Lily remembered she was pregnant the last time she saw Nick. She chuckled, palming her flat stomach. "I already gave birth," she said.

"Was it a boy?" Nick asked curiously.

"A boy and a girl," she replied, smiling and displaying her fingers.

Nick's eyes lit up, his guarded demeanor softening. "Twins? Wow!"

Lily, gentle with children, chuckled. "I'll bring you to meet them when we have the chance." Seeing Nick reminded her of them.

"I'd love to meet them, but I don't think I can..." Nick's voice trailed off, his head bowed.

A wave of sorrow washed over Lily. "Why can't you? You'll meet them when we go back."

"Can we?" He looked up expectantly, his vulnerability saddening her.

"Yes, of course!" She pulled him close, the gesture both for him and a reassurance to herself. She had almost given up, believing herself no match for the queen, ready to accept death. But seeing Nick changed her mind. How can I give up now? My children need me, and Mike is waiting for Nicky's return, she thought.

"I believe you, Lily." A faint smile touched Nick's lips.

Leaving the room, Lily told the guard, "I'd like to see Her Majesty."

He led her to Yasmin's room. The queen, seeing Lily, asked, "Have you come to tell me to give up on the experiment?" Yasmin knew of Lily's visit to Nick, understanding the reason for her arrival.

"No, I just want to go to the lab," Lily shook her head.

Yasmin's eyes widened. "You want to go to the lab? For what?"

"I want to refine R10. I want to see if I can increase its success rate or alter its nature," Lily said thoughtfully.

The queen was perplexed. "What do you mean?"

"Fred proposed the experiment, didn't he? I only had the formula initially. I didn't know its purpose because he—or should I say you—kept it from me and everyone else."