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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."