"Guten Morgen, Darwin." Were the first whispered words which came to him as he slowly came back around. He opened his eyes slowly, blinking equally as slow; Darwin turned his head and looked to the seat beside the bed. He was still in the infirmary, he didn't know how long he'd been here for. He also didn't know when she reappeared. Darwin in a haze of pain remembered seeing Liesel leave the manor. He had heard Charles's words, well at least some of them. He made it seem rather clear that he didn't want her here, or at least he didn't wish for whatever attention would follow her.

Darwin looked her up and down tiredly. She looked pale, her auburn hair hung loosely plaited, though most of it looked like it was escaping the tie. She wore simple clothes consisting of a black vest and tracksuit bottoms; similar to gear they wore when training. Her arms rested against her knees, bandages were wrapped around injuries, but for the most part she seemed to be in one piece. She came off worse out of the two of them, but then Darwin supposed she wasn't flung angrily into a wall by Erik, unlike himself. In fact he hadn't made a move to harm her at all, which was surprising as it was admirable. Warped, but admirable.

"How're you feeling?" Liesel asked while tilting her head to the side as he sat himself up. He nodded slowly and turned to look at her. "Good, I mainly came down to see how you were...and to say farewell."

"You're being kicked out?" Darwin asked with a frown.

Liesel laughed, "No." She calmed her laughter and hung her head. "I had, have, a sister, who I thought was dead for so many years...turns out she's not, and she's living in Washington. When Charles told me to leave, I did, but he found me again and told me that she's alive and well. It's a decent peace offering. I'm leaving, Darwin, I'm leaving to go find my sister. I don't think I'll be back here, but...good luck, in whatever it is you're going to do in the future." Liesel smiled and stood up. She straightened out her top and nodded down at him. "You were right, and thank you for having my back when I needed it. I won't forget that. Bye, Darwin, it was good meeting you." Liesel waved at him and turned away and exited the room.

She inhaled and exhaled slowly, looking both ways of the corridor she stood for a moment or two before turning and walking back up into the space above. Walking along wooden corridors she turned slowly and moved into the study. Charles sat looking out of one of the large windows in the room. Even though she was silent in her entrance he still perked up and looked over his shoulder at her. Liesel smiled and shuffled over to stand by his side. She half wondered what it must be like to be so in tune with everything in one space that you'd sense a presence when all else was silent.

In the end though this thought died, it petered off to nowhere and she was left with empty thoughts of nothing. "I said goodbye to Darwin." Liesel explained, though she was certain that Charles already knew. He nodded slowly and even smiled lightly over that. He was rather glad that at least one person he knew didn't leave things unfinished. "I also explained where I was going." She watched the clouds lazily roll across the sky, with a sigh she looked down to see Charles watching her intently. "Is he going to stay here?"

"It is entirely up to him. I won't force him to, but if he wishes to stay; then he can. There will always be a place for him if he wants to return." He paused to think over his next words before looking from the window and then back to her. "Same goes for you, Liesel." She raised an eyebrow at this, turning slowly she sat down on the window seat. Crossing her arms loosely she looked at him curiously. Charles smiled, "Things may not pan out quite like you want them to with your sister." Liesel's eyes flitted down to the ground, though she nodded; it was clear that she had thought something similar, even if she didn't voice anything. "And if things don't go well, you are more than welcome to come back. You will always have a place here too." Charles smiled at her, he meant it. After years apart there was nothing to say that the reunion would go well, apprehension and caution just niggled at him.

"You...I mean, you aren't leaving me on the doorstep, are you? Or like, leaving immediately after we arrive, are you?" Charles was surprised, he hadn't really ever seen Liesel worried. But she seemed worried over the initial thought of being left to her own devices. He shifted slightly in his wheelchair, he couldn't help but ponder: when was the last time she was on her own? Surely there was a time...a time when she wasn't always seemingly with Erik?

Charles looked at her sadly, she had a fair bit of transitioning to do. He nodded at last though, "I'm not coming with you, to meet a relative stranger, only to ditch you and leave."

"She's not a stranger."

"I said relative, and I meant no pun. You two have not seen each since you were how old?"

Liesel shrugged slowly. "Twelve? I don't know...I can't remember."

"And you're now how old?"

"Twenty-three..." Liesel said slowly, though she'd be twenty-four soon, in a few days.

Charles looked at her kindly, he quickly did the maths. "You've been apart for nearly twelve years. A lot can happen to a person in twelve years, Liesel."

She looked at him for a few seconds before looking about with a frown. "I hardly know my sister...yet...you're right, she is more or less a stranger to me, as I am to her." She was opting to miss out the obvious that she had pretty much grown up with Erik, and he knew her better than anyone probably ever would. She would've loved to have said the same if it was reversed; but no. She felt like she didn't really know him anymore.

"You're family though." Charles said getting her attention again, her sharp green eyes snapped to him. He smiled reassuringly at her, "You're family, and no matter what family will always be there. It'll be a shock to be a part of each other's lives again, but I'm sure you'll settle."

"May I admit I am slightly fearful?"

"I would be worried if you weren't." Charles laughed lightly. Liesel narrowed her eyes at him and pouted somewhat childishly. "Are you ready?"

In all honesty, Liesel didn't have much here. A few changes of clothes and that was about it. She didn't have worldly possessions like a normal person. All the things she owned could fit into a small holdall. Yet she had packed all she had in the morning before going to say bye to Darwin. "Ja..."

"You'll be fine." Charles smiled and reached over to pat her hand. "Come on, you have a sister to reconnect with." And with that said, he let her hand go and started to backtrack before turning and exiting the room.

She watched him go for a moment before jumping up and walking after him. She rushed up to her room and grabbed her bag of things, before running back down. Slowing down on the stairs she looked to the few gathered. Darwin, with help, had managed to come up from the infirmary, he smiled at her somewhat sadly. He was perhaps one of few people who had managed to create a friendship with Liesel. So as such he was sad to see her go, but he understood why she had to leave. 

Sean stood, hands in pockets, smiling lightly at her, looking as casual as ever. Alex stood next to Sean, frowning like usual and looking sceptically at Liesel. It was rather clear he wasn't particularly sad or sorry to see her leave, and then finally there was Hank. He was fixing her with a firm gaze. If he could've he would've come with. He didn't quite like the idea of Charles declining all offers of company for this trip. That wasn't to say that Hank didn't trust Charles could manage, he was more than certain that he could, but Hank's suspicion simply dwelt on who he was accompanying.

What if it was a trap? What if as soon as they were away from the manor something would happen? Yet despite his trepidation, Hank did look at Liesel with dim yellow eyes. The two had a small understanding for each other, an odd little friendship was in the making, and much like Darwin was perhaps one of few to have achieved this with her. "If anything-"

"Yes, Hank, I know." Charles replied shortly while frowning up at the blue furred male. "If anything goes wrong I'll let you know, I'll let you all know. Now stop fussing, please. We have a plane to catch, I will return in a day or so and then we can get to planning out how to get this school up and running, yes? Yes. Good, great, see you soon. Say goodbye now, Liesel, we really do have to move." Charles said while watching as Liesel made awkward farewells before appearing by his side again. "Ready?"

"Ready." She waved at everyone one last time before leaving the manor and shutting the door behind herself. Breathing deeply she looked to the taxi which had been called to take them to the airport. The flight was a short one apparently, which she was thankful for. The longer the flight, the more chances she was going to have second thoughts, or dwell over all the wrong that could happen from seeing Gretchen. Looking down all she got in return was a reassuring smile from Charles. "New start." Was all she quietly heard in her mind before his attention turned back to the yellow vehicle waiting for them.

----

The uneasiness was basically rolling off Liesel. Like Charles was rather sure it was a visible, tangible thing. He could spy other less confident flyers, but Liesel took it to a new level. No sooner had she sat had she pulled the blind down on the window. Then she sat staring up at the ceiling, her gaze didn't move. "You're fine, you know? Nothing is going to happen." Charles offered kindly, her eyes moved from the ceiling and slowly over to him from hearing his voice.

"As reassuring as you're trying to be, and I do appreciate it, I'm afraid to say it doesn't do much. As much as I hate to say it...the confidence of flying has been taken away now that I know that the fail safe against the plane failing is elsewhere being a complete idiot." Charles felt sorry for her, he wasn't typically one for pitying, but he did genuinely feel sorry for her. He hadn't actually fully realised the extent to her and Erik's partnership, relationship, whatever it was. "Can't you knock me out?"

Charles looked up from the floor to Liesel, "We're going to be on this plane for half an hour, if that, I'm sure you can survive that. You've been through worse things." Liesel's eyes dimmed. Okay, perhaps reminding her of past experiences of a horrible nature wasn't wise. Needless to say, Charles slapped a hand to his forehead. He was an idiot. "I'm sorry, Liesel."

"It's fine, totally fine." She shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. "I'll just be here thinking happy thoughts."

"Have you thought about what you're going to do once you get there?" Charles could see the so called 'happy thoughts' weren't actually succeeding, so he thought he'd pipe up again.

"I want to get a job." Liesel's eyes opened slowly and she turned her head stiffly to look at him. Charles looked at her with a smile, it was such a humble request he couldn't help but look somewhat pleased with it. That wasn't to say he expected her to go find her sister and together they could plot world domination. No, he presumed that Liesel had been around enough of these possible aspirations to last a life time. "I want to be happy within that job. And...and I want to go shopping with my sister...I want to live quietly, peacefully and normally, Charles. That's what I really want."

"I think you've got a fine selection of things to do."

"We can stay in contact though, right?" Liesel looked at him with wide worried eyes.

"What I said about not leaving, does extend into contact. We're going to be half an hour away by plane. A minute away by phone call. And however long letters take, there's that too." Charles said, getting a nod each time he put out a suggestion of contact. Liesel nodded with each one, they seemed to settle well with her.

"Can I come back to visit?"

He couldn't help but laugh. It seemed she was really struggling to grasp onto the fact that she was welcome, even if she bought her sister with her, that's if things didn't go downhill once they were back in contact. "Yes," Charles said with a nod while listening to the overhead speaker. 

Liesel's eyes lit up, practically literally, they were landing, landing meant getting off the plane. Though it also meant that it was time to bite the bullet and get to a surprise reunion. Her face darkened as she stood and exited the plane. What if her sister just slammed the door on her face? Liesel's eyes widened suddenly, or perish the thought: she had a tearful breakdown. Liesel didn't do too well with crying, tears, breakdowns, no she wasn't too good with those situations. 

"Can you stop fretting?" She glanced down at Charles, at least he was kind enough to come with her. She had to keep reminding herself that if things didn't go well she could easily just go back with him. Though that'd seem like a waste of time even bothering. But sometimes the only way to be certain that something is doomed, is to try it to begin with.

"I don't know," Liesel said honestly while shouldering her bag strap. "I honestly don't know if I can." Stopping in the taxi bay, she stood and watched as a vehicle moved up the line to where they both were. With a little aid and some choice curse words sent to a wheelchair which seemed to refuse to fold up, Liesel soon slunk into the back seat with Charles. With a sudden awkward laugh she scratched the back of her neck and looked to him, he was looking at her strangely. It was after all the first time she'd laughed for a while. "Darwin's a taxi driver, right? We could've asked him...least then we'd get discounted fares."

Charles shook his head and looked out of the window. "I'm not certain whether he's up for driving just yet." He watched as high rise buildings passed them as they made their way from the airport and fully out into the busy, bustling streets of the city.

While Liesel was struggling to place the wheelchair into the boot of the car, Charles had taken to telling the driver where to go. It seemed that out of the way of all the office blocks and main shopping areas, Liesel's sister had taken up to living in quiet suburbia. The houses were all neat, slightly identical looking, white fencing was around some gardens, it was all very same-same. Charles looked to Liesel, and she looked to him with the same deadpanned expression. Getting out of the car when it stopped, Liesel aided Charles, before shouldering her bag again. 

She minutely listened to the discussion happening behind her, before looking down. "What was that all about?" She asked curiously.

"Over charging," Charles explained with a frown. "Maybe you were right about Darwin." He mumbled and motioned forward as Liesel let out a quiet laugh.

"At least with him, we could've just given him petrol money, yes?" Liesel questioned while falling into step beside him.

"What's this we?" Charles smiled up at her.

Liesel blinked slowly and looked sheepish. "As soon as I get a job, I shall pay you back, how's that?"

"I was joking. I don't expect you to." He said while they stopped at the front door. He tentatively looked up at her, Liesel looked fit to bolt. "Ready?"

"No," she said this while reaching forward and pressing the doorbell. "What does my sister do, to own and live in a house?" Liesel whispered with a bemused look.

"You're thinking this now?" Charles rolled his eyes and looked suddenly to the door when the sound of a latch went. The door slowly opened and a woman, more or less identical to Liesel, apart from the length of hair, and shade of eyes, looked out at them. She looked from Charles, then to Liesel and that's when she faltered backwards and fell to the stairs behind her, she managed to sit down before slouching to the side against the wall.

Charles and Liesel still stood in the doorway. "We made her faint."

"You made her faint."

"Hey!"

"You're the one who looks exactly like her. Unless I've suddenly transformed, which is hugely unlikely, it is you who caused her to faint."

"You'd make a pretty girl, Charles." Liesel laughed while moving into the house. She looked over her shoulder when he merely laughed over her words. Yet he moved slowly in after her, she dumped her bag down near the door and reached over to gently touch her sister on the arm. Liesel hummed and looked about, ducking her head over the banister she narrowed her eyes. "Is that the living room?" Charles got the slight hint and moved down the small corridor, looking into the room he looked to her and nodded. He turned and watched as Liesel placed Gretchen's arm over her shoulder and with a small huff, hauled her up and off of the stairs and moved towards him. Placing her on the sofa, Liesel slowly laid her down and stepped back. "Well, that wasn't quite the reunion I imagined." She said numbly as she looked to the unconscious form. "I feel sort of bad for this but...do you want a cup of tea or coffee? I'm sure she won't mind us making ourselves at home...maybe..." Liesel said awkwardly while Charles looked up at her and shrugged.

"Go on then," he said while making sure at least one of them kept an eye on Gretchen. Liesel nodded and shuffled out of the room, partially for the sake of making drinks, but also because she wanted to explore.

----

Edited: 13/June/2019

Reedited: 24/August/2021