"You are an idiot," said Party around ten minutes later. I opened one eye, stuck my tongue out, and closed it again.

I'd gotten two steps inside the door before I remembered that I was dehydrated and exhausted from the heat already. So I tipped the remainder of the water over my head but that simple action had made me completely lose it, and I was back on my vinyl seat.

The guys were pretty pissed off with the fact that I'd wasted an entire jug of water by tipping it over my head ("In case you hadn't noticed, darling, it's a desert. There is no water out there."), but right now I could care less. Show Pony had wanted to see, and I'd shown him. They could bugger off now for all I gave a damn.

"What are you doing out here, anyway?"

"Like it matters."

"Oh, it matters."

"Why should it? You don't even know me."

"Let's see." Party ran a hand through his shock of red hair. "You're a teenager wearing Battery City clothing wandering around in the Zones. You're not a Killjoy, but you can do pretty impressive stunts. And you've definitely got more of an attitude than most of the other drugged up City morons, so yeah. It matters."

God dammit, the guy's good. I sat up a bit. "Okay, you win. I needed space. The City was doing my head in."

"So you came out here to escape."

"Only temporarily."

"Why only temporary?"

"I have a life back in the City, you know. Family, school…friends…"

"Or not."

I shot up in my seat. "Don't assume things."

"Well, put it this way sweetie, if you had friends to go to, why would you be in the Zones?"

Damn. And again.

"What is this, an interview?" I tried to change the subject. It didn't work. Party Poison was smarter than that. Bastard.

"We think you're a bit of a loner, who's taught herself acrobatics for the kicks. You can't be BL/ind, or you'd be better prepared for the Zones." He began pacing casually around the room. "But you've got nerve. The Killjoys could do with someone like you. You know damn well you can't go back to Battery City, and you won't survive three days out there without friends."

What's with the 'we' thing?

"So what are you saying?"

"I'm saying, stick around for a bit. You're a good kid."

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Stick around until you find a group, or stay with us, if you like."

"You don't even know me."

"That's the least of anyone's worries out here."

I thought of the Dracs. "That's true enough."

I also thought of the life he led, the life they all led. They'd looked at me like I was a freak, but they'd also looked at me with respect. And they didn't seem to care about anything but themselves and their cause. I liked that.

"How could I leave Battery City?" I asked quietly. "I've lived there all my life."

"And it would feel weird living anywhere else, right?"

I gaped at him. How does he know?

"Hey, we were just like you once." He shrugged.

I hadn't thought of that.

Party Poison looked at me steadily. And I really looked back. He had boyish good looks under all his hair, and steady, dark eyes. Trustworthy eyes.

Just hold me, please.

I almost jumped at the errant thought. What? Where did that come from? What does it mean?

"So?" He cocked his head to one side. I had to smile, I couldn't help myself.

God dammit, Faith, you're not about the throw yourself on the mercy of these people are you?

You know what? I think I am.

"Okay then. I'll do it."