A/N: All right everyone - River finally gets close to what she wants and instantly regrets it.

Thanks to Leiasky for the terrific beta and all the great feedback.

And thanks to all of you for continuing to read and respond - you guys are so awesome!

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A NEW DAY, ch. 22: Sweet Revenge

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It was very early, but Rylee was awake. Remembering her dream from the night before with a shiver, she sat up in bed, noticing the very pale color of the sky outside her window. Knowing that no one else was up, she slid out of bed silently, and padded downstairs and out onto the porch that wrapped around the side of their new house, entering the door to her father’s clinic.

The set-up was very similar to Millie’s and Rylee knew that her father enjoyed having something to do, a dedicated place to help people. He had probably adjusted the best out of all them since they’d reached Aberdeen, and usually, the thought of him, smiling at her or laughing with her or holding her would have brought a similar smile to her face. But not today.

With a few tears and a lot of anger, she turned over her forearm, finding the angry red pinprick that he had inflicted on her the night before by sticking her with a needle. She hadn’t wanted him to, Rylee never wanted to see another needle again, never wanted to feel that sharp sting or that burning rush of drugs being injected into her.

But even though she had fought and cried, her father had done it anyway and Rylee needed to be sure that never happened again. Closing the door, Rylee moved towards his cabinets, knowing exactly which drawer held what she was looking for. Climbing up onto a stool, she pulled it open and shivered slightly at the sight, before setting to work.

***

Simon awoke the next morning not feeling any better. Kaylee was still sleeping beside him and not wanting to wake her, as she had had a hard night, he slid out of bed and headed for the twins’ and Rylee’s room, hoping to get the babies before they started crying for b