A/N: This is where the story begins to LOOSELY follow the show and canon starts to change. Enjoy :-)

Pratt stood facing Amber. She was trying to say something to him but he pushed her ahead and again told her to run. Once her, Dal and the unknown kids and red haired girl were away, he and Rob headed a different direction away from the rumble that was currently taking place. They knew that after taking out Jaffa and Spike, Zoot would have them killed no matter how loyal they had been to him. All they could do was find somewhere to hide. They just didn't know where. They strategically moved about and hid for a couple of hours.

"Come on Pratt, we've been moving and hiding for two hours now. We need to bunker down somewhere. I can't keep this up much longer," Rob pleaded.

"Give me a minute," Pratt answered and looked down the road. He smiled and looked back at Rob. "I know where we are. We just gotta trek up the road. In another mile is the mall."

"Are you sure?"

"Yea. I recognize those building ahead of us. They were flats. My, mother... used to point them out. She would... tell me she lived there... Before marrying Amber's dad," he trailed off.

They set out and continued towards the mall. During that time, Rob found a short plank and took it with him to make a new staff. Shortly after, they saw the mall just over the buildings. They checked that the coast was clear before running up to the building. Rob followed Pratt around to the side.

"Why did we come over this way?" Rob asked.

"Because I'm sure you as well as I, have learned from being with the Locos, that only a fool goes through the front door of an unfamiliar place. We're more than likely outnumbered. We're going in through the sewer and then from there, we'll see who is there and how many strong they are," Pratt answered while putting his nightsticks into the holsters he made for them.

"You're not thinking of joining whoever is in there are you?" Rob asked surprised.

"Depends on who it is and if they're well known. Strength in numbers Rob. That's what we need right now," Pratt reminded him.

"I don't like the idea of using people like that."

Pratt sighed though he knew his best friend was right. "I promise Rob, the net tribe we join, we will not abandon. The next is the last and they'll be our family."

"I'm holding you to that," Rob said with a stern tone and his expression hard.

"Seems a waste mate. I've never gone back on my word. You know that. On our brotherhood."

Rob nodded with a smile and they clasped wrists and began to open the hatch to the sewer. They stopped when they heard someone else coming. They got their weapons ready and waited for whoever it was after hiding on the other side of the sewer hatch. When a tall, slender, brown haired, teenage boy come around the corner, Rob grabbed and pressed him against the wall with the plank he found. Pratt held his nightsticks at the ready as the unknown teenager had his hands up.

"I am not looking for problems. I didn't know this was your place. I'm only looking for somewhere for us to stay," he quickly informed them.

"Who are you with? Locos? Demon Dogs?" Rob demanded.

"Let him speak Rob. He'll tell us the truth," Pratt insisted.

The frightened teenager took a breath, "I am apart of no tribe. I was hoping this was a place for us to sleep and hopefully perhaps, has food."

"Why do you keep saying us? Who's with you?" Pratt asked.

The teenager waved in the direction he came from. From around the corner poked the head of a frightened girl with purple hair and lipstick. He impatiently waved her over again. She reluctantly came around the corner and approached them. When they saw her engorged stomach, they released the boy and holstered their weapons. He stood next to the frightened girl and put his hand on her shoulder to calm her.

"My name is Bray. This is Trudy. Her baby is coming soon. Hence the need for shelter. If you are alright with that," he answered.

Rob let out a sigh, "This is not our place. We just arrived here less than an hour ago. We're here for the same purpose you are."

Bray nodded in understanding. Trudy looked up for the first time. She gasped and backed away from them with a terrified look. Bray tried to calm her but she would not listen. She pointed at them with a shacking hand to get Bray to look at them again.

"Bray, don't you not know who they are?" she asked hysterically and about to cry. "How can you trust them? Do you not recognize them?"

"And who are they Trudy?" Bray asked her calmly and nearly confused.

"They're Zoot's henchmen Bray! Pratt and Rob!" she shouted.

Bray looked back at them almost as terrified. When he backed away, both Pratt and Rob held their hands in front of themselves to show they meant no harm. Realizing the name he gave, Pratt then cocked his head to the side to take a better look at Bray. Robs eyes grew wide when he realized why Pratt was gawking. They looked at each other before Bray cleared his throat.

Rob looked back at him and said, "Could our luck get any worse brother?"

"Doesn't seem likely does it? I say we wait a tic and let Zoot number two decide," Pratt responded.

Bray tensed for a moment before allowing his head to drop in what seemed to be shame. "Yes, Zoot is my brother but I am nothing like him," he insisted. "I don't wish to hurt anyone. And seeing as to how you two seem to be running from him, you're no longer Loco's are you?"

They shook their heads. "We wish to help you lot. Let's get her to somewhere safe," Rob said.

"If we're to join or form a new tribe, we'd rather it be a peaceful one and only fight when we must, not be cause we're told to," Pratt added.

"Fight for a better future for each other, not for just one," Rob finished.

Bray looked at Trudy. "We can trust them. They would have hurt us already if they were going to."

"If you're still unsure, here's a peace offering," Rob said and set their bag of food in front of them.

"What we have, we have to share," Pratt added.

Bray looked around. "Please, stay with her. I'm moving on ahead."

"Not alone," Pratt replied.

Bray sighed. "No. The two of you need to be with her. Please don't be afraid Trudy. They're going to protect you. I'll be back soon."

Before any of them could protest he was gone. Trudy remained crying and cowering in fear after they went and hid down the street from the mall. Eventually, the two friends put their weapons down on the ground and sat with her. She remained closed off. Pratt broke the awkward tension.

"Despite our not so great reputation, we have shown you no reason to be afraid now. Zoot wants us dead because we turned on him. Why are you still afraid of us?" he asked trying to keep his deep voice low.

Trudy looked away and continued to cry. Rob gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You can tell us the truth. I promise, we will not be mad or hurt you."

Trudy took a couple of shaky breaths and spoke between sobs. "Because... you... you'll... you'll hate me. Now... you'll... hate my... my baby or... or take it away."

They looked at each other unsure of how to answer. "Why would think that?" Rob asked.

"Zoot... Zoot is... the father," she answered trying not to cry anymore.

Both of them were taken aback. An answer neither of them expected. They also knew that Zoot did not know he had a child on the way. They both looked her in the eye as they each took one of her hands and placed their other hand on her stomach.

"We swear to you, we'll not allow any harm to come to you or your child. For as long as we are to be in your lives," Pratt swore.

"The bond we share as best friends that makes us family, we share with you and yours," Rob finished.

Suddenly Bray approached. He was limping. When they tried to ask, he said, "Never mind this. Let's go." So they made their way back to the mall. The two stayed with Trudy overnight outside the sewer entrance while Bray stayed in the mall to get a feel for everyone. Pratt and Rob stayed awake the whole night. Pratt kept trying to figure out why they trusted Bray so quickly. Rob used a sharp tool to start carving the plank into a new staff.

In the morning Bray gathered all three of them up. He had extra food and looked nervous. He kept saying he'd explain later but to get Trudy down into the sewer. He filled them in on the people there and told them to watch out for a, 'short tempered buffoon with black hair who thinks he's the leader.' Pratt and Rob took note of that. They helped Trudy to the final door. Their weapons at the ready in case that buffoon tried to attack.

When they reached the stairs, Pratt recognized three of the people as the ones from the botched deal at train yard. They had just been chasing them the day prior. When the black haired teen came toward them, he stopped and glared. Pratt shook his head. He didn't hear a majority f the conversation until the tough guy protested.

"Look! Your precious Bray, brought no just any Loco's. He brought Zoot's bloody henchmen. And you're gonna let them stay?"

"We turned on the Loco's! They want us dead. She's our priority now," Rob snapped and pointed at Trudy.

"Kicked out? Right?" the tough guy mocked with a chuckle. "You're here spying on us!"

"Wrong again pretty boy," Pratt chimed in. "I took out their best, to save my sister and the kids behind her," he finished and looked up at Amber. "We're strays now. Just like you. So let's stop alright?"

The tough guy looked around before being pushed out of the way. Everyone looked over to see Amber standing in front of the tough guy and the newcomers. Everyone looked on in an uncomfortable silence. Pratt stepped in front of the group of newcomers and kept his gaze on his half sister. The tension then grew as Amber made a b-line in his direction.