Knowing that she couldn't really do anything else for the time being, Sienna settled back to her homework, fruitlessly staring at the same sentences for minutes at a time before scribbling nonsense answers. The day passed quickly as she tried to clear her homework so she could spend Sunday working on her new pet project.

Her mother was concerned when she came into the house and couldn't find Sienna downstairs. To say she was surprised to find her in her bedroom would be an understatement. She was visibly stunned to see her daughter lying on her bed, completely at ease. Sienna looked up from the book she had been reading. "Hey Mum. Did you want me to set the table." She swung her legs of the side, stood up, and casually walked over to her mother.

"Yes please, Baby-girl," she choked the words past the lump of questions she was trying to suppress. The last time Sienna had stayed in her room all day was because she was to frightened to get out of the bed. She had NEVER seen her daughter so at ease. Usually she would leap out of her bed and be across the room in 2 seconds flat. Now, for the first time, she stood calmly in the centre of her room.

"Is everything okay?" Shocked out of her trance she finally focused on her daughter's smiling face, "Oh. Yes. Of course." Sienna looked at her mother as though she was the one acting strange, "um... can I get passed then? So I can set the table?" "Oh. Sorry" She stepped back and watched in disbelief as her formally cowed and withdrawn child walked down the hallway with a new found confidence. As she started down the stairs, her mother felt a small smile crease the corners of her lips. Unsure what had happened, she decided to embrace it. This was a gift and she was not gonna question it.

*********************************************************************

As they finished their dinner, Sienna was surprised at herself as she kept up a lively chatter about things she didn't even remember reading that day. It was as she started collecting up the dishes that she chose to broach the topics that had sat at the forefront of her mind. "Mum, is it alright if I ask Mrs Graham to take me to the library? There's an assignment I need more information on."

She could feel her jaw drop before she collected herself, "you want to go out? You want to go to the library with someone else?"

Sienna placed the dishes in the sink, "Well yeah. I mean, if it's okay. I need to finish the project and you gotta work, sooo... If it's okay, can I ask?"

"Ah... yeah... I guess. But ask nicely. And if she says no-"

"I know. But it can't hurt to ask, right?" Sienna smiled at her mother before pushing in her chair. She turned and started heading for the stairs. Just as she was approaching them she stopped, turning as though something urgent had just occurred to her. "Oh, I almost forgot. I wanted to ask you something." She took a step forward before hesitating. Indecision was plainly written across her face as she looked at her mother. Still seated at the table with a cup of coffee she tiredly rubbed her face, "Go ahead Sweetheart. What is it?"

Still looking uncertain, Sienna took a deep breath and said, "I was wondering... I mean if it's possible... I know it probably won't be but... well..." She paused for a second while she tried to figure the best way to phrase it. Figuring direct is the best approach she continued, "I want to learn self defence."

The confusion she'd felt from the moment she came through the door was once again furrowed her mother's brow as she tried to figure out Sienna's thought process, "Self defence? Is something wrong? If someone's bullying you it's best if you speak to a teacher or me. I don't want you fighting."

"No mum, it's nothing like that!" Sienna hurried to reassure her. "I just- some kids were talking and saying how much fun it is. Dayton does Taekwondo and Janie does kick boxing. It just sounds like fun... and I'd be learning something useful too! I'm not always gonna be here for you to look after me."

Hope is written all over her face as she pleaded with her mother. "I don't know. Between your art class, soccer, and guides..."

"Oh. I meant I want to do it instead." Her mothers confused face encourages her to expound. "I'd be doing a sport so I wouldn't need soccer, I can do art at home if I feel like drawing, and I've missed so many Guide meetings I haven't got any badges... Besides, wouldn't it be cheaper doing one thing instead of three?" While she tries to hide it, she can see her mother's attention catch at that point. Money is always an issue. She knew that these activities ate a huge chunk of her mother's pay each week, but the therapist had encouraged her socialising, forcing interactions with other children her own age. Her mother would do whatever it took to help her. Even if it meant working 3 jobs. If Sienna was only involved in one activity instead of 3... if she only had one uniform to wash each week... Sienna wasn't particularly close to anyone at these places... and she did seem so much better...

"We'll see how you feel about it in a few weeks. If you still want to do it, we'll talk to Dr. Suki, okay?"

At her mother's words Sienna raced forward and threw her arms around her mother, "Thank you! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!" Her mother held her close, rocking slightly as she hugged her daughter. It wasn't strange for Sienna to cling to her. What was odd was the reason for it. Usually she huddled close in fear. Usually cold tears would soak into her shoulder as Sienna sobbed. Usually she would cling and cry until exhaustion overtook her. Not this time.

"Mum? You can let go now." Still beaming, Sienna extricated herself from her mothers arms. "Oh I can't wait! What should I do. Should I just do self defence, or can I do martial arts? I could do Karate, or Taekwondo. Maybe kick boxing..." With a small laugh Sienna ran excitedly for the stairs. "This is going to be great!"

"Sienna, I said we'd talk about it!" At her mother's shout, Sienna raced back and poked her head around the door, "I know but it's really the best idea. Way better than soccer!" She flashed a toothy smile at her mother. The corner of her mother's mouth turned up in a small crooked grin, "better than soccer?" Sienna nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah. No rain or mud!" She wrinkled her nose before dashing upstairs.

Watching the doorway her daughter had disappeared through, Sienna's mother felt tears burning behind her eyelids. The little girl upstairs was not the same child she'd tucked into bed last night. This was not the frightened girl of the last 5 years. This was the toddler who played hide and seek with her mummy. The same one who chased rainbows with her daddy. This was her little girl finally waking up from the nightmare she'd been trapped in for so long.

She used her wrist to wipe the silent tears from her cheeks

She was getting her baby girl back!