A/N: Okay, it was pointed out to me that there's some confusion about Erin speaking.  Just so you know, when it seems like Erin's speaking, she's actually mouthing the words.

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Chapter 14: Said And Done

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Lydecker: No maid service.  No wake-up call.  No mints on the pillow.

Motel Clerk: No worries.  We pride ourselves as much on our discretion as we do on our lack of amenities.

-Lydecker and Motel Clerk (And Jesus Brought A Casserole)

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'This will all fall down like everything else that was

This too shall pass and all of the words we said

We can't take back'

-Matchbox Twenty (Last Beautiful Girl)

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Max and Alec looked at each other and Alec turned back to Erin "just give us a sec."  They moved to the other end of the room.

"Her story is unbelievable!" Alec talked low enough so only a transgenic could hear him "no one in their right mind would believe her."

"I do" Max replied just as quietly "I saw her in a dream- she was one of the good guys."

Alec looked at her as if she were insane "no way."

"I think we should trust her, let her stay.  Keeping her away from White can only be a good thing right?  If it makes you feel any better, let someone keep an eye on her."

Max gave him her stubborn 'leader look' that he was sure she'd been practicing.  He rolled his eyes "fine, just don't hit me when I say 'told you so'."

 "So" Alec led Erin out of HQ, his hands in his pockets and his 'Smart Alec' grin in place, "you're 18 huh?"

 Erin readjusted the strap of her bag on her shoulder "yeah."

"I knew you were older- I can usually tell how old a woman is."  Alec led them through the garage.

"Right" Erin looked around her as they walked.

Every transgenic who saw them gave Alec a nod before glancing at Erin curiously then going back to whatever they were doing.

"You're not fallin' for my charms are ya'?" Alec gave her a sideways glance.

Erin turned to smirk at him "should I be? Besides, I didn't think that was charm."

"Really?" Alec feigned interest "and what is your definition of charm?  I'll have you know, they actually taught classes on it back at Manticore."

"Charm can't be taught and it's obvious when it's fake- just like in your case.  Only someone extremely stupid would fall for what you're doin'." Erin turned to look back at where they were going.  "You're using it to make it seem like you want to get to know me, when in fact, you're using it to cover up the fact that you don't trust me and you don't think I should be here." 

Alec raised his eyebrows "Not bad."  He didn't deny what she said.

"Where are we goin'?" they climbed to the sixth floor.

"This" Alec opened the stairwell door "is where you're sleeping.  The higher up from the toxins, the better.  Hey Sketch! Cindy!"

Sketchy and Original Cindy both hurried over from the couch they were sitting on.  They stopped in front of them with questioning looks on their faces.

"This is Erin- another Ordinary.  She's 18, British and doesn't speak.  She just saved Max's family and she's stayin' here 'cause White is after her.  She's sleepin' on the couch- show her around." Alec left without waiting for a reply.

Erin watched him go with an amused expression in her face.  'What crawled up his butt and died?'  She turned back to O.C and Sketchy with a smile.  She stuck out her hand "Hey"

Half an hour later, all three of them were sat on the couch talking. 

A large part of the floor was made up of makeshift walls- the walls being curtains that created the sleeping quarters.  There were two 'rooms' on either side of the couch and in front of the couch was a fire in a large metal oil drum.  One of the 'rooms' was for Cindy and Max, another for Alec, one for Joshua and one for Logan and Sketchy.  Off to their left, there was a large hole about 50 feet in width and length.  Looking down you could see the other floors and the large open space with a burnt out car at the bottom.  Looking up you could see the cloudy Seattle sky.

"So, now you're stayin' here until my boo figures out what White wants with you?" Cindy nodded after Erin had explained her story. 

Both she and Sketchy watched Erin as she spoke, or rather mouthed the words to them.  She did it slowly so they could both understand her.

"Yeah, and then maybe I could go home."

"Cool" Sketchy grinned "bet you're missin' your Mom and Dad huh?"

"My parents are dead" Erin looked away "my grandparents raised me after they died."

"Sorry" Sketchy mumbled and looked down at his feet.

"Yeah, we sorry suga'" O.C smiled when Erin turned to look at them again.

Erin shrugged "No biggie.  You didn't know and it happened when I was a kid."

Any more of the conversation ended when the stairwell door opened and the X6 known as Dalton walked in.

"Er hey" Dalton looked at the three of them before focussing on Erin. "You're Erin right? I saw you come in with Max's family on the skateboard."

Erin nodded.

"Dude!" Sketchy beamed at Erin "you board?" 

Erin nodded again "Yeah, I brought a board and some blades with me."

"Cool! We gotta do some of that later- show me some of your moves!"  He grinned happily.  He'd been getting bored.

"Sure" Erin nodded before turning back to Dalton.

"Alec asked me to show you around."

Erin stood up "Sure thing." She turned back to Cindy and Sketchy "talk to you guys later."

Next chapter: Watch Your Back…

"You don't belong here…you shouldn't think that you can walk in here and become one of us.  You'll never be one of us."

*Author grins* How wrong he is…  *looks innocent* did I say that?

A/N: Thanks for the reviews.  The bad news is, it might take me longer in the future to update but it will happen.  I've got all the big scenes worked out.  I just need to make the characters get there.  The good news is- IT'S XMAS!!!  Yep, the joys of the annual family get together is gonna make me hide in my room and amuse myself by writing and listening to loud music.

Thanks to Tramps-Like-Us for the usual sarcastic review and letting me bounce my story ideas off of you.  I know it's painful.

Thanks to Sara.  Wow, you're from the land of Oz?  Bet that's nice.  The boys, the hot weather, the boys…. *snaps back to reality* the scene with Logan's arse kicking will happen soon *evil grin* oh yes, and it'll happen more than once.  I just don't know if I'm putting it in the sequel.