Chapter One

"Sleeping Angels Soon Must Wake..."

Ebony opened her eyes sitting straight up in bed. She couldn't believe she was having these dreams, and each one stranger then the next. It was always her sitting and watching as Brady and Baby Bray where being taken from Amber and Trudy. It was weird because some off beat way she was feeling guilty as if she had something to do with it. She had been having this dream for the past three weeks ever since they were able to take down the Technos. But the weirdest thing about these dreams was that Zoot was standing next to her.

Ebony jumped out of her bed. She was beginning to hate sleeping with Jay. He wouldn't hold her like he used to. It was lonely, even lonelier then when she was in bed alone. She knew this didn't make sense but in the most straight forward way she could think of her relationship with Jay was falling apart and she didn't know who to blame. As Ebony slipped into a black silk robe she wondered if she would ever have sex with Jay again. It seemed that ever time she wanted it he didn't and vice versa. Ebony sighed. She wanted it tonight.

She moved through the dark Mall trying not to trip or step on anything that could kill her. She moved to the Cafe's kitchens and started to make herself some tea. She tried not to make too much noise but she rolled her eyes. Noise was inevitable, right? They'd just have to get use to it. She did an extra clank here and there for extra measure since she knew Amber's room was to the closest to the cafe, but was caught off guard when Jack came into the cafe looking at her strangely.

"Huh?" She asked as if nothing were happening.

"What are you doing?! Can you keep it down, please?" Jack said a bit annoyed. What was he's problem...he was being short with everyone and he even had the gull to actually snap at her earlier this week. It was actually kind of sexy now that she thought about it.

"I was making tea." She said nonchalantly.

"Did you make enough for two 'cause you sounded like you were calling for some company?" Jack grabbed a mug out of the cabinet.

"If you think there's enough for you go ahead." She didn't care...really.

Jack smiled. "Oh there'll be enough."

Where was he getting all this spunk? If she ruled the world she probably decree that all men spend time in Labor Camps, if not to pick up some muscle at least to get some attitude. She watched Jack pour himself some tea. Nice butt...Ebony shook her head. She took another sip to quickly. "AH!"

"Ebony it's going to be hot at least blow on it."

Scratch the Labor Camp idea....she preferred him weak. Jack sat at the table across from her. She stirred her tea trying to play off the fact that she had burnt her tongue. "So..."

He grinned. "So....."

"What do you do in a Labor Camp?"

"I thought the name gave it away, but for you I think I could break it down."

Ebony looked at him taking a more cautious sip from her mug. "I didn't mean it like that; I was asking about what kind of labor."

"The kind that's not fun..."

"Obviously, Jack." She said in a bored tone. "If it was fun everyone would want to join!"

Jack's cocky smile faltered slightly. "Yeah well after a while it gets routine and you don't have to worry about it. You just have to worry about people wanting to kill you for your pants."

She tried to wipe the smile off her face. Think of something bad...stupid. "So...did you see Ellie there?" Ok, good, Ellie, a hated topic of conversation.

Jack look a bit saddened as he took a sip. "No."

She played concerned. "That doesn't make sense. Jay said he was going to make sure she got to you..."

"Guess the lines got twisted. Look, I hear you have sisters now."

"Want one...?"

"Nah family rivalry isn't my thing."

She smiled. "Me neither, but the always want to kill you when your on the top."

"And probably unprovoked as well..."

"Exactly..." She said playing along. Is he the only one who has a sense of humor on the whole thing?

Ebony took another sip realizing that all her tea was gone. Now maybe she could go to sleep.

"You're done?" Jack asked.

"Yeap!" She smacked her lips. Ebony stood placing her mug in the sink for someone else to clean and heading toward the door.

"Aren't you going to say sweet dreams or nighty night, Ebony?" Jack called behind her.

She turned. Who does he think he is? "Now Jack, I like you too much to jinx you with 'sweet dreams'."

They shared a grin and then she went back to the loneliness of Jay.

Chapter Two

"Give Me What I Need...."

For what seemed like the fiftieth time Ebony was swatting back Jay's hand that was moving to strategic areas. "NO" She finally moaned trying to get back the sleep she lost from sitting in the cafe drinking tea. Even though it was nice when she got back to her room all she could think about was Jack's experiment in the Labor Camp. It wasn't like she cared right?

She felt Jay's hand move again this time she sat up and slipped out of the bed. She knew there wasn't any point. She could either risk giving in, in annoyance and being completely unsatisfied and even more tired afterwards or she could be a little tired now and catch a quick nap later on when she disappeared to the hotel.

She slipped into some tight jean and a black fitted shirt that said "give it up" in large red lettering. She put on a red leather jacket over it and headed toward the hotel and some well needed sleep. Before she could even step out the Mall someone called her name. She turned wanting so much to give them the finger and keep moving but she was turning a new leaf. She was new and improved helpful Ebony now...ugh!

She looked at her sister. "What!"

"Where are you going this early?" Siva asked. "I'd thought you'd be in bed with Jay...."

"You know with the way you think you wouldn't win the lotto sis."

"Ebony what's your problem?"

I'm tired I wanna go to sleep! "I thought I'd just go get some work down at the hotel."

"Do you need me to come; I could help with the computer stuff."

"Uh...no, There are plenty of Technos still left around. I could ask one of them if I get lost." What's wrong with this girl?

Siva looked hesitant, but then nodding she walked off. Ebony sighed and moved toward the Hotel in a faster pace not wanting to be caught again. When she got there she immediately found one of the disserted rooms and slipping out over her jeans jumped into bed.

Again Ebony was having the dream. She woke in a large almost empty City street. It was clean which seemed very much out of place. The lighting was gray and dark with impending storms and the air was a little restless. Zoot walked up behind Ebony and placing out his hand he led her closer to edge of the street and out of the way.

"Why are you showing me this?" She asked for what seemed the fiftieth time.

He only looked at and then turning she knew the same picture show was about to start. Amber and Trudy were walking with their children like proud mothers. As always Ebony scoffed in jealousy. She didn't want a kid but she wanted to be happy like them. She watched as some two people walk toward them, then in a rush effect which had caught Ebony off guard the first time but now seemed cliché here the two people bum-rushed Trudy and Amber taking the kids. Both screamed, and then ebony would wake, but today was different. Ebony perked to attention as she watched a cloaked figure walk towards them.

"Bring me Ebony."

Ebony sat up. Something new? Who wanted her? She looked around not recognizing the room she was in, but then remembered that she had come to get some sleep. She sat for moment staring at the wall across from her trying to clear hr mind. The paint is chipping in here. She laid back arching her back and stretching when she heard some one burst into the room.

"DON'T YOU KNOCK?!" She screamed.

"Ebony!" Jay looked breathless and relieved. "I'm glad I found you we need to get back to the Mall, now."

"Why?" She smiled.

"Something's happened come one let's go!" He grabbed her hand pulling her out of the bed.

She twisted out of his grip trying to find were she had thrown her pants.

"Hey Jay did you find--" Jack stopped, staring at Ebony as she put on her clothes. He colored slightly and then glancing at Jay he rushed out.

Ebony looked mortified as she wiggled into her tight jeans. The way Jack had looked at her was a mixture of shock and interest. She couldn't believe he had seen her without her pants on. At least there was Jay in the room. She ventured to wonder what would have happened if Jay weren't there. If Jay was...out of the picture.

She sighed looking at Jay. Who was still trying to put together what had just happened. She grabbed him by the arm. "Come on let's get this over with...whatever it is."

Chapter Three

"Lunatics and Murderers...."

As Ebony and Jay walked to the Mall he wouldn't explain anything only simply saying, "Amber will tell you everything." Ebony knew this wasn't good. Anything to do with Amber means trouble for everyone. So the idea of going to the Mall was not something that Ebony wanted to do. But then something hit her. What if something has happened to her kid? Then Ebony's bothersome dream wouldn't be just a dream. It would be something else entirely, and Ebony didn't want to face that truth.
As they walked into the café of the Mall, the first person she noticed was Jack. When he saw her his face slightly reddened. Ebony smirked. You had better be embarrassed, and grateful. The only thing you've ever seen is Ellie. Jay turned to her pulling her out of her mental abuse of Jack. "Ebony wait here, I'm going to go get Siva."
Ebony looked concern. "Ok..." She watched as he walked away. When he was gone she turned and looked at Jack. "Hello..." She said nonchalantly sitting on the table he was at.
"Hey Ebony..." His tone was drudging as he pulled apart he's muffin into halves.
She made a playful pouting face as she took one of the halves and bit into it. After swallowing the first bite she smiled. "What's wrong?"
"N-nothing, look Ebony I didn't mean—"
"I know you didn't mean to." She smiled as he gave a sigh of relief.
"Was Jay...?"
"Please...I wish."
"I don't...I like living, I've gotten used to it." Jack smiled.
Oh so now I can see the Jack from last night. "Jack, what's going on around here? Why is everything so...quiet?" It's eerie.
"Uh something—" Jack was cut off by Jay Amber and Siva entering. Siva was unearthly calm while the others looked at Ebony a little unsure.
"Ebony something has happened." Amber stated in a mighty tone.
"Jack tells me..." Ebony responded.
"Jack you told her!" Jay interrupted.
"No!" Jack glared at Ebony. She smiled back. That what you deserve you peeping tom!
 "Java got free." Siva said quietly.
At first it didn't register, but suddenly Ebony was on her feet. "WHAT?!"
"Ebony we don't know how it happened, it just—"
"Like Hell! I'll tell you how it happened. Someone let her out! I want to know who it was."
Jay stepped in front of Amber take hold of Ebony to try and calm her. "Ebony, listen to me. No one knows how she got out but that's not important right now."
"Oh Please Jay, Who ever let her out is against me. They want me dead!"
"That's why we have to get you and Siva out of the Mall and away from the City."
"The Gaians...?" Ebony gave Amber a side long glance. I'm not going to the tree huggers.
"No...we were thinking more on the lines of the suburbs in the opposite direction."
"I know this place far from here and out of the way. She wouldn't find you there." Jack interrupted. He knows places...?
 "But if it's just Java then why worry..." Ebony looked at them daring one of them to answer.
Jack looked at her. "The Technos have been trickling off one by one at the hotel. I think they've gone to join her."
Ebony sighed in frustration. I'm trapped. Just great! "Ok...fine. When do we leave?"
"Tonight, so I suggest you get ready." Amber finally said as if the whole thing was her idea.
"Ok." Ebony walked to her and Jay's room. On her way out she noticed Siva had hardly been paying attention. The idiot, doesn't she know her life is at risk too.

Chapter Four

"A Lucky Break Isn't Easily Given..."

"Come one we got to get up you have to get dress." Jay said a she laid half way on top of him Ebony.
"I know..." She said shifting to the cooler part of the bed. It feels so much better. She had just given in to a wild good bye, her celebration of temporary freedom to come. She closed her eyes trying to think of anything she had missed when Jay moved to shake her again.
"Come on...up."
Ugh! Ebony rolled her eyes slipping out of bed. She stared her bag she had packed earlier it wasn't much two changes of clothes, the essentials, but nothing she could think of to pass the time. Like she had hobby! The Militia was her hobby! If this were before the virus she would label herself lifeless. Ebony went her draw and pulled out another shirt and pair of leather shorts to look busy. She stuffed them in her bag. Now when was she going to need leather shorts? Oh yeah...never!
 After Ebony had changed back in to her old leather clad clothes she walked out to the fountain were she was supposed to meet Siva. When she got there she noticed Jack was standing there with two bags: one a back pack and the other some resemblance to a brief case. "What is that?" Please don't tell me...
 "You left out before the good news," He smiled. "I'm coming too."
"Oh really and what was the good news again?"
"Nice one." He lifted his back pack on to his shoulders, then looking at Ebony he smiled. "You should be a comedian."
"Ha ha..."Stupid geek!
"What's wrong Ebony, I thought sex was supposed to make you happy."
Ebony's jaw dropped at this statement. "Mind your own business, Nerd!"
"Oh...nerd, what a change from geek boy..."
"Get off it Jack." Ebony crossed her arms closing the conversation. When Siva had finally decided to join, she had a back pack, a suit case, and a smaller lunch box looking bag for her make-up. Ebony rolled her eyes. Why does everyone have more stuff then me...and they call me high maintenance. "Are we all ready now?!" Both nodded in compliance and all three of them walked out.

As they walked through the streets, Ebony turned to Jack. "What's in the brief case?"
"A laptop...I'm going to get this one working again."
"Oh..." At least someone is going to be doing something. When they made it to the house, which Jack wasn't exaggerating when he said it was a ways out, it was nearly midnight and they all were tired. As Jack opened the door they were hit by the over power must of the old house. It was an old mansion that was close to the beach and could barely constitute for being apart of the suburbs since it was in pretty much a large area of uninhabited land. It was in the direction of the suburbs. But it was nice despite its shambled appearance and lucky for them it had already been raided several times and now sat as another completely empty house ready to fall down.
As they walked in the door closed behind them with finality. We're stuck here. They looked at each other in the dark. "Let's turn on a light." Jack said hopefully. As flipped the switch the light came on brightening up the hallway with a single orange glow. "At least there's light." Then with a couple of flickers the light went out with as much finality as the front door.
"Or not," Ebony breathed.
Jack looked in her direction, but the glare was lost in the darkness. Siva moved in the darkness her eyes already use to it. "Let's check the water." She moved to the kitchen followed by Ebony then Jack who was moving close behind her making the ears on her neck stand too attention. Whatever happened to breathing space? They watched as Siva turned the tap. Water flushed out of the faucet as it had never done before. Both Siva and Ebony smiled till Siva yelled, "SHOT GUN BATH," and ran out of the room toward the stairs her back pack still on her back.
"NO" Ebony dropped her back pack running up the stairs after Siva. As she made it up to the first landing before the turn, she tripped falling. Just like old times. For a moment she felt like she was at home. All she need now was for Java to come speeding past her practically stepping on her yelling, "No, me first I'm the oldest." Ebony got caught up in nostalgia when Jack walked up the stairs slowly and gently helped her up.
"You ok there Ebony?"
"Fine, Jack." She moved slightly out of the way.
He looked at her smiling. "Oh no you can go."
Ebony wanted to smile back, but stopped herself. Stop That! You have a reputation. NO SMILING! In stead she said, "Humph, it's too late anyway selfish cow got there first." Her eyes used to the darkness watched as Jack's smile faltered. Now you've gone made the guy sad, sick Ebony, You're just sick! She pushed past him. "I have to go get my bag," she muttered.
Jack watched her go down the stairs her black back pack in his hands. He sighed. "I have it." But she didn't hear too fair gone.