[Grace catches most of Laura's dead weight before she hits the ground and she crumples down next to Laura, her own headache getting the better of her.]

Okay, this is not good time to pass out, Laura.

[She hears voices and half drags Laura into the cover of a bush just before a bickering Roman and Sam pass by. Laura starts to moan and Grace quickly clamps her hand over Laura's mouth until they are out of earshot. Pressing her fingers to her temples, she tries to think.]

Right, well going back to camp obviously isn't an option with the Salem Mafia out there. [Looks down at Laura who seems to be coming around.] Looks like we're going back to square one. C'mon Laura, time to get moving again. [She eases Laura into a sitting position and then slings Laura's arm over her own shoulder.]

Laura: Ow. Lord, be careful would you, Ma... [Closes her eyes tightly as the nausea washes over her.] What do you call yourself anyway?

[A small laugh escapes her.] Still on that are we? You don't give up easily, do you? [The two women struggle to their feet and set off in a southerly direction. Time passes in relative silence as they stumble through the undergrowth. Finally, feeling a little more clear-headed, Laura speaks.]

Laura: Marlena is my friend. I love her and I don't give up on the people I love. [Harshly.] But then, I guess you wouldn't understand that concept.

[A touch of irony shading her words as the cabin comes into sight.] Guess not. [Darkly.] Your loyalty is touching, but nonetheless pointless, Laura. Marlena is gone and she won't be coming back.

[They reach the door of the cabin and Grace pulls it open, guiding Laura into the darkened room. Laura sinks onto the soft bed gratefully and curls up against the pillows as Grace sets about boiling some water.]

Laura: [A little stunned at the admission.] You sound very sure about that....

Grace, Laura. The name is Grace.

Laura: [Sinks into thoughtful silence. Her head still throbs mercilessly and she can barely think straight. Her eyelids flutter as Grace lights a candle and brings it close to the bed.] Grace. Well, I would say nice to meet you, but under the circumstances....

[Chuckles as she hands Laura a mug of hot tea.] C'mon Laura, we haven't exactly been big on civility so far. Why start now?

Laura: [Her lips curl at the corners slightly.] That was your one mistake you know. If you hadn't tried to hard to bait me... maybe I wouldn't have looked so closely.

[Allowing herself a smile of her own as she slides onto the bed and sits facing Laura.] You make it too easy. And besides. Maybe I wanted you to work it out.

Laura: [Tapping her fingernail on the mug.] Maybe.... [Looks around her and asks the question, even though she already knows the answer.] So, why here?

[Grins.] You know the answer to that, Laura. You've already told me you're not stupid, so don't try that act on with me now.

Laura: It's hardly fair, Grace. After I helped you...

Ahh yes. Nothing good ever came of depriving a person of their free will was it? [Her eyes narrow.] I never said I wanted anything good to come of it, honey.

Laura: [Carefully ignoring her implications.] All right, so there will be questions. What if I promised you I won't tell anyone the truth? About you I mean.

[There is silence for a moment and then Grace laughs.] And why would you do that, Laura? You've already proclaimed your loyalty to Marlena. So why would you protect me? [She stops short and then comprehension filters through her expression.] Oh, I see. You think if you keep me close you can somehow "rescue" Marlena.

Laura: [Shrugs painfully.] You've already told me that *you* believe she's not coming back, so what do you have to lose? If you keep me here against my will, they will come looking for us, and sooner rather than later, you know that. And the questions will be unrelenting then. But if you choose to trust me, we can go back to camp and pretend as though nothing has happened. If I break your trust and tell everyone that you're not Marlena then I have no hope of getting her back. We both lose then. It seems like a no-brainer to me.

[Thoughtfully.] I don't trust anyone Laura. It's not in my nature.

Laura: [Softly] Maybe you've never had anyone you can trust, Grace. Or are you afraid that if you let me in I'll slip through that chink in your armor and find Marlena inside?

[Narrows her eyes once again and then surprisingly, she laughs.] You really are too much, Laura. Enough with the reverse psychology already. [She takes a sip of her tea.] I'll think about it, okay? I'll think about it.
confessed by Marlena at 8:39 PM