Madison seeks help.

Ross was stretched out on the couch, mindlessly playing a generic first-person shooter when Madison entered the apartment. He immediately knew something was wrong when, instead of embracing him and asking about his day, she sat down next to him and cleared her throat awkwardly. He paused the game and turned to her.

"Hey, Mads. Is everything ok?"

He studied her face while she searched for words. He was surprised to realize that she was genuinely upset. After a moment, she finally spoke.

"I think... I think something's wrong with me," she croaked. "I don't know what's happening."

Ross took her hands in his and rubbed them soothingly. "What do you mean?" he asked, trying not let his growing concern seep into his voice. "What happened?"

She looked down at his hands for a moment, then made eye contact. Her eyes were red and watery. "I just... I don't know. I think it's the nitrates. I feel like I'm being controlled."

Ross's eyes widened and his concern blossomed into panic. "Oh, shit," he said softly. "Is it like with Chambers? Did someone modify you?"

"No! I mean, I don't think so. I just... it's like I'm getting these messages in my head to do stuff. Like someone is beaming commands to me from somewhere else."

"What kind of commands?"

"Like I should tell people about myself, give up my secret. But it's more than that! It's like these sharp, sudden flashes happen to me."

"Jesus, Mads." Ross was sweating now, trying to keep his voice level. "What kind of flashes? Can you give me an example?"

Madison thought for a moment. "When Regina and I were talking about Lauren-"

"The new golem TA?"

"Yeah. She started talking about abusing her, degrading her, and-"

fuck her fuck her FUCK HER

Madison suddenly bit down on her knuckles and muffled a cry. "It just happened again!" she said after regaining her composure. "I just- it's like my whole cognitive process hiccups and I get this burst of- of-"

"Emotion," Ross finished with wonder. "Do you want to hurt Regina? Want to make her suffer?"

"I know what emotions are," she muttered. "I have all of the memories and emotional complexity of the original Madison Hill, remember?"

"You remember having emotions," Ross said. "You've never actually felt them, though. I think you were feeling anger."

"But that doesn't make any sense!" Madison said suddenly. "Why would I be angry at Regina for saying that stuff about Lauren? I don't give a shit about Lauren! It's completely goddamn irrational!"

Ross smiled and put his hand on her face. He felt wet warmth on his cheek and his heart swelled. "Welcome to the world of emotion, Madison."