Malcolm ran a hand through his hair and sighed again. "I demanded that you be removed from their care. Even if that Agent didn't believe that you were being abused and raped, even if it was true that you were hurting yourself, obviously the Walter's are not doing anything to keep you safe so they are unfit. There's going to be an investigation into it now. But until then Social Services is requesting that you remain with a guardian." Alice's stomach gave a weird lurch flop sensation. She was exhilerated that there was the hope for help, that the pain could end. But she was also terrified that the Walter's would get away with it and her final months in their care would be the worst ones yet. 
                              
"Was that what made you so angry? That they didn't want to help?" Alice asked, still not understanding his earlier suppressed rage. 
                              
Malcolm looked from the floor up to catch her eyes. His eyes still smoldered with the anger that danced just under the skin. A normal person might find it scary and step away, but Alice found it intensely alluring and stepped towards him before she stopped herself. Now would so not be the time to touch him, she reminded herself. With her stupid hormones convincing her that having a crush on him was a good idea, she'd probably just do something embarassing. 
                              
"I was so angry because they were reluctant to let me act as your guardian." he stated. Alice felt her world tilt a little and was surprised to open her eyes and find herself on the floor with her head between her knees. Malcolm was stroking her back, murmering for her to just breath and relax. Salali was on her other side, holding a glass of water. 
                              
"What...?" Alice asked, confused as to how she'd gotten here.
                              
"You sort of fainted. I don't think you should be moving around so much." Salali reprimanded as she passed the water over. "You sit, you eat and you rest. Nothing else. Do you understand me?" the Native woman demanded, her rough voice filled with caring.
                              
"Yes mama bear." Alice replied automatically. 
                              
Salali grinned down at her, trying not to laugh. "Squirrel actually." she retorted. Alice frowned, now completely lost.
                              
"It'd be more appropriate to call me mama Squirrel." Salali explained. "My name directly translated means squirrel, not bear." 
                              
"Please tell me you weren't named that because you were obsessed with nuts." Alice asked, making both Salali and Malcolm laugh. 
                              
"No, it was because I had very little common sense and tended to run off from one project to the next." Salali admitted with a grin. "Now up you go little satinka. Let's get you on hte couch."
                              
Alice let them help her to her feet, a little embarassed to find herself feeling weak. "What does satinka mean?" she asked, trying to distract herself. 
                              
"Sacred dancer. Now move." Salali explained briefly and carefully husseled Alice to the couch. 
                              
Alice settled onto the couch with a wince as her cracked rib made itself known. She took a few shallow breaths before it stopped hurting so much, grateful that Malcolm handed her the pain killers to go with the water Salali was forcing down her throat. Now that she wasn't so out of it, she could take in details of Salali's home. There was a strange blend of Native culture strewn about with modern Canadian culture and random pieces out of several others. There was a Japanese painted lantern, an intricate Celtic cross and a Mayan mask displayed in cabinets. As different as each piece was, the entire ecclectic whole was beautiful and someone complimented each other. 
                              
"I feel bad, making you waste a day of work yesterday, and then being stuck here with me today." Alice confessed, not wanting to be a bother. 
                              
"Nonesense. Even I don't work on Sundays unless there's an emergenvy." Salali waved off. "Besides, we fed the animals already, Malcolm is going to take them for a run to help him cool off and you can help me catch up on the rest later. Now would you like syrup on your pancakes or just butter?" the large woman asked.