Laurel stopped again but didn't turn around, "He doesn't mean it." she replied back though some of the strength in her voice gone. "He doesn't know what he's doing when he loses himself. But I know what I'm doing, I watched over him for years before he slipped into a coma."


James silently walked closer to Yue and put a hand on her shoulder, "I don't understand why they're so angry at you." he sighed, "Or why you should be so frightened of them when you've done nothing wrong."

"We don't care if he doesn't mean it," Raven replied, still not moving. "... Please, let us help you find another way to get through to him."


"... It's what they think I've done," Yue replied quietly.

"There's isn't another way." Laurel said firmly before she continued out the door.


James frowned a little, "And what is that?" he asked.

"... We won't allow this way to continue," Raven repeated calmly, but he didn't pursue her.


"Betray them," Yue replied simply, taking a few steps back. She didn't look interested in talking anymore.

So Laurel left and headed to her father.

A few moments after Laurel left, Bee walked silently through the door. Her gaze focused on Raven and didn't look away, her eyes seemed slightly red as well.


James sighed a little but nodded, "Well you haven't. I hope your brother trusts you." he stated simply before turning and heading back towards the door.

Raven didn't say anything as he tidied up the place a little bit. He acknowledged Bee's presence, but ignored her for the most part.

Dan was still sitting in the door frame, drawing away on her tablet.


"... And what if they're right?" Yue asked calmly.

Bee watched from the doorway for awhile before sighing and going over to Raven. "Let me." she stated quietly but firmly, starting to clean up around him.


James paused, "Then you better not come on stage with me." he replied as he glanced over his shoulder and gave Yue and small smile, "Cheer up Kitty, I won't let you get found out."

"I've got it," Raven replied, not budging.


Yue was silent for a long moment. "... I'm tired of being a pet," she muttered quietly as she turned and started to walk off.

Bee paused, not backing off. "... I came here to help Laurel." she suddenly said firmly, "I... regret doubting you, alright? I know you'll do what's best for her, I just want to help." she said stubbornly.


James sighed, a little annoyance coming through as he quickly turned around and grabbed her arm, "You know I didn't mean it like that." he argued.

"Then check on the doctor," he replied easily.


Yue tried to shake his arm off. "I finally figured out who I am," she replied. "Papa tried to warn me, but I didn't listen. But I won't be anyone's pet anymore."

Bee looked at Raven for a moment before nodding slowly, "Alright." she replied, not moving, "But I can help her father." she told him quietly.


James looked confused but didn't let go of her, "I... don't know what you're talking about." he admitted quietly, "But no one here is trying to make you a pet." he confirmed with a frown.

"He's asleep now," Raven replied.


Yue didn't seem to hear him. "All this time I have failed my father... but not any longer. I'll become the strong woman he wanted me to be."

Bee swallowed a little, still not moving to leave. "Raven..." she stopped, eyes still locked on him. She seemed to be having a hard time saying something. "Don't... try to help her father." she finally said very quietly.


Raven blinked at Yue for a moment before suddenly and slightly awkwardly, pulling her into a hug, "You're already strong." he told her firmly.

Raven didn't reply.


Yue blinked, snapping out of whatever thoughts she was having and into shock. She didn't speak, didn't hug him back, and didn't pull away.

Bee swallowed again, "You can't help him Raven." she explained, "When you get frustrated or angry it only causes him fall in deeper and he'll lash out more." she paused, "You're too emotionally invested."


James held her for a moment longer then suddenly his name blared over the intercom and he cussed quietly. "I'm needed on stage." he sighed, breaking away from Yue, "You're already strong." he repeated, pecking her on the forehead then running off before she could retaliate.

"I know," Raven replied quietly after a long moment.


Yue didn't pursue James; still too shocked to move.

Bee nodded, "But... I can help." she repeated before that same feeling came back, she didn't want to say something. But again, she persisted, "I've dealt with men like her father... in the past." she stated quietly but calmly. "I know how to handle them, they're all very similar and selfish." a little bitterness crept into her voice but she took a deep breath and continued, "So you just focus on Laurel, alright? With her... she reminds me too much of..." she sighed a little, "I'm too emotionally invested." she finished.


Laurel approached the doorway and glanced down at Dan before trying to enter.

"... Fine," Raven replied, but his voice seemed a little relieved.

Dan didn't try to stop Laurel.

Bee nodded and turned to leave. She got a few steps before she stopped, "... What happened earlier won't happen again." she stated without turning around, "I lost myself a little... but we need to focus on Laurel." and with that she continued towards the door.

So Laurel went in and took a seat beside her sleeping father.

Raven didn't say anything more as he finished cleaning up.

The next three days flew by in a blur. Bee took some time to apologize to Dan for kicking her. The apology was short and frank but heartfelt.

Bee stayed with Laruel's father almost round the clock and tried to get Laurel out more. She succeeded some of the time and Laurel started cooking for the group, she seemed to enjoy it a little. Bee was doing a good job of holding Danny's temper back but occasionally she'd walk out with a black eye or some bruise. Music was often heard from Danny's room and voices as well, like from a talkshow. She also banned Raven from the room, allowing Dan in if she wanted.

Laurel was starting to act a bit more normal around Raven, especially when she was cooking. But if he brought up her father she almost immediately got defensive.


James continued to do his shows, the neonates hunting at night for clues. Kale continued his nightly chats with Blaze about random things. James didn't see Yue very much, his schedule got really packed, but when he did he never mentioned their last conversation.

Dan already seemed to be over the incident.

So Raven danced around the topic occasionally, trying to figure out why she felt what she had been doing was the only way.

Cong's fever persisted for two days, but finally on the third day he finally seemed to start getting a little better.


Blaze started acting a little off, but she was getting better at hiding what she was feeling.

Laurel was cooking breakfast for Raven when he once again hinted at the subject again. She sighed, stirring the eggs as she thought of a way to answer. "My father's been through too much." she finally decided, "What he needs is love, not anger, he doesn't need to be locked up somewhere. Love is the only thing that eventually gets through to him."


One night Kale turned to Blaze and stared at her rather intently, "Hey." he stated rather suddenly, "You want to come scouting with me tonight?"

Raven was silent for a moment. "... Why do you think you're the only one who can get through to him?"


"Huh?" Blaze asked, surprised. "I doubt I'd be much help."

Laurel was silent for awhile as she scooped up the egg dish she had made and put it on a plate. Then she turned and set it in front of Raven before slowly taking a seat across from him. "Because..." she said quietly, staring at the food, "I'm the only one left he loves."


Kale shrugged, "I think you'd be pretty handy. We'd have to get you a pair of night goggles though, since yours aren't built in." he chuckled.

"... And how will he feel when he realizes what he's been hurting the one person left he loves?" he asked quietly.


Blaze shrugged a little. "If you think I'd be helpful, I guess."

"You've seen it." Laurel stated, "He apologizes and we move on." The defensive air was starting to come back.


Kale nodded, "I think I'd be good if you got out." he smirked.

Raven sighed a little. "... If the roles were reversed, how long would it take you to forgive yourself?" he asked even though he knew she'd probably shut him out again.


Blaze blinked, clearly not seeing the connection.

Laurel shot Raven a small glare, "He loves me and I love him. That's enough. He won't live without me, he's said it himself. I won't let him die." she declared as she stood. "Enjoy your meal." and started to walk out.


"Outside." Kale repeated before gesturing around him, "Out of this camp of madmen." he explained.

"... He's not going to die," Raven noted, even though she probably wasn't listening. He stared at the eggs for a few minutes before finally starting to eat slowly.


Blaze seemed to become more confused, but she didn't ask for clarification.

Bee drifted in after a few minutes, going to fridge to get herself a snack. "He's sleeping rather peacefully." she noted to Raven as she took a seat at the table.


Kale watched Blaze for a moment more before chuckling to himself. "Anyway, I'm going to take off in an hour if you want to come. We can meet up at the side door."

Raven nodded, but didn't say anything.


"What should I bring?" Blaze asked.

"How's Laurel coming along?" Bee asked after a short moment.


Kale shrugged, "Something comfortable, preferably black. It might get a little cold." he added, "Also if you have a gun you prefer, it might be needed."

"... I still haven't really been able to get through to her," Raven admitted.


"I don't have a gun," Blaze replied.

Bee sighed a little as she nodded, "Sometimes I think she's too strong willed for her own good." she admitted, "Too independent even when she clearly needs help."


"Do you have knives or something?" Kale asked as he finished up his pancake, dunking it in more syrup.

Raven didn't reply as he kept eating his eggs.


Blaze nodded a little as she poked at the last of her vegetables.

Bee watched Raven for a few moment longer before standing with a sigh. "... You should make her laugh." she suddenly suggested, "All this dreariness isn't good for either of you."

"Good. Bring a few along." he nodded as he stood, "See you soon then."

Still, Raven didn't say anything.


Blaze nodded a little as she stood and cleaned up her plate.

Bee paused, "... Do you want me to help?" she asked quietly.

Raven shook his head as he finished up and started to clean up.