For the rest of the afternoon, Spade helps Xander start working on a new set of combat techniques that allow Xander to exploit his bulk and innate strength to mask his poor agility. As afternoon turns to evening, Spade departs for a mission, and Xander heads to the mess hall. As he seats himself at an empty table with his meal, a familiar olive lynx bounds onto the chair beside him.

"Hey wolfie!" Maria greets. "Where you been all day? You not want to see this place in Jade Creek? It's so cool! And it's by the lake, so I can swim all day! Isn't that great? Are you OK? Why are you not answering me?"

"Because you won't shut up?" Hanna teases as she, Rob, and Danny take seats opposite.

"But I'm so excited!" Maria chirps.

"Really?" Hanna continues with friendly sarcasm. "Because it's not at all noticeable."

"Big meanie," Maria pouts comically as she settles into the chair.

"She has a point though," Danny interjects. "What have you been up to all day?"

"Working out in the morning, sparring with Spade in the afternoon," Xander answers.

"You should have come with us to see the place in Jade Creek," Rob replies. "It'll require a lot of work to make it liveable, but it's nothing we can't handle ourselves."

"Yeah," Xander replies distractedly.

"You OK, big guy?" Maria asks. "You seem a bit grumpy."

"Do you mind if I ask you guys a question?" Xander asks.

"You just did," Hanna teases.

"Seriously, there's something important I want to ask," Xander replies.

"Go ahead, ask us," Rob assures, putting his hand over Hanna's mouth before she can respond, a hand which Hanna promptly bites just hard enough to be noticed.

"You've all been friends for a long time," Xander begins. "And this may sound silly, but sometimes I feel like the outsider in our little group. So what I want to ask is…"

"Why are we friends with you?" Rob ventures.

"Yeah, that," Xander confirms.

The others all look at each other, a little confused. "I thought that was obvious," Rob replies.

"We like you and we enjoy hanging out with you," Danny adds. "I can't think of a better reason."

"I know," Xander agrees. "But what do I bring to the group?"

"Same thing we all bring," Hanna answers. "Entertainment, companionship, and support."

"The first two, yes," Xander sighs. "But the third…"

"Guess it's just not come up yet," Hanna shrugs.

Maria thinks hard for a few moments. "I'm going to tell him," she decides, her tone suddenly very serious.

"Tell me what?" Xander asks.

"About my life before I joined the Scarves," Maria explains.

Hanna looks at Maria in surprise. "Are you absolutely sure?"

"Yes," Maria replies assuredly.

"I'm confused," Xander interjects.

"Xander, what I want to tell you is known only to five people other than myself, and three of them are at this table," Maria explains. "The other two are Leader Kyokan, who recruited me, and her daughter Lexi, who was with Hanna the night I was… the night before I joined the Scarves. It's something I only tell those I trust completely, because they are my friends and they deserve to know."

"It sounds serious," Xander replies quietly, conscious of the tears welling in Maria's eyes.

"It's very serious," Maria confirms. "And you must promise to take it to your grave."

Xander places a hand on Maria's shoulder. "I promise, whatever your secret is, I'll never tell anyone about it."

"Pinkie swear?" Maria asks, holding out a fist with her little finger extended in a hook.

Xander opens his mouth to ask if he has to, but stops himself. "Pinkie swear," he replies, hooking Maria's little finger with his own.