A/N: Once again, I know the update is a day late. My apologies! The school year is beginning and my time is lessening... joys. Anyways, I'm sorry this is late! Also, *WARNING* get tissues before you read this.

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02 - 17 - 2089

I forgot about my last drawing. I stumbled upon it when I went into the bathroom to relieve myself, the large drawing smeared across the otherwise clean walls. Two figures, one taller than the other, both standing straight and facing the world. Together.

Part of me scoffs at the Gis who drew this. She was so optimistic, believing she could claim the moon if she tried. Such small wishes for freedom, and I can see how far I've fallen. Naïve. The only word to explain who I was. But now I know better.

The world isn't friendly. And everyone has to fight for what they believe in.

If only I had known what I know now. I wouldn't have gotten my hopes up. Life isn't fair, and I can face that now.

My hand rests on the depiction of Cade, brushing with light fingers across his eyes and lips. I hope he's okay, wherever he is. I hope he isn't in pain. As much as I wish it though, I'm afraid it can't be true. If his appearance said anything, it's that Ilene Lestat doesn't appreciate what her son did.

Which brings another barrage of questions to my already worn mind. Why hurt her son if he was working with her this whole time? And why all this lying and deceit if Ilene Lestat was in control of this? No matter what she says, I don't see a purpose for letting Cade and I run from her.

That leaves one answer. Director Ilene Lestat was lying. Cade may be her son, but he wasn't working for her. And even though we failed to escape, it isn't his fault. That thought fills me with so much relief I sink to my knees and focus on breathing. I can't stop the smile from spreading as the surety of this thought fills me.

Cade didn't fail me. No, he fought until the end to save me.

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I'm still in the bathroom an hour later, all my tears gone, when the door to my room opens and someone enters. The person stops at the entrance to the bathroom, but I don't turn.

"It's time to go." The familiar voice hits me and I finally turn, looking up into the dark eyes and once comforting features.

"What's going on, Barr?" I ask, though I'm careful to keep my voice devoid of all emotion. I drag myself to a standing position, still having to tilt my head back to face Barr.

His posture is rigid as he stares at me, his eyes flicking across my face. "Follow me," he says, his own voice bland. Barr turns and heads for the door, expecting me to follow. I hesitate only a moment before leaving the bathroom and waiting in the center of my room while Barr unlocks the door.

Once the door is open, he steps aside for me to walk out. I go first, my eyes taking in the familiar hallways and now empty guard station outside my room. Looking for a possible escape route. The door clicks shut behind us.

"This way." Barr starts leading me past the guard station, but I grab the sleeve of his uniform, stopping him.

"Please tell me," I try again, my voice quiet so he can't hear the effort it takes to say those words. To keep the emotion out of my voice.

His eyes are heavy as he shakes his head, reaching up and detaching my hand. "Gis, things are different now. I'm sure you've realized that."

I scoff. "Of course I realize that." Barr starts walking, and I'm forced to follow so I can finish what I want to say. "I get that things are different. And that you can't be nice to me anymore. But all I'm asking for is to know what's to become of me." My eyes still flit about the hallway, but escape isn't an option now. Not with Cade in their clutches.

When Barr casts me a sideways glance, sadness is heavy on his shoulders. "You're to save the world." He forces his shoulder back and continues on. I follow a step behind him, silent as I consider his words. It's clear he isn't going to give me any more information.

After several minutes of walking, we stop in front of a room that I remember being in several times before. Barr reaches for the door handle, but I tell him to stop. He hesitates, giving me a moment to explain much to my surprise.

"If you answer one question I will go willingly," I say before he can open the door.

Barr's hand lowers and he crosses his arms. "You're going to go whether you want to or not." Not what I wanted him to say, but I shove that thought away and cross my own arms.

"Maybe, but I can make things a lot harder for you all," I point out.

Barr studies me, his expression bland. Bored, even. "Fine. Ask."

I don't allow myself a moment to revel in this small victory. "Is Cade okay? What is going to happen to him?"

"That's two questions," Barr says, but he hasn't moved to open the door. When I don't take back my questions, he sighs and runs a hand through his hair. "He's alive. But he broke the law so he will be tried accordingly." Barr grabs the handle, turning it before I can ask anymore questions. He pulls it open and waits for me to walk inside, his eyebrows raised.

"Thank you," I whisper as I walk inside. I don't know what that means, but at least he's still alive. That means there's hope for him.

It's clear everyone inside the room has been preparing for this procedure for a while. No one turns my way as I walk inside, all focused on their own tasks. I take in the many machines and people, and finally the operating table in the center of the room. Cold, grey metal.

"This way." A nurse approaches me with some items in her hand. She leads me to the bed and helps me sit up on it, my legs hanging over the side. My gaze cuts to Barr watching me from the doorway. I bite my lip and turn back to the nurse.

She helps me change out of the clothing I'm in and tie on a hospital gown that does nothing to hold in my body heat. Then she pricks my arm with an I.V. and hooks it up. Next come the heart monitors and other machines that are hooked up to my brain and body. I lay back against the freezing cold table as they work, more and more people gathering around me.

I think a nurse injects something to calm me down at one point, because my vision is foggy at the edges and I can't seem to focus on anything. I guess it isn't so bad, even though part of my mind screams at me to fight it.

At one point, Doctor Acosta's face swims into view above me. I blink, and see her lips moving. I force myself to focus on her, to hear what she has to say.

"...you won't feel a thing," is all I hear from her.

"Is this the end?" I slur, blinking slowly as my mind seems to be moving.

Doctor Acosta doesn't say anything, her eyes cold and empty as always. That stare is answer enough.

"Can I ask for one last thing?"

I wait for her to answer, wondering if I should try to fight. But my limbs are so heavy. And where would I go? There are guards and doctors and people all around this place.

And the obvious reason: I can't leave Cade.

When I blink and focus back on Doctor Acosta, I'm surprised to see her nod curtly and agree to one last request. I offer her a small smile in response, blinking several times when she starts to fade out of focus.

"Hurry now," I barely hear her say.

I shake my head, fighting the drugs penetrating my system. I need to remain clear and awake for this. Just a little longer.

"Let me see Cade," I say at last, the words coming out before my mind has a chance to consider them. But I know they are the one thing I desire. Nothing else. I just need to see him one last time.

My mind swims some more, and Doctor Acosta moves from view. I force myself to focus on anything I can see, trying to pick it apart so I don't fade away. I know they won't let me see Cade if I give in now. Why should they let me see him at all? It will be a wonder if they grant my request.

"Gis?" A foggy voice reaches my ears, slurred through the haze of drugs. I force my mind to search for a face that the voice belongs to. My head turns to the side as my vision clears. Clears enough for me to see the slumped figure against the far wall, held back by two guards.

Dark, midnight hair and stunning blue eyes. Strong arms and soothing hands. Long, dark eyelashes and a defined jaw. My Cade.

A sob escapes my lips, and he lurches forward, but is held back by the guards. His hands are restrained behind him, his dark hair matted and dirty. His face is marred by bruises and dried blood.

I blink and blink and blink as my vision begins to fade again. No, not yet! Stay awake!

"Gis, don't go." Cade's voice is thick with pain as he orders me to stay. But it's so hard. My body is starting to give up.

No. I can't give up yet. Not yet.

"Cade, I'm sorry." My voice is so quiet, I don't know if he can hear me. The room is full of noise from the many machines. Something wet slides down my cheeks. More tears. I can see Cade's eyes gleam with them as well.

"Gis..."

"I love you," I say, not giving him time to speak. The words are hard enough to get out as it is, and I don't have much time left. I know I won't survive this procedure. And I can't risk closing my eyes, for fear of never opening them again. I take in every detail I can of Cade, the slant of his eyebrows, the curve of his lips. Everything.

"You..." I have to pause to gather my thoughts, more tears pricking my eyes and further blurring my vision. "You are my color green. You always were, and you always will be. I love you so much, and I'm so grateful for everything you did for me." It's all I can manage to say before the weight becomes too much to fight.

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