Marisol had set out the plates of steaming hot food on her dinner table ready to start eating. She had baked a fresh ham from a pig she's gotten four days back with boiled mixed vegetables from her sister's garden.

She smiled down thinking to herself this was going to be perfect. She made a great meal, there weren't going to be any problems, and all three of the kids together at last.

"You want me to go get them?" Sapphire asked as she started to head out the kitchen.

"Yeah, please," she replied as she was setting down the plates.

When Sapphire called the three for lunch, Marisol noticed Violet wasn't with Storm and Moo. She furrowed her brows at Moo as he cocked his head in confusion.

"Where's Violet?"

He shrugged, "Still in the bathroom I guess."

"Oh, could you knock to see if she's alright, Sapphire?"

Sapphire nodded but before she was about to sprint to the bathroom, Moo put his arm in front of her making both her and Marisol looked confused.

"She doesn't have to," he said, "I'll go check."

"Oh, um...," Marisol cleared her throat, "okay, but um..."

Moo rolled his eyes knowing what she was thinking, "We're not together, Mary if that's what you think."

"N-n-no!! That's not-"

"Whatever, I'll go check on her," he sighed as he walked out.

Marisol felt a bit guilty about how she reacted. The two were childhood best friends, she knew that. But she also knew that they weren't kids anymore, they were young adults. People change and also their feelings, especially around that age. She wondered if Moo's feelings changed for Violet.

Guilt started to flood all through Violet. How was she going to tell them that she had to leave, mainly Moo? She mostly felt guilty about being away from Blossom this whole time and the fact Clem expected her to come back about two days ago. This was all a big fucking mess.

Her head shot up when she heard knocking on the door. She groaned rolling her eyes.

"I'll be out in a sec," she called out, putting back on her shirt.

"No, it's Moo," he called back making her jump in surprise, "I wanted to come check on you."

She had to think for a minute, if her friend was here already, she could go ahead and tell him the news so he wouldn't be that upset at the table. It was going to hurt, maybe hurt him even more, but he would understand more than her mother. Besides, he knew she had to go back at some point.

"Moo, could you... come in? The door's unlocked," she hesitated sounding weird.

She assumed Moo was hesitating as well because it stayed quiet for quite a bit to the point she thought he left at such a question, but minutes later he answered back.

"I guess, but are you... um..."

She rolled her and groaned, "No! Just come in, I need you right now."

At that, he slowly opened the door looking at Violet then walked in closing the door behind him. He leaned against the wall looking at her with concern as she looked away from him with guilt.

"What's up, sunshine?"

Quick like a band-aid.

She sighed heavily, "Moo, I... I... I have to leave sooner than you think."

He widened his eyes, "What?"

"I told you and Storm why I'm here, I wasn't even supposed to be gone for this long to be honest."

She saw his face saddened as she started to feel more guilty. The two just reunited a few days ago, barely having any time to catch up after all these years. Now it all came crumbling down as she had to leave him again because of one thing she had to do to.

"I'm so sorry, Moo," having nothing else to say.

A few minutes of silence passed them all of a sudden he said this, "Hey, what if I stay with you guys for a bit so we can really catch up."

Her head shot up with both shock and confusion, "What are you talking about?"

"Me and Smokey could crash for a while in your group if you can't come back here any time soon, I could even help you guys out too if want."

"Moo , I couldn't let you do that. You're needed here, I couldn't possibly let you leave here just for me."

"But I'm not needed as much as you think, to them I'm just an afterthought or a person who needs to contribute with some shit in order for me to win their trust back or prove myself."

What did he do?

"Jeez, Moo, I didn't know it was like that. But what about my mom, she trusts you, right?"

"One of the only people," he scoffed, "the town just put up with me because she tells them to."

She sighed, "What about Victoria?"

"She doesn't need me, she has Cobra," he looked down, "but I still need to tell them I'm going away for a bit so they won't worry."

She wondered if this was a good idea. How would Clean and the other feeling about her friend coming to stay temporarily? She really doesn't trust anyone outside the group after all what's happened. But he did offer to help out, besides, this was her friend, she could explain to her he wasn't any threat and as long as he contributed to the group he'll have a good reason to stay.

And maybe she wouldn't feel so alone anymore with him around.

She looked back up at him then smiled, "I'll talk to my leader about it and then we'll go from there."

He immediately perked up running towards her hugging while twirling her around before he looked down giving her the widest grin she's ever seen.

"This'll be so fucking great," he laughed, "Violet and Moo, together again!"

"And thanks for coming up with this, I really appreciate it."

"Anything to be with you again."

By the time the two got out of the bathroom, everyone else was waiting as Marisol and Storm were talking and Sapphire just petting Smokey who was sitting on the floor beside her.

As soon as Violet saw the food that was prepared for them, she could feel her mouth about to burst into a waterfall. Food, real food! It wasn't like the spam Storm cooked while they were at the cabin or Moo's small breakfast he made for her, this was actually a home-cooked meal she was about to enjoy. She thought she would never see a meal like this again ever since she was sent away. Her group's been living off of nothing but rabbit and fish stew for the past nine years.

Yeah, I really miss that, she thought sarcastically.

Marisol looked over at them smiling at Violet as she smiled back, but she saw something strange about her sister. When she looked up, she caught her briefly glaring at Moo as he looked away from her gaze then turning her attention back at her mother.

"Take a seat, hon' before your food gets cold," her mother said.

She took a seat beside Storm as Moo sat across from her sitting beside Sapphire. She could almost devour this food in one bite like a savage animal, but she chose not to embarrass herself. While eating, her mother noticed her look as she ate knowing this had to be the perfect time to tell her why she's really here.

Before she could speak, Marisol spoke first, "Storm told me why you were really here."

Violet almost dropped her fork before whipping her head around towards her sister as she just shrugged giving her a nervous smile.

"I was supposed to tell you," she said glaring at Storm, "I didn't want to feel like I'm just some person going around begging for resources."

Marisol giggled, "Vi, you're my kid, if you and your people need help, I'm there. I'll just get your aunt to take you to the resource center."

"That's great, but..."

"But what?"

Violet put her hands over her face and sighed, "I have to go sooner than you think."

Both Marisol and Sapphire were caught off guard by that while Storm looked away sadly.

"A-already?" Marisol stuttered in disbelief, "but y-you—we haven't had any time together!"

"I know, Mom, but I have responsibilities back at the school, I wasn't even supposed to be gone for this long. I volunteered to come here and be back in two days."

She saw a glint of sorrow in Marisol's eyes as she put her elbow on the table as she rested her head in her hand sighing heavily. She hated seeing her mother like this even after all she's done. Knowing that she had to see her daughter go a second time.

"When are you leaving?" she asked lowly.

"I thought about leaving tomorrow afternoon."

"I understand, I knew you had to leave eventually but not so soon."

"No!!" Sapphire shouted making everyone jump, "you can't leave! I finally have my sisters back. Mom, please don't let her leave, you're the leader!"

Marisol sighed, "I'm sorry sweetheart, I can't make your stay, she's a grown-up."

"But can't she stay a little longer? "

"Sapphire..."

"This is unfair!!" she stormed out of the kitchen as Marisol tried to call her back.

She was kinda right, this was unfair. The only reason she wanted to go back because of... Blossom...

If she brought Blossom...

"When can we see more of you?" Marisol broke her thoughts.

Violet shrugged, "I dunno, my group's been really protective of me ever since my injury."

"Hmm... I see. Well just know you're always welcome here if you need help."

This was a new vibe from her mother. She saw she changed a lot into this generous, leader instead of this bitter, sarcastic, silent, and broken young woman she knew all those years ago.

Pfft, that's probably where I got it from.

"Thanks, mom, I hope I get to know you better later on."

Her expression perked a little, "I do too. Now finish up and head out to the resource center with the others while I go deal with your sister."

Violet happily listen as was almost swallowing the food without even chewing. She noticed Storm was quiet the whole time, she thought she was the one to butt in or say at least something. Instead, she glanced over while she ate as she saw her eating and giving Moo the same glare when they came out of the bathroom.

Only more malicious.

"How will it take to get to this place?" Violet asked Moo as he was driving."

"Not too long," he said, "you remember that mall mom used to take us?"

"Yeah."

"It's that. But since it was a huge plaza, we just use it for trade, shelters, and lots of supplies."

"That was smart."

He chuckled, "Yeah, especially when you dumbass people thinking since there are no rules, they can loot for all the shit they ever wanted but has no fucking use. Jokes on them."

Storm just stayed quiet throughout the ride looking out. Violet was almost starting to worry, she stayed quiet during lunch then in this ride.

"Storm?" she called getting her attention as she looked at her, "what's wrong?"

"Nothing, I'm good," turned her attention back to the opening.

"Are you sure?"

"Mhmm..."

Before she could ask her more, she felt the kart stop as got out. Her attention to the entrance of a big plaza people was coming in and out of. He opened the door for Violet as she stepped out and Storm just sitting in the same spot looking away.

"Are you coming?" Violet asked as Moo was already ahead at the entrance.

Storm just nodded staying quiet not even looking in her sister's gaze. Moo called out for Violet as he stood at the entrance waiting. She felt bad she couldn't press further to see what was wrong with Storm, but she could always find out later.

The plaza was just how Violet remembered it. Big and vast, stores at every corner, shiny brick floors, big palm trees scattered all over, and beautiful glass ceiling over all of it. The only difference was the stores had turned into shelters, supply and trading centers, and rest stops for travelers.

Moo turned around and saw her looking around before chuckling at her.

"It's great, isn't it?"

"Yeah, it's almost like nothing's changed."

"Come on, I'll take you to one of the supply centers."

She nodded as she caught up beside him going further down the plaza. He stopped at one of the old clothing stores that were now one of the supply centers. She saw a woman beside the entrance holding a rifle and wearing the same kind of army jacket with the fur lining like her mother's but her lining was a little smaller. Right the start when she saw her she knew that was her aunt by the way she looked: long raven hair only tied in a bun, cinnamon skinned, tattoos covering her forearms, dark brown eyes with almost the same facial features as her mother. They were almost identical, only she was older, talkative, and... crabbier.

The two walked to her as she turned and stood in front of them giving Moo a serious glare. He was way taller and stronger than she was but she realized who was holding the gun.

"Matthew," she said, "where's Storm?"

He scoffed, "Relax, she stayed in the kart were wanted to be."

"Hmm..."

She looked over to Violet then her face softened a lot. She tried to make a good impression by smiling lightly before her aunt spoke.

"Mary told me about you came back, I just thought she was in one her breakdowns again."

Moo just rolled his eyes.

"But you look almost the same, only now you're a woman. You remember who I am, don't you?"

"Aunt Kitty," Violet answered quickly without thinking. Cat and Kitty was her nicknames that she told everyone to call her because of her other name.

Moo snorted before Cat could whip her head around to glare more at Moo.

"For you, it's still Sergeant Catalina, got it, Valentino?"

He smiled, "Sure thing, Aunt Kitty."

She growled before rolling her eyes not even wanting to deal with right now. She stepped from in front of the two let them pass then pointed down the path that would lead them to someone that would help them.

"Mary told me you were coming, so just go down that way and you'll find Coyote, well if she isn't screwing around again."

They nodded then walked inside. Violet has never been to this store in the mall before, it was quite big. It must have been a clothing store—a very expensive one—due to some of the manichaeans not being put down. The store was filled with nothing but crates of water, boxes of snacks and homemade containers of jam and peanut butter, racks of fresh meat, and boxes of vegetables.

It was almost like a buffet of many things you need. Violet thought to herself that this was only one the places with supplies she's been to, this was probably unlimited. Moo led her to an old supply room at the back that was filled with stacked wooden boxes. She saw a girl sitting in a chair by one of the stacked boxes eating a bag of chips. When she looked up her face brightened up when she saw Moo as she jumped out running towards him and gave him a big hug.

"Hi, brother!!" she said cheerfully, "what brings you down here?"

"Came for a friend, she needs some goods for her group."

She looked over at Violet as she waved. The girl smiled widely at her then to Moo.

"Did you get another girlfriend, Mattie? I haven't seen her around before."

Both of them blushed brightly, Violet especially. She never had the thought of dating a guy, her friend for that matter. Though he was the only guy she ever liked in her life, she thought he was too good-looking to be with someone like her anyway.

"N-no!!" he exclaimed nervously, "This is the friend, Violet. Violet, Coyote."

Violet can kinda see how she got the name Coyote. She quite scrawny and a little skinny, her long hazel hair was untamed, thick, and messy, she was noticeably snaggled tooth, dark brown eyes, she wore a necklace of animal teeth, and had a gouge in her right ear. She looked like she was raised by coyotes. Violet also thought she kinda reminded her of Willy of some sort.

She was also the sister Moo was talking about before she got here. She didn't belong to Victoria, that was for sure. Violet just assumed she was the product of another woman his dad was with.

"Oooh... nice to meet you, and in case you're wondering, yes Coyote is my real name. You have a pretty name, maybe because you're a pretty girl. You look like a nice person, its hard to find someone like that these days. How long—"

"Coyote!" Moo silenced her, "please, she's my best friend and we just met up, don't talk her to death."

"Oh, oh, sorry! Bad habit."

"You think?"

"Anyway, how many are you feeding."

"Um, we're a small group but could I take another crate for us to last longer?" Violet asked.

"Sure, sure! Hell, take about six."

"Heh, we probably won't need that much."

Coyote shrugged, "Alright, let me get these two crates and you can have at it."

She grabbed two of one the biggest crates handing them to Violet. Violet almost stumbled over by how big they are, this will probably make up for all the time she's been gone by bringing back years worth of resources.

Her main mission was finally complete.

After filling up the crates to the point Violet couldn't carry them. They rode around for a bit with Storm want to stay back with Catalina for a while. Violet didn't know why she was upset, possibly it could be because she was leaving, but she looked upset before she told she had to leave tomorrow, mainly at Moo.

As Moo drove beside a sidewalk, a couple of girls walked by then turned over to Moo waving and staring at him flirtatiously. He just waved back before rolling his eyes and speeding up the kart.

"See what I mean?" Moo groaned, but Violet just stayed quiet.

She didn't know how to feel about that, part of her wanted to laugh, but the other part was jealous and angry. She hasn't felt that way since she been with Minerva when other girls flirt with her and would flirt back or when Clementine got together with Louis.

What's going on with me? she thought, I'm not into dudes, or I don't think...?

She shook her head. The two were just friends as she had to keep repeating it in her mind. Besides, the two just reunited, how could you like a childhood best friend? Matthew turned out too good looking for her anyway, she thought he wouldn't want some girl like her like Minerva. And that made her a little upset.

Violet didn't even know anymore, she always thought she was just into girls, but ever since she spent time with Moo again and all he's doing she started to think otherwise, or just started to think differently about him.

Did she really start to have a crush on her best friend?