Ruby felt an arm wrap around her waist. A hand was gently massaging the small of her back. She sighed in contentment. “That feels nice,” she murmured sleepily, not yet opening her eyes.

            “You could always skip school today,” said an amused voice. Ruby frowned. The voice was soft, smooth, velvety…the exact opposite of Giacomo. Irritably she opened her eyes about to tell Kaisuke off. However the words got caught in her throat as she gazed at the man lying next to her. With an angry shriek she flung herself out of the bed, away from him. She miscalculated her movement however, and ended up on the floor. A sharp pain went shooting up her spine.

            Snarling she stood up. “YOU’RE THE BASTARD WHO KILLED TOPAZ!” she screeched, glaring down at him.

            “I didn’t kill her. Actually it was Kaisuke and Ezekiel if I’m not mistaken,” he replied smoothly. He raised an eyebrow. “And good morning to you as well Hollie.”

            “What the fuck are ya talkin’ ‘bout?!” she roared. “You murder my sista, and you can’t even be bothered to remember my name?!” she raged. Ruby saw the look of complete confusion cross his face. That did it for her. He doesn’t even remember. My sista meant so little to him that her death was completely forgettable! Well, I’ll make him remember! And then I’ll avenge her!

            She started for him, ready to smash him into itty-bitty pieces. Ruby grabbed him by the shoulders, taking him by surprise. She tossed him onto the floor. For a second she wondered why it was so difficult, but the thought was thrown aside quickly. All she wanted to do was kill him.

            “Mommy…?” Ruby turned and saw a child, no more than two years old, standing in the doorway, looking at them. Shocked by his appearance, she stopped.

            “Komali, please go back to your room,” Dante said, his eyes not leaving Ruby for a moment.

            The little looked on for a second longer, then turned and hurried away.

            “You’re not Hollie,” Dante stated calmly.

            “Gee, what gave me away?” Ruby said sarcastically. “Given I look nothin’ like that kid.” She moved a few strands of hair out of her eyes. She stopped. Reaching back, she pulled some of her hair forward and examined it. It was long and brunette. Uneasily, Ruby then noticed her hands. They were pale and pinkish, with long crooked fingernails. “Wha…what the hell is goin’ on?!” she said in astonishment.

            “I must ask you to keep your voice down,” Dante said coldly. “You’ll frighten the children and wake the baby.”

            “Yeah, whatever, just undo this!” she hissed.

            “I don’t know how,” he replied, a hint of embarrassment evident. “I didn’t cause this.”

            “Well what good are ya then?” she snarled. Then she moaned in frustration. “I’m short, I’m blind, and I’m white!”

            “Racism is on both sides,” he reprimanded her. “I’d suggest you get used to this, at least until we can find a way to bring my wife back.”

            “Where’s she?” Ruby retorted in disgust.

            “Obviously she’s in your body,” Dante replied, his tone frosty. “And until she allows contact through our mind link, I can’t find out how we can fix this.”

            “Isn’t that swell,” Ruby muttered. “So I’m stuck like this?”

            “For now,” Dante said, his voice calm. “I doubt it’s permanent. However, until we can contact Hollie, you’ll have to assume her role.”

            “Meaning?”

            “Meaning you’ll have to go to school in her place. And you’ll have to tend to the children. Starting with Komali. I believe you scared him this morning. So go fix it.”

            She was about to make a nasty comment about fixing it himself, then stopped herself. After all, she knew it wasn’t the kids’ fault this happened. “A’ight, I’ll do it,” she said reluctantly. “But I have a question.”

            “Yes?” he asked, getting annoyed.