Regan headed back out into the foyer where she saw Tses finally sleeping soundly. The medication had kicked in and allowed her some pain free rest. Regan quietly placed her back pack on the floor and sat down next to it with her legs crossed under her. She watched Tses closely and saw the peace on her face for the first time, well ever. She sighed and hoped that Ty would be able to help.

Just then Ty walked in the front door and said hello, speak of the devil. Regan motioned to him to keep his voice down as to not wake Tses. She got up off of the floor and pulled Ty over to the other side of the large foyer. “It’s pretty bad. She can’t remember anything. She’s been friendly, bubbly, and generally very giggly. She’s like a completely different person. She’s washed up and borrowed some of my clothes, as well as had something to eat and her medication. I finally got her to rest but I don’t think there is anything more I can really do for her here.” She sighed and looked over her shoulder at Tses still sleeping on the sofa. She was clearly concerned about Tses even after all the hate that Tses had thrown at her back in the woods. She just wanted Tses to get better.

Ty kept his voice low, as instructed, his eyes darting back to her sleeping form every now and again. "Man...this is so...weird. And to think the last time I saw her I'd told her we were done...on Valentine's day no less..." He sighed softly. "I feel like this is somehow my fault. I guess I need to wait around for her to wake up until I try to get her home. I'll take care of her though. I'm not cold-hearted, after all. Just gotta put feelings aside and hope for the best."

He tried to look strong, he really did. But his deep blue eyes showed concern. Maybe deep down, he still cared for her. Or maybe it was just his instincts to ensure her safety. Only time would tell.

Regan frowned at the words coming from Ty’s mouth, it just broke her heart. Without any warning she just reached out and hugged him. It was one of those tight, warm hugs that you just need from a friend every once in a while. “I doubt it’s all your fault Ty. As sweet as she has been, you know full well what she was like before. For all you know she did what I warned her she’d do one day. Mouthed off the wrong person and got her butt kicked.” She let Ty go and took a step back looking over her shoulder at Tses’s sleeping form.

She sighed and crossed her arms. “I’m not sure what else to do Ty. I’m at a loss and feeling useless.” She said staring at Tses with pure concern in her face.

Voices. They moved through her tired mind, making it feel restless and confused. She should know those voices... One was Regan. She helped Tses make food and got her medicine. But she felt like she should remember that voice. In her mind, she felt something that should have gone with it. Anger? Was it anger? Had Regan been angry with her? She didn't know. She tried reaching out for the memory, but it danced out of her reach.

The second voice... it reminded her of something. It made her feel sad, and she didn't know why. Something about that voice made her hurt, made her feel all twisted up inside. She was certain she should remember it, but wasn't sure from where. Just like that name she couldn't think of, it was out of her reach, but there was an emotion there she couldn't quite place. It was enough to cause her eyes to flicker open, and she sat up, blinking at the two figures. She looked at the face of the boy she didn't know, and her face turned into a small confused frown. She couldn't find the memories, or the name. So she sleepily rubbed her eyes and turned to Regan. "What happened to cupcakes." She murmured, then flinched as she moved her hurt arm. She curled it against her stomach protectively, and glanced at the new arrival. "Did you come to make cupcakes too?"[/b]

"I don't know," Ty replied to Regan softly. "As much as I believe in karma and bad luck, I just don't feel good about this in the least. Besides...she didn't deserve what I did to her, and she sure as hell doesn't deserve...this. I was a jerk that day. Now she's right back in the care of...me." He sighed softly, knowing that if she was herself, Tses would probably have a lot of less-than-kind words to say to him.

However, she stirred, and he looked over at her, biting his lip. "Cupcakes? Actually Tses, I came to get you home and take care of you. But we can do cupcakes soon, if you want," he said softly, wanting to cry just from looking at her.

This was not going to be an easy time on his emotions...

Tses wasn't so sure about this. She didn't know this new person, and the only feelings she had were sad when she saw him. Why did she feel sad? Why was he here? Her bare feet touched the ground as she stood, but she looked confused still. "But... Home? But... But Regan was helping take care of me. I don't know you. This isn't home? But there was food and sleeping and stuff here..." Her speech pattern sounded childish, and she wiggled her way in a slow arc until she was behind Regan, peering uncertainly at Ty. Her hands tightened on the back of the tiger woman's shirt, and Tses wondered if the boy would go away. Would he be as fun as Regan? He said they could make cupcakes... she wanted to make cupcakes, but she wasn't sure if she would like 'home'.

"And I just met Regan, and she's really nice, do we have to say goodbye now?" Tses murmured from behind the tiger figure. The protest was a bit weaker, and she was feeling extremely tired still. The medication had dulled her pain, but her head and arm still hurt, and bruises were still forming. Up closer, you could see the marks along her neck taking shape where someone had pressed a shoe hard against her throat, and bruises peaked out from under the bandages on her arms, the white gauze gradually absorbing blood and gaining a crimson tone.

I don't know you...

That hurt Ty deeper than it probably should have, his face looked as if he'd been punched in the stomach. "My name's Ty...and...I'm..." His voice trailed as he finished the sentence. "An old friend.Regan called me because you'll probably recover better in your apartment, surrounded by things you're familiar with. You're going to have to trust us," Ty said gently.

Trust. Ha. Ty really didn't want to do this, but he was the only one who could. There was no one else Tses had been close to. In fact he was probably the only one who was willing to go through what he had. But he didn't want to do this, not really. Emotions were going to be a huge thing here, and he knew it. He told himself he wouldn't fall for her again; just do what he had to do.

"We don't have to leave this second. As long as we get there before dark, we'll be fine," he said softly, his hand in his pocket clenching around the broken necklace and bringing a tear to his eye.

Regan watched the pair talking to each other. Tses had gotten up and made her way behind Regan, clinging to her shirt. She sighed and tried to look over her shoulder at Tses. “Well we could all make cupcakes together so you can see that Ty isn’t here to hurt you. He’s a good friend and knows you better than I do. I think he can help you. He knows where you live and what you like. He is your best chance at getting your memories back.”

She was trying to reassure Tses that everything was going to be ok. That going with Ty would be the best choice. Regan smiled softly at Ty. “We have time to make a quick batch of cupcakes don’t we?” She was trying to take Tses mind off of her fears for the time being, even if it wouldn’t last long, she was going to try.

Tses watched Ty cautiously, and wasn't sure what to think. He seemed ok, but without her memories, it was hard to know for sure. But she trusted Regan, and she said Ty was ok, so he must be right? Tses slowly nodded her head. "I guess we can make cupcakes together... But I wanna lick the spoon!" She declared, and smiled at Regan. Her brain still swirled around the idea of regaining her memories. Part of her didn't want to. That would mean going back to being a meanie face. She wasn't ready to be one of those yet.

With a sudden laugh, Tses took off towards the kitchen, yelling "I'll race you there!" over her shoulder. Her little bare feet moved fast across the carpet, and a small giggle echoes through the hall. It was as if a five year old had took over the 22 year old's body, and she was quite content letting it stay that way.

Ty could only nod in agreement as Regan spoke in his defense. He knew why Tses was unsure about him, even if she wasn't. And he couldn't say he blamed her. This, by far, had to be the most depressing thing he'd ever seen.

But it was short-lived, because the child-like reaction made him smile; he just couldn't help it. Maybe if she'd let that side of her show more, they would have worked. But it was too late for that. Ty just had to do what he promised, because it was the right thing to do regardless.

Ty followed her to the kitchen, though purposely letting her win. He looked back at Regan. "I had no idea she loved cupcakes so much," he said jokingly.

Regan couldn’t help but giggle as the child-like Tses returned. Before she could even reply Tses was running off to the kitchen, followed by Ty. She followed in behind them both with a smile on her feline features. “I don’t really know anything about her. She just wanted to make cupcakes, I don’t think she even knows what a cupcake it right now, but she wants to make them.” She shrugged her shoulders a little at Ty and pointed him towards the large kitchen that was housed in the mansion. Since Tses had ‘won’ the race to the kitchen.

As they arrived, the kitchen had been cleaned up from their earlier mess. Vicente had been right that there was some invisible force at work in the kitchen. She would eventually find out who it was and thank them for all of their hard work.

She made her way around the counter and to the large pantry. “Ok so we have mix for chocolate, carrot, vanilla, and red velvet cupcakes. Which one would you guys like to make? We can pick out an icing for it after we get them in the oven.”

Tses made it to the kitchen first, and did a little victory lap. Then she tried to be patient as she waited for the other two to arrive. They were slow. They didn't race at all. She stuck her tongue out at Ty and Regan when they entered. "You guys didn't race! How come you're bein' all boring?" The comment died as Regan went to get the cupcake mixes. Pouting forgotten, there were more important things now!

Tses hovered over Regan's shoulder and looked at the boxes. Since she couldn't read, and in her current state of mind didn't really think hard enough to managed sounding out the words, she just looked at the pictures. She pointed to the red velvet cupcakes and grinned. "That one! It'll match your hair, which would be awesome, so we should do it!" She seemed pleased with her decision. She wasn't sure what they tasted like, but she was certain they would be delicious.

"Ooo! I can help! What do I do? Do we need frosting? We should get frosting? Frosting is the best part!!!"

It was like she had the attention span of a squirrel.

"Wait! We need a blender! I should run the blender!"

Ty chuckled, shaking his head. "Regan, this definitely isn't the Tses I remember," he replied, partially sad. "Part of me is happy to see her so...energetic, but then I feel guilty because of the circumstances." He sighed, but smiled a little when they reached the kitchen.

"I've only been here like once, Tses. I didn't know where the kitchen was," he teased, sticking his tongue out as he let her pick out the cupcakes. He felt his spirits lifting, but he assumed it was just the cupcakes. After all, cupcakes did that to people.

"Actually," Ty interjected, "Blenders take...skill. They have a tendency of having a mind of their own and getting stuff everywhere. Trust me on this," he said with a chuckle.

Regan chuckled and nodded as Tses picked out the red velvet cupcakes just because they matched her hair. She really liked this Tses, if she did get better; Regan hoped that she would keep some of this personality. “Good choice, red velvet it is then!”

After Tses picked out the mix, Regan read the instructions and gathered up the rest of the ingredients and placed them on the counter before grabbing the mixing bowls and a whisk. She handed the whisk to Tses. “Here, let’s use this. A blender or mixer is a little tricky to use. Trust me cupcake mix in fur is not fun.” She laughed and looked at Ty. “Why don’t you come help her hold the bowl and mix since her arm is broken?”

She knew that this was going to be hard for Ty so she gave him an encouraging smile and a small nod. Tses needed them and she needed to build up a trust in Ty or she would never go with him.

Tses blinked at the whisk in her hand. She stared at the silvery little utensil, her face turned into a little frown, and she sighed very loudly. "Fiiiinnnne. I guess I can use this. The blender would have been more fun. At least, I think it would. I don't think I've ever used one." Her face momentarily seemed to flicker, the edge of a memory just within her reach....

"Ooo! I can help open the box!"

It was gone. After snatching the box then trying for a few moments to open it one handed, she finally relented to accepting Regan's aid. Before long, there was cake mix in the bowl, and she had climbed onto the counter, perching on her knees and staring into the bowl. "It doesn't look like cupcakes. It looks like powdery flowery stuff. Maybe we should make noodles! Noodles always look like noodles. I'm good with noodles! I used to eat them all the time because I can't cook." She babbled, and plucked up the cardboard box, squinting at the letters on it. She seemed oblivious to the fact she referred to something pre-amnesia, now holding the box upside down, now sideways, then right side up again. She pointed at the pictures.

"We need eggs! I can get the eggs!" She started looking for some way back off the counter.