A/N: I know it's been forever. But I promised myself I'd update this over winter break. I apologize for the long wait, I don't really have an excuse except that school's been a bitch. Anyway, I hope you enjoy! :)

Rubbing her eyes, Sarah silently prayed for strength. She could handle the clones, and the monitors, but Beth stuck in her head was starting to take its toll on her and it's only been six hours. "Not now, Beth. Please? Let's just sleep, I'll tell you, but I just need quiet and sleep right now," Sarah pleaded with the cop.

Beth nodded and agreed, Alright.

Sarah was just about to hit REM sleep when she heard Beth softly mutter, I really am sorry, Sarah.

Sarah nodded and replied sleepily, "I know, Beth. Just get some sleep and we'll deal with this when we wake up. Okay?"

For the next four hours Sarah and Beth were able to sleep without interruption. The apartment was warming up from the streaming sunlight and the streets began to produce sounds from people walking on the sidewalk and cars driving by. It was only when there was a knocking at the door that Sarah and Beth roused from their spot on the couch. Sarah was quick to mutter a curse at whoever was at the door, while Beth just tried to get back to sleep.

Getting off the couch, Sarah crossed the room and opened the door to reveal a very anxious Alison. "Alison, what're you doing here?" Sarah asked, still half asleep.

"You said I could come over later, remember?" Alison said as she stepped into the apartment and moved into the living room.

Sarah was left in her wake to close the door and follow pursuit. "Alison now's not the greatest time."

"Why not? Did she leave without saying goodbye again?" Alison's eyes showed little emotion, trying to push down the hurt she'd feel if that was the case. She wanted to show that she was stronger now, show who? Well, Alison was still trying to figure that out.

"No, Beth's still here," Sarah reassured while suppressing a yawn. "It's just I'm not dressed and we're both tired and in need of a shower and some coffee.

"Sarah go do what you need to do, I'll make you some coffee and straighten up."

Sarah was about to protest, but Alison didn't look like she was going to accept no for an answer, so she waved Alison off and headed into the bathroom. Entering the bathroom, she turned on the shower and looked in the mirror. "This is going to be weird," Sarah muttered.

Don't worry, I'm not gonna stare at you in the shower, Beth joked.

"Yeah, please don't." The punk smiled as she got undressed and hopped into the shower.

Half an hour later, Sarah was out of the shower and in a fresh pair of clothes: jeans and a sweater. Walking out into the living room, she spotted Alison sitting on the couch. Alison's knees were together and her back was straight in its usual Alison pose. Her hands were fiddling with the mug of tea in her hands and she smiled at the punk. Sarah returned the smile as she headed into the kitchen to make herself a cup of coffee. Heaven knows she needs it more than anything at the moment.

With a warm cup of coffee in her hand, Sarah crossed the room and took a seat next to Alison. Alison's gaze was still on her mug, having Sarah sitting so close and knowing Beth was still there wasn't doing anything to help calm her nerves. "Hey, Alison, you alright?" Sarah asked.

Alison looked up and found those identical eyes staring at her. "I'm not sure, Sarah. This is confusing."

"Tell me about it," Sarah mumbled as she finished her cup of coffee. Placing the now empty cup onto the table, Sarah turned her attention back to the soccer mom. "Do you want to talk to her?"

"Does she want to talk to me?" Alison inquired.

"Of course she does." Sarah replied not waiting for Beth to respond. And before she knew it the former cop was being shoved forward and Sarah was replacing Beth's spot in the back, watching the two with attentive eyes. You should probably say somethin' before she starts freaking out, Beth. This is Alison we're with.

Beth nodded at Sarah's words then slowly turned her gaze up at the woman who was sitting there anxious and high-strung. "Hey, Ali," Beth started.

"Beth?"

"Yeah, it's me." Alison smiled fondly at her before she slapped her arm hard. "Ow! Hey this is Sarah's body you know!"

Hey if it's you she's hitting, I'm all for the bruise, Sarah mused.

"Elizabeth Childs, I swear. What are you doing exactly?"

Beth rubbed her arm and shrugged. "I just wanted to say good-bye to you, is that so horrible?"

"Well you shouldn't have had to say good-bye in the first place," Alison argued. "You should've come to me. I would've helped you. Then we wouldn't be in this position in the first place. You're stuck in Sarah's body for Heaven's sake."
"I couldn't come to you, Ali. It wasn't that simple. I had to protect you from all of that. And if you were safe then that was enough for me. I would jump in front of a thousand trains if it meant that you didn't have to worry about Maggie Chen's kind. They were trying to kill us. And yeah I lost myself along the way but it was worth it, because you're safe now."

Alison stared at Beth with tears forming in her eyes. Beth was shaking and Sarah tried to help her calm her body down, but there was little difference. Sarah knew she should tell Beth about Helena, but she didn't want to be the one to interrupt this tense moment between the soccer mom and the cop. Beth's fists clenched and unclenched trying to disrupt her nerves however her eyes stayed trained on their identical pair.

Beth knew she was hurting Alison, the very person she swore to protect, and the hurt was killing Beth as well. So she slowly scooted closer to her and tenderly wrapped her arms around the crying soccer mom. Beth then placed a gentle kiss to her tear-stained cheek before burying her face in the crook of Alison's neck. "Ali, I'm so sorry. Sorry about everything. I wish I could take it back, but I can't. And for now I'm not going anywhere," Beth whispered in her ear.

Alison hugged the woman tighter and closer, not wanting to release her grip anytime soon. However her wish to hold Beth all day was extinguished when Sarah's phone rang. Pulling apart, Beth gave Alison an apologetic smile and got up to answer the cell. Picking up the small black phone Beth pressed the accept button and brought it to her ear just as Sarah forced herself forward again and Beth to the back. "Are you coming?" The voice on the other line questioned.

"Yeah, I'm on my way." Sarah replied before hanging up. She then turned to the soccer mom on the couch and said, "Sorry, Alison, but I gotta go meet Kira. I totally spaced. I'll call ya, or rather, Beth will call you later."

Alison nodded as she collected herself. "Of course, I'll talk to you both later." Alison stood up from the couch and threw her arms around Sarah in a fierce hug. Sarah, confused as to what was happening, gently patted her back as best she could due to Alison hugging her so tight. "Thank you Sarah."

"Uh, you're welcome." Sarah offered as she and Alison broke apart. The two shared a small smile for a moment. Sarah then walked over to the door and held it open for her identical to pass through first.

Watching Alison drive away, Sarah released a breath and rub her hand over her eyes. She knew things were about to get really interesting soon. How? She didn't know, she just knew she was in for a hell of a roller coaster ride.

A/N: thoughts? Review! :)