'Nova wait up…' Bray called running after her. When he caught up with her, he took note of what she was wearing…she had tribal clothes on. 'Where did you get those?'

She barely glanced at him, 'Alice and Ellie made them for me last night. They gave them to me before I could leave and had me put them on. Figured it would help me blend in.'

'They suit you.'

'Thanks…all I need is the face paint.' She smiled at him and they laughed.

'Yeah…you think you'll color your hair?'

She looked shocked. 'Umm…no. I don't think so. I like the color of my hair just fine.'

He tended to agree with her. With the sun shining on her hair, it was the color of the sunset. She had radiant gold and red fiery highlights. They walked on in silence until…

'Did you know Amber's first love was named Sasha? Perhaps the one we are going to find.' He asked solemnly.

'No. So you and Amber are married?'

'No, not really. I used to care for her…love her. Things have changed since then.'

'I'd ask, but it's none of my business.'

'What?'

'What happened with you two.'

'Oh…we kinda fell out. We wanted different things from life. She wasn't willing to compromise on certain issues.'

She nodded, 'Why did you call me Nova?'

He shrugged, 'Seemed like a good nickname. You know?'

'Yeah…did you know that my father used to be a doctor. He specialized in name placements…their history. He gave me my name both when I was first born and when I was reborn…before he passed on.'

'Reborn?'

'After the virus…'

'Oh. What does your name mean now?'

'Novalee Rhona…' she laughed. 'I thought he was crazy when he told me I should use that name. But he knew things were changing. He was dying, I was going to become the girls' mother. He chose the name because it means New and Powerful Leader. Ridiculous really to think of me as a leader. I suppose it made some sort of sense. When the children came over with us, he started calling me his "little leader".'

'It's a good name…and what of the girls?'

She smiled brightly, 'I named them. I knew when I did, they would truly be mine. Melantha means dark flower…and Sierra means natures' beauty. Those names fit them the best.'

'So you know what some names mean?'

'Yeah, my father used to teach me. I helped him before…' She broke off, staring into the distance. 'We're almost there. It's just a little further.' The pair increased their pace, heading for an old abandoned building.

'Aaaahhhhh!!!' A horrible scream could be heard and Novalee broke into a run. 'Sasha!' she yelled. She climbed up the gate at the back of an old alley with Bray close behind. When she saw several boys hitting a tied up Sasha with rocks, she gave a war cry and jumped off of the gate, heading straight for the group.

'Novalee wait!' Bray cautioned, but she paid him no heed. Chaos broke out as Novalee went into full-fighting mode. She knocked out one with a punch, and jump kicked another. When one threw a knife at her, she caught it mid- flight and threw it right back, plunging the knife blade into his shoulder. Bray started to free Sasha as he watched Novalee take the last one down with a few well-placed jabs.

'Sasha.' She came to stand by her friend. 'You alright?'

'Yes…I will be fine. Why did you come for me?' he asked.

She looked at him placing a hand to her heart, 'You know the answer to that.'

Suddenly clouds came rolling over their heads. 'We must get shelter.'

Novalee and Bray shook their heads, 'No.' Bray said.

'He's right Sasha.' Novalee concurred. 'We must get back to the others. I have to check on the children.'

'You left them?' Sasha was perplexed.

She nodded, 'Do you see them here? I left them with…friends.'

As they started back home, Sasha kept mumbling to himself, 'She said the only way she'd leave those girls was if she was dead.'

Suddenly a hand came out and smacked the back of his head, 'Shut up Sasha. It's because of you I'm not dead. Now more walking, less talking.'



*Meanwhile with Lex*

'So Mel, what exactly were you guys up to before coming here?' Lex asked.

Mel looked nervously at Lex, 'Where's my aunt?'

'She went with Bray to find your friend Sasha.'

'Really…that's great. What do you mean? Do you mean the fighting? Or do you mean the school?'

Lex smiled widely, 'Fighting? School?'

'Yes, my auntie teaches us things. She says we have to know things to survive. My auntie would do anything for us.'

'Even kill for you?'

'I suppose so…I don't know.' Mel looked shocked, but smiled at something behind Lex's shoulder.

'It's Tai-San isn't it?'

Mel laughed, 'Uh huh. She looks mad.' The little girl giggled when Lex took on a scared expression.

'Mel sweetie, can you go play and leave Lex and me to talk please.' Tai- San smiled at the little girl as she ran off laughing.

Slowly Lex stood up and turned around to face his wife. 'Hey babe.'

'Don't give me that. What do you think you're doing?'

'I was just talking with the girl.' He sighed when Tai-San leveled him with a disbelieving look. 'Okay, okay. I was trying to make sure that Novalee isn't a spy.'

'Lex, I told you she wasn't. Why must you push things past the point?'

'I'm sorry…I promise to stop.'

Tai-San walked over to him and leaned up for a brief kiss, 'You better.'

Lex smiled, 'I will.'

'Sasha! Sasha!' the girls screamed causing Lex and Tai-San to break apart.

'So that is Sasha. Hmmm.' Lex pondered.

'Lex…you promised.'

The trio came to stand in front of Lex and Tai-San. 'Tai-San will you please show Sasha to my room so he can rest?' Bray asked.

'But what about…' Tai-San started.

'I know…trust me. Just take him up there. Tell her it's a gift from me. Maybe she can finally forgive herself.'

Tai-San nodded with a serene smile.