A week had passed since the rather unusual incident with 42, and for the most part, things had begun to settle down. 5 and 7 were settling into those first sleepless few weeks of parenthood, neither envying what 1 and 8 must've gone through with two of them. 9 had taken to spending more and more time with 6, though he did his best to avoid being too out about it. 6 preferred his privacy, and it was the least 9 could do to make sure he maintained some of it.

2 was recovering well, milling around the workshop when 5 came in, a smile bright on his face. "5, my boy, I'm inclined to believe your face is permanently frozen that way. With as little sleep as that rascal lets you get, I can't imagine being that happy."

"You have to take it in stride," 5 pointed out, pleasant and casual. "Besides, you're happy about this, too, "Grampa" 2."

The old-timer gave a jovial laugh at that, smiling broadly at his student. "Best be careful with that, son. I'll spoil her rotten and not feel the least bit guilty about it!" He smiled. "And oddly enough, speaking of littles... I've noticed 9 has been spending whatever time he's not exploring or helping 42... with 6."

If nothing else, that got 5's attention fully. "Has he now. Huh... well, I guess that does make sense. 6 had faith in 9 before we even knew he existed, even if we didn't know what he was talking about... and 9 always believed what 6 told him..."

2 chuckled. "I'm pleased as punch, to be quite frank about it. It'll do them both some good. 6 has been more lucid, and 9's been more grounded. They balance each other out a bit. Though... 9 is still avoiding 196."

"He's afraid to apologize," 5 mused. "Least that's what he told me. He accused her of being the spy, and he feels miserable for it. For everything that's happened since 35 was born, actually. He's happier now, true. But it seems like... I don't know. He's still carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders."

A sigh drifted from his mentor. "You should talk to him. He listens to you." When 5 gave him a skeptical look, 2 huffed, putting his free hand on his hip. "Now it's the truth and you know it. Perhaps not in matters outside the old cathedral or this tower, but where it counts. Emotionally, he looks to you for guidance. You've always worn your heart on your sleeve, 5."

The younger doll sighed in defeat, letting a wry smile drift onto his face. "No one can fault your judgment, 2."

2 chuckled brightly. "Damn straight. I've been alive long enough to catch on to things." Looking quite pleased with himself, he turned back to the work table. "But dealing with 9 will have to come later. We have a long way to go until this place is fully livable, but we'll make it work!"

Following his comment, a companionable silence fell between mentor and student as the day wore on till noon.

*****

"Oh, 7, listen to her. She's healthy as can be, isn't she?"

It was a turn of events 7 had not anticipated. For as frightening and unnatural as 196 looked, the woman had an uncanny way with children. She was holding 35 right now, long fingers of her free hand wiggling in front of the gleefully giggling infant. "You have a way with kids, 196. I never would've expected."

The tall warrior gave a short laugh. "Nor would I. The things we learn..." She smiled as a tiny hand clasped around one of her fingers. "Times like this, I wish I could see. She must be beautiful."

"Well, she is," 7 responded, a sly note in her tone, "but I think I may be a little bit biased." The two remained in silence for a bit after that, listening to 35's happy babbling and laughter. The thought in 7's mind was one she wasn't sure would be prudent to voice, but curiosity was eating away at her. "You know... with how you are with kids... do you think you ever had any of your own?"

196's expression, for being so featureless, was surprisingly easy to read. She was... lost. Contemplative. "I... don't know, really. I get memories in flashes. I remember seeing... faces. Light. Color. Maybe they're my memories, maybe they're not." She murmured quietly to 35, bouncing the baby lightly in her arms as her delighted babbling began to give way to sleepy coos. "I'd like to think they're mine. They seem happy enough."

She fell quiet after that, reaching over to place the infant in her mother's waiting arms. 7 sighed, looking down as 35 nestled comfortably against her chest with a sleepy sigh. "Well, I do hope you remember someday. You're lucky. You have a past. "Ours is... short, at best."

"Might have a past," 196 corrected. "At this point... it really is anyone's guess."

*****

5 was still in high spirits when he left the workshop, despite his intent to find and talk to 9. It was anyone's guess where the youth could be... though he had a pretty good idea. So it was that he found his friend leaving 6's alcove quietly, a warm smile on his face. It was a good expression, considering how stressed out 9 had been since the incident with 196 and 42. "Hey, 9. Keeping busy?"

"Oh! 5!" The younger doll's surprise was as audible as it was visible when he turned to face his friend, lenses pinpricks. "I... uh... I was just checking to see if 6 had any extra ink. For... something I'm writing. But he's, uh... out like a light in there..."

Smiling more broadly, 5 gave his friend a once over, noticing inky stains and hand prints on his chest, arms, sides, and shoulders... to say nothing of the ink on his zipper. "Looks to me like he gave you more ink than you could handle."

9 blinked a few times at the comment, glancing down at himself before he made a startled sound. "I didn't even notice...!"

Grinning, 5 strode over to lay a hand on 9's shoulder. "You don't have to act so embarrassed about it. I know what it's like to be completely infatuated." His smile became warm and fond as he referred to the mother of his child, and that finally got 9 to settle a bit, shoulders relaxing. "I'm glad, actually. 6 has been a lot more grounded since you two started to spend time together. You've been less tense, too. Did you spend the night here?"

"I've spent almost every night here," 9 responded, almost shy. "We ground one another, I guess..."

Another light chuckle rippled out of 5 as he watched 9 shift. Out of the rush of survival, standing as someone just learning to live a life that was at least somewhat peaceful... he was so uncertain. There was a lot more in 9, 5 realized, that reminded him a great deal of himself. "That's good. I was worried, you know, considering how you've been since the incident with 42..."

The change in mood was nearly immediate. 9's expression fell as 5 barely suppressed a wince. He hadn't meant to sour his young friend's good spirits. Silence reigned between them until finally, 9 let out a heavy sigh. "That... that whole situation was such a mess. I can't believe I was so blind..."

"It wasn't your fault, 9," 5 encouraged. "Anyone could've made the same mistake. You did your best with the information you were given, and in the end, things worked out... even if the result was a bit unorthodox."

9 scoffed a bit, quietly. "Unorthodox... 5, you have no idea. I feel awful. 196 never did anything wrong... she's just a lost, confused woman trying to find her past. And now 42... shoved into a life she never asked for!"

5's expression turned speculative as he listened, watching 9 thoughtfully. "She may not have asked for it, but think about it. You said the Scientist wanted us to preserve life, right? To continue. Well, with only nine of us, we wouldn't have been very successful, even with all the littles in the world. What you did, giving 42 a soul with the talisman? Maybe that's what he meant for you."

A puzzled look crossed 9's face at that, his gaze fixed on his friend. "You really think so? Or are you just saying that to make me feel better?"

That made 5 stand just a little straighter, tone and body language flustered. "Wh... no! Of course not! I mean... I mean, I'm not just trying to make you feel better, that is, I just... I really do think that's what the Scientist meant for you! I mean, wouldn't it make sense?" He fidgeted. "...I'm so bad at this sort of thing. Just... you were meant to do great things, 9. I know it. Talk to 196. I doubt she blames you at all."

Though 9 was not entirely sure of his friend's resolve, he couldn't question 5's faith in him. 5 always had been behind him all the way, hadn't he? So lost was he in thought, he hadn't even noticed they'd been walking, winding up in the hall where the various rooms were set up for living. 5 and 7's space was just a little bit further, and he could just hear the sounds of 7 talking with someone – it sounded like 196 – inside. "35 isn't afraid of her?"

"Huh? Oh, of 196? Nah, 35 adores her. As much as a baby can adore anyone, at least. That child has no fear. Takes after her mama." 5 smiled a bit. "Well, almost no fear. She won't sleep unless she can see or hear one of us when she's dozing off. But anything else? She doesn't even blink."

9 chuckled, expression brightening. 5's tone took such a turn whenever he talked about that baby... but then, weren't most new fathers smitten with adoration for their children? It was about time he was musing on this that he saw a tall, lanky figure exit 5 and 7's room. 196. He straightened as she walked toward them, pausing once she was within three or four steps of them, canting her head. She knew someone was there... just not who. "It's 5 and 9," 9 murmured. "Uh... how are you today, 196?"

After her initial nod of acknowledgment, 196 made a soft noise, tipping her ch in up. "Just fine. You all right, 9? You sound tense."

5 cleared his voice box before 9 could respond, and when both turned their faces toward him, he smiled. "Sorry to interrupt, but I'm gonna head on home. You guys have fun."

With a wave, he was off and through the curtain to his and 7's room, gone before a protest could develop in 9's throat. He sighed. Leave it to 5 to find any way to make peace. He must've known 196 was visiting his mate and child. "I'm... not really tense, I guess. Just... I just..."

"Would you like to talk about it?"

"...I would, actually."

"Then walk with me."

There was something about the tall woman's demeanor, gruff and stand-offish as she could be, that set him at ease. He nodded, quietly, and started to walk, aware she was shortening her stride so she would not outpace him. "Are you on sentry duty?"

She nodded. "1 considers my hearing an asset. I find it a burden. Some noises tend to hurt."

"Ah." They both fell quiet for a short bit after that, but by the time they reached the elevator, the guilt had welled up enough in 9 to burst right through his zipper. "...196, I'm so sorry. I... you didn't do anything wrong, and I just..."

"9, stop." Her tone caused any further apology to die in his chest, staring up at her as she spoke. "We all make mistakes, and besides that, you had every reason in the world not to trust me. You went with your gut... and no one was seriously hurt in the end. So relax, please. Go and get some sleep. You look exhausted."

As the warrior climbed into the elevator, moving to lower it slowly, 9 just stood quiet and thoughtful. Maybe she was right?

Besides, he did feel really tired...

*****

42 was perplexed.

Nothing about this strange new world, or the strange creatures that inhabited it, made any sense at all... and yet, these little dolls existed just as humans had before them.

Right now she was waiting for 1, who had said he'd wanted words with her. She wasn't comfortable... wasn't sure. 3 and 4 had shown her things from after her human shell had died... terrible scenes of a world losing a war it had striven so hard to survive. Nothing had lived.

Nothing but them.

They were machines, but machines with souls. They acted human, but were not human at all. They had families and children, friendships and sorrow. They had lives but were not breathing. No hearts beat in the little fabric chests. Only souls powered them. It was disorienting.

Her head tipped up slightly when 1 finally stepped into her sparse little room, expression thoughtful. His sons were not with him, she noted, as they sometimes were when he came in to check on her progress. With 8, then? "You've come a long way, 42," he commented. "How are you adjusting?"

"Slowly." Her answer was, if nothing else, honest. "This... just seems so surreal. Like something from a dream. I know it's real enough, but I feel a bit overwhelmed."

1 nodded. "Understandably, of course. You could use something to ground you. You said you were a teacher in life, yes?" After she had nodded confirmation, the eldest continued. "We have three children in the tower that will be in need of proper education. We can teach them of the past, of course, but they would do to learn to figure and write from someone trained to offer such knowledge. And, perhaps, by learning the folly of man, they may learn from it... so that they will not make the same mistakes."

42 looked thoughtful, genuinely considering the offer in front of her. "That would be a definite comfort. Teaching was my one joy in life. However, while I know you would approve of my teaching your sons... I'm not entirely sure if 7 would be so accepting."

"She will come around." However cryptic the answer, 1 did not stop to explain himself. "In any case, you will have ample time to prepare."

She nodded faintly, hand lifting to toy with the collar she wore. "Of course. Thank you, 1, for giving me this opportunity."

1 barely spared her a smile. "But of course. After all... we must work together if we are to survive what's left of this wretched world."

*****

9 was exhausted. 6 was up and about in his alcove now, something having gotten him into an absolutely giddy mood. He, however, had curled right up on the bed when he'd arrived, barely able to keep his lenses open.

6 had smiled at him in that oddly cryptic way, scurrying over to place a thick, heavy scrap of fabric over his mate like a blanket, touching his face with the tips of his pen nib fingers before getting back to whatever he was drawing. He was humming, too. It sounded like the lullaby he had heard 5 sing to 35 on occasion. Lifting his head, he tried to get a look at what 6 was drawing, but exhaustion drew his head back down and pulled him into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Once he was soundly in his rest cycle, 6 gave him a long look, almost eerily serene. "Not long now, 9," he murmured, quiet and assured. "Not long. Not long now, and we'll sing too."

*****

42 had been right about one thing: the mere mention of the very monster that had terrorized them on the day 35 was born made her bristle at best, but considering letting her teach her child? That drew her very nearly into a fit of rage.

"No!" She was shouting, but sometimes she felt it was the only way to get through to 1. Besides, they were in the throne room, far from where 35 was napping with her father, and 1's sons were getting some early self-defense training from 8 in one of the more empty rooms. No one around to be disturbed. "I am not letting that... that thing within a claw's reach of my baby!"

1 scoffed at her. "She has come a long way from that, and we must all pull our own weight here to survive. The woman was a teacher, and the children need a proper education!"

7's lip curled. "From their parents! 5 and I both can read, write, and figure. 35 can learn from us. Maybe 42 is okay now, maybe she's not, but I won't have it!"

"You trust 196," 1 pointed out, tone sharp. "She's been here less time."

The female bristled, scowling. "196 didn't try to kill 2! Or did you just decide that wasn't important information?!"

The scowl on 1's face after that could have boiled water. "You act as though one can never redeem themselves, 7."

Stricken, 7 drew back with an affronted sound. "Your situation was nothing like this, 1, and you know it!"

In all truth, the pair probably could have kept at their argument for hours. They probably would have, had the familiar shuffle of 6's uneven steps not drawn their attention tot eh door. The artist was beaming, clutching a sheet of paper to his chest as he rushed over to 7. Though she gave 1 a sharp look indicating their conversation was far from over, her expression softened when she returned her gaze to the soothsayer. "What's the matter, 6?"

6 just beamed even more, pushing the paper into 7's hands. "Here. Here, 7. See? We'll sing too soon. Like you, and like 5."

Baffled at 6's behavior, 7 held the drawing up to look at. It reminded her a great deal of the one she and 5 had hanging in their room... a reminder of the premonition 6 had of their own precious daughter.

7 smiled.

"For the future," she quoted gently, touching the scribbled 9 that hung near the scratchy figure drawn holding what looked like a baby. "Right, 6?"

6 nodded brightly, pleased she'd understood. "For the future."

To Be Continued