomorrow," he informed her. "Concussions don't always show right away and we need to make sure there's no bleeding even if you don't have one. And if this is the mess you need to figure out the safest way to get off them."

"I think they're working," she argued. "I haven't had a memory lapse since I started, I've had a few bad nerve episodes, but were not treating my nerves. And you'd be proud of how well I was able to handle the crowd in the shopping center until I had a seizure. Maybe we can treat the seizures too, I don't know if I want to come off of it."

He listened to her, his face grim but it softened as she explained her stance. When he was done he nodded. He couldn't give her an ultimatum. She knew what was best for her. There was still much they did not know about the seizures. They needed more information before they could make their informed decisions, but if Idina thought the drugs were working then he would explore every option possible to keep her on them.

She yawned, still very turned on and trying her best not to give it away. He was just so hot when he was caring about her. And hot when he was sweating because of the heat and looking at her with those big brown eyes with a face that said he had never known true love until they met and he would do anything for the both of them. She pressed another chaste kiss to his lips. It did not relieve anything, but it made her feel good either way. She was grinning as she yawned again.

"You need sleep," he said. "Even if you didn't just have two seizures if be telling you that you need sleep," he informed her, "and because you did I'm close to begging."

"Cuddle me?" Idina asked, trying to be as small and durable as she could, raising her knees, cooking her head. Lose all control and take me right here.

Get a grip!

"Course Chickadee," he said, scooting her over and crawling in beside her. "Anything for my 'Dinabird."

"Dinabird?"

"Shut up and sleep."

"I love you too, Aaronbear." She cuddled close to him, her mind hyper away that is arm was across her stomach, her abdomen. It was so close to—

Shut up!

All she had to do was move a bit and his hand would be in between her legs. She knew he was probably just as antsy. It had to have been worse for him without hormones to lower his sex drive. And it wouldn't be fair on him since she knew he wasn't going to do anything until she had it in writing from her doctors that it was okay.

She could feel him breathing. It wasn't helping either.

Just stop thinking and sleeps.

Sleep with Aaron, you coward.

Fuck.

Fuck him.

Stop it.

Maybe the medicine was making her obsessive. It said in the long list of side effects that it could have affected her. They'd both thought it meant lower, not increase. Maybe if she told Aaron he would be so relieved he'd never want her off it. No, then he'd be taking advantage of her drugs. He'd not be excited about it. But if it was the other way and she had a lower drive it would not be like he would insist they keep up their regular activities. But once she told him she was crawling out of her skin to get him in ether pants he might put a stop to everything out of respect.

She loved him but she hated him sometimes.

"You good, Dee?"

She told him everything in one long breath. He was smirking when she finished. Then she yawned again.

"Oh, Dee," he cooed, "just get some sleep, okay baby, you'll be better if you have some rest. And you need it. You are supposed to sleep after seizures."

She pouted and nodded in agreement. Her limbs were so strained they were starting to feel like potatoes sacks. She wasn't sure how she was still awake and yawned again, laying down. There was no point in resisting.

He hugged her and pulled her close, whispering her to sleep.

~

The next morning, Idina was writing down her symptoms in her journal after putting the triplets down for their nap. They had barely slept all night long. She looked up when she heard a knock on the door. Erika was standing in the doorway.

Idina invited her on and the girl came and sat down beside her on the bed. Something seemed off, but Idina was not sure what.

"What are you doing?" Erika asked.

"Just keeping notes of all my symptoms."

"Oh, okay," she replied.

"So, what's up?"

"Nothing," the girl replied quietly. Idina pulled her closer and she melted into Idina's side resting her head on her shoulder. Something was up and Idina had no idea what.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing?"

"So there's no reason why you're cuddling me?"

Erika was quiet and looked away. She looked a bit miserable.

"If you tell me what's up, maybe I can help."

"You can't."

Idina dropped her pencil and hugged Erika. The girl started crying and curled up against Idina. She wanted to be comforted about something and Idina just wished she knew what. And she had no idea what to say to get the answers she wanted.

"Please tell me, sweety," Idina said, rubbing her back.

"She, she," Erika muttered. "It happened today," she sobbed.

"Oh," Idina replied, insure what to say. She pulled her daughter close and just held her. They'd get through it together.