Summary: She would never forget how he saved her life and the kindness that he showed her. Pre-series One-sided CricketxRex

Chapter One: Meeting Him

The sound of loud talking woke Cricket from her sleep and she groaned as she pushed herself up. She rubbed her eyes as her sense came back to her and cracked on open to see she was lying on a hard cot. She blinked a few times her vision clearing to find she was in fact sitting on a bed. She looked at it for a second, she had not been inside when she fell asleep; she had been outside with Rex. She shook her head and looked around to find that the room she was in wasn't even her room. It was Rex's.

"Rex?" She looked around. He was nowhere in the room, and aside from her no one was on the cot. She looked around then to the door as she heard footsteps running down the hall. She waited; she didn't need to wait long though, it only took about two seconds for a her friend Tuck to come into the room.

"Cricket, what are you doing in here?"

"Uh…" She started, but stopped. She really didn't know how to answer that, and was grateful when she saw Tuck shake his head shrugging it off.

"Nevermind we have a problem? It's Rex!"

"Rex?" Cricket repeated jumping off the cot and landing on her feet. "Is he alright?"

"He's gone!"

"What?" Cricket's eyes widened.

"We're going to find him. If he has one of his blackouts he's not going to be able to find his way back if he doesn't have his book."

Cricket barely heard Tuck; she bolted out of the room shoving past him and down the hall. Rex gone? No he couldn't be. Rex couldn't have gone far, he knew his limits, he was smart enough to know not to go too far from there hangout without any of them. There was no way he would leave without at least one of them.

No way would he leave without them.


She was out of breath and her legs hurt but she had to keep running. If she stopped the Police would catch her, and she had seen what the Police did to EVOs. She didn't want to end up like them. She jumped over several cars and turned onto a back street continuing to run. She tripped under her own feet before regaining her balance and jumping onto a dumpster and over a fence.

Everything had gone from bad to worse; first she turned into an EVO, then her parents kicked her out of the house, then she tried nabbing some bread from a vendor and tripped an alarm. She wouldn't have tried stealing if she hadn't been so hungry, but she had no chose. After three days without any food she had to try.

And everything went downhill from there.

She turned a corner coming face to face with a dead end. Trapped. Nowhere to go. She shivered as she turned around to see the cops approaching shouting at her to get down on the ground. She gave a shaky nod before doing so. Maybe if she complied with them she would get off easy.

That was when she felt an officer's foot hit her stomach. She bit on her lip to keep herself from screaming as another cop dragged her off the ground by her shirt color and tossed her into the brick wall. "If you cooperated you wouldn't have it this bad." One of them said as they forced her back to her feet and against the wall. "You EVO scum are the reason the crime rates been rising in the city." The Officer yelled at her. If Cricket was stupid she would have told the truth to his face – the crime rate was rising because of the Police's own incompetence. She kept her mouth shut, what she said didn't matter to these people. "Well we'll take care of that soon, starting with you."

Cricket's eyes widened as she saw the man pull out a tazer. "N-no…" She stammered trying to force herself out of the man's grip. He grip held strong and she shut her eyes as the man turned the device on seeing the glowing blue sparks coming from it.

The electrical shock never came; she heard the man cry out and herself drop to the ground. She opened her eyes opened to see the man being restrained by bandages. The man was tossed aside into the opposite wall distracting the remaining officers. This was her chance she ran back down the alley. "Hey!" She heard one of them cry. She turned around; big mistake she saw the man pointing his rifle at her. "Hold it right there!"

"She's not going anywhere!" Another voice called out distracting the man. Before she knew it another person grabbed the officer's arm and twisted the rifle out of his hand before throwing him into another officer. The remaining one reached for his rifle, but the person was faster sliding his foot underneath him and grabbing the rifle while the officer was down.

"Come on!" The person said grabbing Cricket's arm and dragging her back down the alley. Cricket looked up at him, it was too dark to see the person; the only things she could tell was that it was a young boy probably only a year older than her. The person reached into their pocket and pulled out what she guessed was a cell phone. "Tuck it's me, I got her."

Cricket tried to listen to what the person on the other end of the phone was saying but couldn't make anything out. Her breathing was to loud of the voice was to quiet for her to hear anything. "Alright we're on our way." The boy said and put the phone back in his pocket. He looked at her. "It's alright we're almost out of here." He said, but Cricket didn't hear him. Turning around gave her a good look at the boys face, tan face, black hair, human.

This boy was human.


"Tuck…" The teenage boy said as he and his friend sat around the table. "Admit it, that was the best night we've had in a long time!"

"Alright, alright it was, just promise me we'll never do that again." The EVO Tuck – a person that looked like a mummy wearing a black ripped short sleeve shirt said. He sounded like he was trying hard not to laugh. "You gonna get rid of that thing?" Tuck asked.

The thing in question was the rifle the young teenager had swiped off the cop. In the light Cricket could guess the boy was about fourteen, and playing with the rifle as though it was a toy gun. "I'm thinking we sell it on the black market. You know crooks like cop guns, we could get some real money off of this thing."

"Aaah, I dunno Rex… we've been taking a lot of chances with that it's only a matter of time before something goes wrong."

"Then what do you think we should do?" The teenager – Rex – asked giving Tuck a cold look.

"Lay low for a little while?" He suggested. "We wait for the cops to lose our trail, and then we can try selling it off."

The teenager pouted as he looked at the pistol, playing with it with his fingers. Finally after a few seconds he let go and wrapped his hands behind his head leaning in the chair. The gun made a semi loud noise as it fell on its side. "Alright fine." He said, "But I'm choosing where we're getting dinner tonight."

"You're not going to choose that place are you?"

"Hey I've been craving chalupa's for days. If you're deciding when we make money, I'm deciding where we're spending it." He said laughing as Tuck groaned. Cricket watched the light-hearted conversation unfold in confusion. A human, friends with an EVO? Yeah right. There was no way that a human would be friends with an EVO; a freak.

It took a moment for Rex to calm down, but no sooner he did he looked at Cricket. The girl shrunk back as he and the EVO glanced at her. The mummy – Tuck's – red eyes made her feel uneasy and Rex's look…well she couldn't quite read it. For once in her life she wished she was good at reading people.

"So what are we going to do with her?" Rex asked looking at him.

"Don't ask me, you're the one that wanted to rescue her." Tuck said and Rex let out a breath as he got up from the table. He walked over to him and Cricket shrunk back looking away from him. She took a small glance to see him kneel down next to her on the mat on the floor.

"Hey." He started but she didn't look at him. He tilted his head to the side trying to smile. "You alright? You took a few hits there." He reached up for her shoulder.

"Don't touch me!" Cricket yelled slapping his hand away. "I don't need sympathy from a human."

Despite her harsh tone, Rex only stared at her seeming to be confused. "A what? A human?" He repeated looking behind him at Tuck before looking back at her, just as confused as before. "Uh- I'm not human. I'm an EVO, like you."

Cricket's scowl faltered slightly when she heard that. An EVO that looked human? "Prove it." She said and Rex rolled his eyes. He looked around the room before reaching into his pocket and picking out an electronic notepad. He opened the back and showed it to her.

"See, no batteries." He said then grinned flipping it back so she could see the screen, "But…"

Cricket's eyes widened when she saw light blue lines go up Rex's hand and onto the device. In instant the screen flashed white and on, showing the date as well as the current time. "See? EVO." He said pocketing the device. "Believe me now?"

That smirk stayed on his face as Cricket stared at him, still in disbelief, but the realization that he was just like her made her relax a bit. So they were both EVOs, they were just like her. Except… "If you're an EVO, how come you look human?"

At the question Rex shrugged, "Luck of the draw?" He suggested before chuckling and Cricket found herself hating that arrogant look on his face. "Anyway, you alright? You took quite a beating out there."

"I-I'm fine…" Cricket said hugging herself with her arms. Rex gave a lopsided look, not completely convinced by her statement.

"Well good, but what'd you do to get the cops on you?"

"Does it matter?" She asked looking at him.

"Kinda." He said. Cricket didn't answer at first; she honestly did not see a point in telling him what happened. However he didn't look like he was going to leave her alone any time soon. She sighed, might as well just say something and get it out of the way.

"I was hungry, so I tried stealing some bread without getting caught."

"Obviously that didn't work out." Rex said, and Cricket gave him a glare when he chuckled. Did he find her failure amusing? The chuckle died down and he looked at her with all smiles, either not noticing her glare or pretending not to. "Well it's just Tuck and I, why not stay for dinner? We should have more than enough money to pay for the three of us."

Cricket's gave him a questioning look as Rex made the offer and she leaned back. "Uh, thanks but I should really..." She started to stand up but Rex grabbed both of her shoulders and forced her back into a sitting position.

"I'm sorry I should rephrase that," He said giving her a stern look, "You are staying for dinner and I'm not taking no for an answer."

Cricket shook a little under his gaze before giving a nod. This boy – this EVO – there was something about him that made her uneasy. However, at the same time, she felt safe. He was nice or at least seemed nice, and insistent that she stay. Of course she didn't want to over stay her welcome, a person is only friendly for so long…


The food was so spicy that Cricket desperately needed water. She could hear Rex laughing at her as she swallowed a huge gulp of water. He was still laughing after she let out a relieved breath leading her to glare at him.

"Hey Rex, easy there." Tuck said looking genuinely concerned for his out of control friend, "It's not that funny."

"I know I know." The human looking EVO said as he calmed down. He looked at her grinning apparently still amused by the girl's discomfort. "Ah sorry about that, guess I should have thought to get you something milder."

"You probably should have thought that she wouldn't like it." Tuck said voice low. Cricket stiffened and shook her head; she didn't want to seem like a burden.

"No I like it-"

"You're just upset that I we didn't get what you wanted." Rex said cut her off, glancing at Tuck with a huge smirk on his face. "Why do you care so much anyway? I mean, it's not like you have to eat anymore."

"Just because I don't have to doesn't mean I don't like to." Tuck said and Rex gave a shrug before taking a large bite out what Cricket guess was the chapula Rex had been crying about a few minute earlier. With Rex silent for a few seconds Tuck turned to Cricket. "So, you're name's Cricket right?"

"Y-yeah." She said shrinking in her chair a little. "Well it's not really my name, it's my nickname," She paused before giving a sigh and adding, "but I guess my real name doesn't matter anymore."

"That's okay." The mummy EVO said giving her a reassuring smile, "None of us go by are real names. I haven't sense I became an EVO, and Rex doesn't even know his real name."

"Liar." Rex spoke up after swallowing his food, "Far as I'm concerned, Rex has and always will be my name." Cricket raised an eyebrow as Rex grabbed a can of soda and started to chug it down before turning back to Tuck.

"How long have you guys been EVOs?" She asked.

"Well I've been one for about a year. As for Rex…" He started but trailed off prompting Cricket to look at him. Rex put the can down and stared back at her.

"What?"

"When did you become an EVO?" She asked and Rex frowned head tilting as his eyes looked u pat the ceiling.

"Beats me. Know I've been one longer than Tuck, but that's it." He said then tossed the now empty can behind him. It hit the wall before falling n the floor. He looked disappointed.


They had invited her to stay the night, but Cricket found herself unable to sleep. It was too dark, and the place felt to cold. She wished that she was back home, back in her soft warm bed. However she couldn't go home, not anymore. She couldn't stay here either. Quietly Cricket sat herself up and tiptoed outside.

It was strange, but it felt so much warmer outside, even with the wind blowing. She took a deep breath and sniffed the air. Fresh air always felt good, even before she became this thing she always liked being outside. Being inside always made her feel cramped, but outside there was a whole world for her to explore, for her to run around in, to be free. She sighed, now that she was an EVO, she should have so much freedom, but now she felt more trapped than ever.

"Hope you're not planning on leaving." Cricket jumped and turned around when she heard a voice. It was Rex, sitting on some boxes against their small hideout. He stared at her his brown eyes watching her carefully and he looked tense. Cricket took a deep breath trying to keep relaxed, but the stare wasn't helping.

"I'm sorry." She said looking away from him, "I just wanted to get some fresh air. It's stuffy in there."

"Probably the smell of Tuck's bandages. Guy can't take a shower or he'll fall limp." Rex said giving a laugh. Cricket stared at him unsure whether or not he was joking.

"What are you doing out here?" She decided to ask and Rex fell silent before staring up at the sky.

"Same as you, getting some air before going to bed." Rex told her, "Wanna take a seat?"

Cricket hesitated for a second before taking some steps over to him. The only movement Rex made was to move over to make room for her. After another gesture from him, she walked over and sat down giving him a silent thank you and looking at the ground. She rubbed her shoulder catching a glance at him as he gazed at the stars. She still couldn't believe that he looked so human; every other EVO she met looked more like her, a freak. "How long did you say you were an EVO?"

"I dunno." He said shrugging, "Far as I remember I've always had my powers, not that it matters." He looked to her, "What about you?"

Under his gaze Cricket looked down at the ground, "I became one last week."

"So you're still crawling."

"What?" She looked back at him to see the smirk on his face.

"Still trying to make sense of your powers, finding ways to steal without getting caught, figuring out how to get away from the cops –"

"I never intended to become a criminal." She spat out glaring at him; however the glare didn't stay on her face. It faded when she saw Rex's smile vanish and his face become serious.

"Neither did Tuck, but when he turned he had to become one anyway." He told her. He turned to look out at the city, Cricket following his gaze to the bright lights and neon signs that surrounded them. Only the area they were hiding out in was dark. "We're all criminals here, all EVOs. This city and these people won't accept us, so we have to do what we can to survive. And if we want to survive we have to break the law."

"But…" Cricket muttered looking away.

"Nobody cares about us, so we have to look out for ourselves." He said and looked back at Cricket. "It's just Tuck and me here, it's small but you can stay with us."

"What?" Cricket's eyes widened.

"It'll benefit all three of us. So long as you're with us you'll be safe, nothing bad will happen to you." He said, "We'll help you figure out your powers and in return you'll help us survive." He grinned, "Well, what do you say?"

"I guess I don't have much of a choice do I." She said opening her eyes and stared off into the distance. She wasn't sure if he was doing this out of genuine kindness or convenience. Not that it mattered, as long as she could get off the streets at this point she didn't care. She felt Rex's hand pat her on the back as though assuring her as they both stared at the stars that weren't swallowed by the lights of the city.


Author's Note:

I actually kinda like the Cricket/Rex pairing and wanted to write something with them, but this wound up stretching out to the time Rex was with the others, but through Cricket's perspective (and admittedly one sided crush). Obviously this is fanon, we don't know enough about the character to know what her likes and dislikes are or much of her personality other than being shy, so I'm taking a few shots in the dark knowing that none of this is accurate. It's kinda fun :P

This whole thing is already written up; I'm just doing some editing. I actually don't like how this turned out to much, but if I don't upload it now I'm going to keep messing with it and then probably never upload it at all.