The light hurt. Physically, it pained her eyeballs and her head. Penetrated Jude's brain as if it was made of spikes. She moaned helplessly, a heavy hand falling - as if of its own accord - over her face. The hand was heavy because there was a tube attached to it. She winced, murmuring, "Oh, God."

"Sister. You're awake." A masculine voice. Kind. Low and even. "Slowly now! Slowly." A firm hand aided her in sitting up. "And um..." Some adjustment of sheets. "Protect your modesty."

Sitting up, with a hand over her chest holding stark white sheet in place, she looked around. "Where am I?"

"You are in the Briarcliff infirmary."

She managed a squinting look up at that masculine voice. A tall, lean, gaunt man - white haired. "Who are you?"

"I am Dr. Arthur Arden." The man sat in the chair near her bed. "I hate that we should meet under these circumstances, Sister Jude."

"You know me..." She touched her pounding forehead.

"Here." The man handed her two large white pills and a glass of water. "Acetaminophen, Sister. For your headache."

Without question - with only gratitude that the pain - the pounding, incessant pain should end - she swallowed the pills. And the water was so good she could not stop drinking it. Gulping it. "Slowly!" The man said again. "Slowly, Sister. You're rehydrating on a saline drip at the moment."

And that would explain the pressure and sting in her arm. She looked down at the IV drip attached to her left wrist. "What's happened?" She asked. The pounding continued.

"There's been an incident." The gaunt man explained. "Are you aware enough to comprehend?"

And she took a moment to gauge his question. Yes, she was aware. Aware she was naked, wrapped in a sheet, with a needle in her arm. Aware of the sounds around her: muffled voices, light moans, the clinking of instruments. She was aware. "Yes."

"I was called here Saturday evening by a member of your security staff. A Frank McCann? He'd found you - and other patients and staff - passed out, or in various states of altered consciousnesses."

"Altered..."

"Sister." The doctor poured her another glass of water. Leaned forward in the little chair.He gestured for her arm. "A little sting here." She winced as he quickly, efficiently slipped her drip from her arm, wrapping a cotton ball over the clotting poke point. "I'm afraid there's been...an attack."

"An attack." She cradled her head in one hand. He took her now half glass of water.

"There was a substance introduced into the environment here. Probably by your former physician. One Dr. Phillips, I believe?"

"Yes." Vaguely, it registered.

"A gas in the ventilation system. I believe it to be methamphetamine. And another substance in the water supply that is most definitely D-lysergic acid."

She shook her fuzzy, hurting head. "Acid...?"

"An experimental hallucinogenic compound." The doctor folded his hands before him. "Sister...what's the last thing you remember?"

"I was...on a date? Reuben had..." She grappled with reality. "No. Wait. There was...a meeting. I was going to the garden...oh, God!" Her eyes frantic. "The Monsignor. Mary Eunice! Are they -"

Arden held up long-fingered hands, calming the panicked nun. "Settle down, Sister. They're both accounted for and fine. Shall I give you a timeline for this weekend's events? Offer you more clarity?"

"Please." She dropped her head into both hands now, listening to his soothing voice.

"Today is Monday. It is just after one pm. Late Saturday evening, around 10 pm, I received a call at my home. It was Mr. McCann. He had arrived at the institution around 8:30 pm, unable to reach anyone and suspecting something was wrong. We're very lucky he came. He found the institution in disarray. Some patients locked down and others wandering freely. Staff and patients alike in the grips of various psychoses or simply unconscious, as in your case. You were in your private quarters, on the floor near your bed. Finding you running a dangerously high fever, Mr. McCann put you into a cold hydrotherapy bath and phoned local police. He located my contact information in your desk and called me, as well. The police and security who arrived located all patients and staff expediently and secured the compound.Apparently, the only two people outside of the building were the Monsignor and your Sister Eunice. He was beneath an apple tree just out back. She was located by a dog team in the woods, curled inside a large tree trunk, I understand. I arrived and called in another physician friend from the hospital. Some nurses. We began treating en masse, and airing the facility. Police located the nerve agents in the form of cakes in the ventilation. I began testing food and water sources. When we discovered the LSD, treatments became very clear. Everyone is responding well if not already recovered and re-situated." Seeing her glazed expression at the end of his diatribe, he smiled sympathetically. "Sister. Rest assured this entire situation was quite out of your hands. No one here is to be blamed. Briarcliff on the whole has been the unfortunate victim, I believe, of what is tantamount to vengeful terrorism.The police are on the hunt as we speak for Dr. Phillips."

"I lost control."

"You were in a highly altered state."

"I should have known something was wrong."

"I wouldn't expect a nun to have experience with mind altering substances."

"You said Frank called you?"

"Yes."

"Is he here?"

"Yes. I believe he's in the common room. We converted it to an extra infirmary space temporarily. He's securing patients."

"I'd like ta see him."

Arden rose, nodding. "I'll fetch him for you. Meanwhile." He slid a covered bowl toward her on the bed tray. "Try to drink this broth. You haven't eaten in days." He slid the cream curtain closed when he left her bedside.

Jude's fingers shook as she held the bowl. She managed a few sips of the salty broth. The headache was receding. For some reason, her eyes watered. She worried for Mary Eunice. "In a tree," she whispered to herself. She must have been so scared...

So it was all a dream, Jude reckoned. Or a...hallucination. "Reuben," she murmured. Complete nonsense. Giant squirrels...movie dates. But the thought left her strangely bereft.

"Knock knock." She looked up to see Frank's smile peeking through her curtain. "Ya decent, Sistah?"

She looked down at her sheet-wrapped body. "No."

Frank chuckled, sliding into her curtain. "I know. I brought ya this." He draped a habit across the foot of her bed. There appeared to be underwear, as well. "Fergive me fer riflin' through your dainties."

"Frank."

"Jude."

"I don't know how to thank ya. Far savin' us all."

Frank blushed handsomely. "How 'bout you give me a raincheck on that date?" Now Jude blushed, too. Looked away shyly. "That's how I found ya, ya know. How I found everybody. I was hopin' you'd call, and when ya didn't, I decided ta call you. But I couldn't get anybody on the horn. So I just rushed up here.Figured something was bad wrong."

She nodded. Just seeing his face was reassurance. "I'm uh - gonna get dressed. Will ya take me on a tour? Let me see just what our damages are?"

"Take yer time." Hesitantly, he reached out. Stroked a golden curl behind an ear. Seemed to feel better after he'd done so. "I'll wait right out here."

Dressing was slow going. She was dizzy, probably from lack of food. Her head swam a bit. She had to steady herself twice against a bed rail. When she emerged from the curtain, fully bedecked in habit, she was met by Frank and Dr. Arden. "Sister Jude." Arden nodded to her respectfully. "I'm afraid I must professionally object to your leaving the infirmary at this time. I'm not certain you are in the state of health to resume any duties so quickly."

"Are you intending to restrain me, Doctor?" Jude leveled with the man.

"Of course not, Sister!"

"Well, it's thanks to yar unmatched level of emergency care that I'm able to leave this infirmary at this time. So if you object to my leaving, am I to assume you doubt yar abilities as a physician?"

Frank watched the doctor's mouth work with a grin. Knew exactly what the man was up against in this nun. "Not at all, Sister." Arden gestured toward the door. "Just...return here should you begin to feel poorly."

"Thank you, Dr. Arden." Jude extended a steady hand, and the physician shook it firmly. "And...it's a pleasure to make yar acquaintance."

"Likewise, Sister Jude."

On their way to the door, Jude sidetracked suddenly. "Mary Eunice!" She made her way to the bed beneath the window where an angelic blonde lay sleeping. "Oh, little bird..." Jude perched on the edge of the bed, delicately touching the younger sister's face and hair. Eunice was dressed in a long, white cotton gown, one sleeve pushed up for an IV drip not unlike Jude's. Jude took one pale hand in hers, raised it to her lips and prayed briefly, eyes closed. Frank waited patiently, smiling at the gesture. "I'll see you soon, Sistah." Jude replaced the hand peacefully on Eunice's chest and kissed a very gentle kiss atop the girl's silky head. A sharp glance at Frank. "She nevah hears tell I kissed her head or did any of that mushy stuff, right?"

Frank raised his hands in surrender. "Far be it from me ta tarnish yer hardass reputation, boss."

"Right." Rising, her breath caught. "Monsignor?"

Timothy Howard sat up two beds away from Mary Eunice. He was shirtless in cotton pajama pants, a yellow blanket folded over his shoulders. At the address he looked up, avoiding Jude's eye with little or no expression. "Sister Jude?"

She made her way slowly to his bed. "Are ya alright, Fathah?"

"I am." He closed his eyes. "Bit of a headache."

"Yar Dr. Arden took care of mine pretty quickly." Nodded to the physician tending patients across the room. "I'm certain he'll do the same far you." She bent a little, seeking out his face. He looked away as though it pained him. "Well. I assure ya yar in good hands, Monsignor. And...when yar feeling up to it, we'll have that outing in the garden."

"Oh, God," he dropped his face into his hands."Sister, forgive me."

Jude looked helplessly to Frank, who shrugged like he could give a shit. They left the Monsignor to his weirdness, Jude giving one last glance back at Mary Eunice. Just outside the infirmary she paused against a wall. Frank took her arm. "I'm okay," she said. And she was. "Just a little dizzy spell."

"Yeah? Well, another one of them little dizzy spells and I'm gonna scoop yer ass up and carry ya straight ta bed. Hear me?"

"Don't threaten me with a good time, Frank." Jude smiled, continuing down the corridor. "You coming?" He followed behind her, shaking his head and marveling at the woman.

That evening, Jude cooked for three men. The little table in Briarcliff's kitchen felt awfully cramped with Timothy Howard, Arthur Arden, and Frank McCann crowded around it. It also felt awfully awkward.

The Monsignor was still having some trouble meeting Jude's gaze. Frank's head was so swollen from all of his hero worshiping praise of the day that he was having trouble focusing on the fact that Jude couldn't stop staring at him. And Dr. Arden was wondering exactly what the hell he'd sign on for with this group of obviously repressed people.

"I must say," the physician cleared his throat over coffee. "That was genuinely one of the finest meals I've ever had the pleasure of sharing."

"Sistah Jude is the best damn cook this upside of the equator." Frank winked at her.

"Agreed." Father Howard seemed amenable to Frank's presence tonight. Or perhaps he was just inordinately pleased to not be alone with Jude. "She is possessing of many...talents." He swallowed visibly. "I hope that the two of you shall make a fine team someday."

"I respect an excellent work ethic," Arden stated matter of factly. "And I've certainly seen Sister Jude exhibit that trait today. She was so eager to ascertain the state of the facility that she left care I know far too early." Jude looked down guiltily. Arden pressed her just a bit further. "I also suspect she still harbors some feelings of responsibility and a sense of failure over what happened here."

Jude's expression hardened. She sipped her water, meeting Arden's narrowed eyes. "Yar a very perceptive man, Dr. Arden."

"And you're far too hard on yourself, Sister." He folded his napkin in his lap. "Even the state police were amazed that you continued as long as you did. Your high fever indicates you continued working for some time under the drugs' effects, compromising your immune system significantly."

"Stop blaming yourself, Sister." Timothy spoke up, finally managing a glance at Jude's face. "No one here was at fault."

"Of course, Fathah." She wouldn't argue with him.

"Mr. McCann." The Monsignor's voice offered a reckoning. "We owe you a great gratitude. Were it not for your timely response I understand many of us might have perished. You are...a credit to our institution." And if those words pained him, it only showed in the tensing of his neck.

"Yer too kind, Father." Frank could be civil, as well. Especially when he saw how happy it made Jude. "I like to think luck had a lot ta do with it."

"Indeed?" Timothy leaned forward. "I suppose it could. After all, something brought you to Briarcliff at nearly ten in the evening on what should have been your weekend off." The priest regarded his empty wine glass. 'A most fortunate coincidence."

"Frank called." Jude spoke now, tone even if suggesting some malice. "No one answered. He came. Yes. A most fortunate coincidence." She lifted the silver pitcher. "More coffee?" And Frank tried to hide his grin as he accepted her offer.

After his far more formal welcome to Briarcliff, Dr. Arden took his leave of the diners. He had opted to stay at the asylum that evening - to be handy for any other straggling patients who might need him. Jude walked him to the kitchen doorway. "I thank ya again, Doctor. Far everything you've already done for us. And for all that lies ahead." Another handshake.

Arden half-smiled. "I very much look forward to working with you, Sister Jude. I suspect it will be...an exciting partnership."

Jude chuckled. "I may not understand yar science, but I certainly appreciate yar work."

"I can say the same for you. Oh!" He remembered something. "Sister Mary Eunice was released nearly two hours ago. I'm afraid your delicious dinner made me forget to tell you."

"Ah." Jude nodded. "I'll be sure ta check on her this evening before checks."

"A truly unique soul, that one." Arthur shook his head appreciatively. "Good night, Sister Jude."

"Seems like a nice man." Jude said, gathering plates at the table.

"Seems." Frank joined her, assisting.

"What do you mean by that, Mr. McCann?" The Monsignor gathered a few plates, as well.

"Just funny he was so quick ta figure out all that crazy drug shit. I mean, it's like he took one sniff of the air and got excited."

Jude regarded Frank thoughtfully, considering his words. Timothy discarded immediately. "I believe we're fortunate that he did recognize the situation so expediently." He slid a chair in a bit too forcefully. "Just as we're fortunate you...called when you did."

But Frank was in too good of a mood to take he Monsignor's bait tonight. "Yep. I reckon we are." He shrugged. "Buncha lucky mothafuckahs."

"Frank!" Jude swatted his shoulder with a wet whisk.

"Here." He took the tool from her hands. "Let me finish these dishes."

She didn't argue when he took over. "Sister."

"Yes, Fathah?"

"I appreciate your dedicated service to Briarcliff." He still wasn't looking at her. "Tomorrow morning we shall compile our report to the state board about the incident."

"Very well." She'd ceased seeking out his eyes. "And...I suppose we can take a look at Mary Eunice's garden? If she's feeling up to it."

"I've seen it." His cassock snapped as he turned toward the door. "Good night, Sister Jude. Mr. McCann."

They watched him disappear into the darkened corridor. "Something is really troubling him." Jude remarked, concerned.

"Or he doesn't wanna help wash dishes."

"Frank!"

He laughed. "What?!" She leaned against the table, facing him. "Ya feelin' bettah, Jude?"

"I'm fine." She toyed with a cloth napkin, wringing it. "Did you see me naked?" Frank's lips pursed. She knew that he knew that she wouldn't like his answer, and was considering a lie. "Don't lie ta me."

"I couldn't put ya in a hydrotub in a fuckin' habit, Jude! You woulda drowned!"

"Ya undressed me?!"

"Ya know?" He stepped close to her. "It wasn't exactly tha most romantic moment we evah shared considering I thought yer brain was boiling and yer eyes were rollin' back in yer head."

"So...you didn't peek?" She felt a little better.

"No!" He waved off her concern. "I made sure I took a good hard look just in case -"

"Frank!" She snapped at him, slapping at his arms.

"In case I nevah got anothah chance!" He laughed aloud, trying to get hold of her arms. "Ya got a cute little mole, Jude. Right above yer -"

"Argh!" She growled, pressed her hand over his mouth and he wrapped her in loose, one-armed embrace. They'd been in this same position just a few weeks earlier it seemed. And that had ended in a kiss. This time, Jude slowly brushed her fingers away from his mouth, felt his breath quicken as she touched his lips. "I'm sorry ya lost yar weekend off saving my life."

"I didn't mind."

"I'll schedule you off for this next one."

"You don't have ta do that."

"I'll schedule myself off, too."

"Oh." He smiled softly. "You uh - ya like movies?"

She blinked. Some little fleeting sadness slipped across her irises. Gone as soon as soon as it had appeared. "Oh, Frank. I love movies."

No kiss tonight. They parted ways at the base of the Stairway to Heaven, Frank to check on the lockdown, and Jude to check on one last patient.

The light under Mary Eunice's door was on. Jude knocked softly. "Little Sistah?" She heard Eunice's light steps, but it was some time before the door opened. The face that greeted her frightened her. "My God, Mary Eunice...are you alright?" Eunice only nodded, staring at the floor. Jude's brow creased. "May I come in?"

Eunice hesitated, plucking at her long blonde braid before stepping aside for her older sister. Jude sat at the end of Eunice's bed, watching the girl's bare feet shuffle beneath the hem of her white gown. "I'm worried for ya, Eunice. They told me you...you were in the forest. I wish I'd known." She shook her head sadly. "I wish I could have protected you."

"Sister."

"Yes?"

Finally, Eunice sat on her own bed, feet away from Jude. "You would never hurt me. Would you?"

"Of course not!" Jude was taken aback, mortified by the thought. "What would make you think such a thing?" Eunice curled, covering her face. "What happened to you, Mary Eunice?" Jude took hold of her shoulders, a gentle pull. "What did you see?"

"Sin!" Eunice wept. "My sin, Sister Jude! My - my secrets!"

"Dammit, Eunice." Jude grabbed the girl, pulled her into a stiff embrace. "We're all sinnahs. But what you saw wasn't real. It wasn't from yar heart. It was from a drug. From something man made. Not God, and not the devil. Ya hear me?" Eunice nodded, beginning to relax. Beginning to return Jude's embrace. "Do you wanna tell me? What you saw?"

"No!" Eunice cried into Jude's shoulder. "Not ever."

"Okay! Okay." Jude gentled, rubbing the smaller nun's back. "It's alright." She shushed the weeping, and after a few minutes of rocking back and forth, she began to hum tunelessly. She couldn't tell how long - long enough for her back to ache. Long enough for Eunice to quiet, to go limp in her arms. "There we go," Jude whispered, maneuvering Eunice onto the bed. "I'm sorry, Eunice. Sorry I failed you. I'll make it up to ya somehow."

Her sister slept. Jude pulled the quilt up and over the fey form. Her back popped when she stood. And suddenly the exhaustion hit her in full. A hand on the wall, she made her way to her chambers. No checks tonight. She simply couldn't do it. Frank would have everything under control, anyway.

Her room was chilly. The window was cracked still from the airing of the asylum earlier. Approaching it to close it, she paused at a familiar chitter. "Oh." From her pocket she extracted a few peanuts. Placed them on the sill and smiled. "Yar up awfully late aren't ya, friend?" The little gray squirrel slipped in swiftly, perching and scratching open a nut. Its fluffy tail flicked. "Did ya miss me? Or just the nuts?" It let her give a little scratch beneath an ear before skittering away with two peanuts.

Jude sighed and closed the window. For a moment, she stood there before the glass and grating. The asylum was quiet. She looked down. In the silver moonlight, her profile was soft, and lonely.