Agnes and Becka try to help Nicole/Jade as Aunt Lydia had asked them, but it is difficult. Jade doesn’t know how to sit properly and complains about the food in the dining hall. Agnes and Becka caution her that people are watching.

Nicole knows that the two young Aunts do not approve of her, but she has no one else to talk to. She tries not to let her fear and loneliness get the better of her. Nicole thinks often about Garth, wondering if he has a girlfriend. She’s anxious for Mayday’s source to contact her. She worries that there is no source and that she will be stuck in Gilead with no one to help her get out.

Agnes complains about how untidy Jade is and how she does not adhere to rules, such as authorized hours for showering. Jade’s tattoo bothers the young Aunts. When Jade says God is an imaginary friend, Becka angrily tells Jade that God is not imaginary and says that she should have the tattoo removed.

Agnes and Becka ask Jade why there are sounds of thumping and shouting coming from her room. Jade says that she is “working out,” to keep her body strong in case a man attacks her. Becka must sit down; women do not hit men, unless it is through some sanctioned event like a Particicution. If a man does something to a woman, it is partly her fault. Jade calls this idea “victim blaming.”

Aunt Lydia calls Agnes and Becka to her office after four days, to ask about Jade’s progress. Agnes reluctantly says that Jade does not know how to behave properly. Aunt Lydia comments that Jade doesn’t know any better and that it is their duty to teach her safer ways. Becka says that they been trying.

Agnes continues to receive mystery files on her desk at the library. She can’t decide whether it would be a fortunate thing to be a full Aunt, with access to secret knowledge and the ability to mete out punishment. One day, Agnes finds an Archive file on her desk, with a note clipped to it that reads: “Agnes Jemima’s Bloodline.” Inside, there is a record of Commander Kyle, Paula, and their son Mark. The record mentions Ofkyle also, since she was Mark’s birth mother, which is how Agnes learns that her name was Crystal.

Agnes finds a picture of her mother. The woman is young, with light hair. Her name is redacted with heavy ink and there is a new notation: “Mother of Agnes Jemima, now Aunt Victoria. Escaped to Canada. Currently working for Mayday terrorist intelligence. Two elimination attempts made (failed).” There is also an entry for Agnes’s biological father, with his name redacted, with the notation: “Currently in Canada. Said to be a Mayday operative. Location unknown.” Agnes tries to remember them, but she cannot. She places her hand on her mother’s picture, imagining she feels warmth.

When she turns the page, Agnes finds another document on her mother’s second child, who her mother smuggled into Canada. The picture shows Baby Nicole, which stuns Agnes. The last notation on the document reads: “Top Secret. Baby Nicole is here in Gilead.” Agnes is grateful to learn that she has a sister, but she is frightened also. If Baby Nicole is back in Gilead, there should have been public rejoicing. Agnes wonders why she has received this information and if this means her sister is in danger. Agnes takes the pages, including the pictures, out of the folder and hides them in her sleeve. She feels that she can’t leave them.

By this time, Agnes has guessed that it is Aunt Lydia who has been leaving her these files, for no other Aunt would have such access. 

Aunt Lydia summons Nicole to her office. Nicole finds that Aunt Lydia doesn’t frighten her the way she seems to scare everyone else in Ardua Hall. Nicole tries not to stare at Aunt Lydia’s mole on her chin and wonders why she has not had it removed. Nicole is brusque and flippant. Aunt Lydia cautions her that flippancy in public could have painful consequences.

Aunt Lydia asks to see her arm, where the tattoo has not healed well. Nicole tries to ask Aunt Lydia if she is the Mayday source, but Aunt Lydia cuts her off, saying she needs to learn to edit her thoughts. She asks if Nicole is ready to help her friends in Canada, then instructs Nicole to place her arm on the desk, then she makes a small cut into the “O” in Nicole’s tattoo and inserts something tiny. Aunt Lydia tells Nicole that she is now a carrier pigeon, though she is not to tell anyone until she has permission.

Aunt Lydia summons Agnes and Becka again. Jade is already waiting in Aunt Lydia’s office. Aunt Lydia’s hands shake a bit as she sits down, and Agnes is surprised to think that Aunt Lydia is getting old.

Aunt Lydia announces that she has news for them that will affect the future of Gilead. She asks them if they are ready for the crucial part they will play. Agnes and Becka automatically say yes. First, Aunt Lydia tells Becka that she must inform her of something the other two already know, that Baby Nicole is in Gilead, and Baby Nicole is Agnes’s half-sister. At this revelation, Jade swears in disbelief and Aunt Lydia admonishes her.

Agnes asks where Baby Nicole is precisely, making Jade laugh sharply. After some toying, Aunt Lydia announces that Jade is Baby Nicole. Becka is a little sad that her “sister” has a real sister, and Agnes says that Jade doesn’t look like Baby Nicole’s photos, and Aunt Lydia points out that Agnes and Jade resemble each other. Becka wistfully says that they are both lucky and Agnes welcomes her as their sister too. They all hug.

Aunt Lydia thanks them all, then says Nicole will not be there long, that she will be taking a message back to Canada, and Aunt Lydia wants Agnes and Becka to help her. Agnes is shocked, as no convert ever returns to their country of origin. Aunt Lydia points to the corruption she has exposed to Agnes and Becka and says that Gilead must be righted, and they have all taken vows to help women and girls.

Aunt Lydia warns Agnes and Becka that now that they know the identity of Baby Nicole and that she will be a courier, they are committing treason by not informing the Eyes. If they do divulge this information, they all will be executed. When Nicole protests that this is emotional blackmail, Aunt Lydia tells her that her juvenile ideas of fairness do not apply in Gilead. Aunt Lydia takes Nicole from the room, saying that she will leave Agnes and Becka privacy to make their decision.

Becka reminds Agnes how Aunt Lydia saved them and insists that they agree to the plan, even though they don’t know what the plan is. After leaving Aunt Lydia’s office, Becka goes to her work assignment, while Agnes and Nicole walk back to their quarters. Agnes tells Nicole that now they are sisters, she can call her Agnes when they are alone instead of Aunt Victoria.

Agnes brings out the files she has kept hidden and shows Nicole their mother’s picture. Nicole wonders aloud if they look alike. Nicole asks Agnes if she can remember their mother, because she was too young. Agnes says that she is not sure, that sometimes she feels like she can remember her. Nicole thanks Agnes for showing the files to her but thinks them too dangerous to keep. They tear the pages up and flush them down the toilet.

With the Thanks Giving ceremony less than a week away, Aunt Lydia calls them in to explain how they will proceed. She has arranged a room for Nicole at a Retreat House, but Becka will go instead. Nicole will take Becka’s place and travel as a Pearl Girl to Canada. Becka is dismayed that she is not going on her mission, but Aunt Lydia assures her that she will go later. Agnes suspects Aunt Lydia is lying.