A/N: I must admit I'm having a little trouble with this fic at the moment but it's just a touch of writers block and I have some left to post so hopefully I'll get over the blockage before I run out of fic. I'm sorry I've taken so long to post but what with A levels and homework I haven't had a lot of time lately I'll try and find more but I can't promise anything.

Tribal Ranger: Thanks!

Raven: Here's more for ya.

Tribe Bohemian: Thanks I couldn't bring myself to kill any of the main characters yet; I thought it was too early in the story for such an emotional blow to the group, I felt it would change them and that they'd suffered enough for the time being.

Anyway on with the story!

Ellie awoke slowly and saw Jack watching her and smiling.

"Good Morning" she mumbled sleepily as she turned to face him. She winced as a sharp reminder of the wound on her leg shot through it.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked his smile exchanged for a look of concern for his girlfriend. Ellie smiled again

"I'm fine" She lied. Jack wasn't fooled but did not press her about it and instead replaced his own smile.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked to change the subject.

"Great, much better than the beach," she replied

"Or those lumpy mattresses on the boat." Jack added chuckling.

"I wonder if Trader made it." Ellie thought aloud.

"I'm sure he's fine he's a survivor." Jack said reassuringly to her.

They lay in silence for a few minutes before there was a knock at the door and Lottie's voice called "Breakfast is in ten minutes."

"Ok we'll be down." Ellie replied and she and Jack got dressed, Ellie slightly more slowly than usual but still refusing Jacks help.

Ellie used her driftwood crutch to aid her in walking down the stairs and as she and Jack entered the Dining Room they saw most of the tribe had already come down and were having breakfast.

While Ellie sat down Jack got them both a bowl of fresh fruit salad. Alicia joined the table near them and Ruby.

"So whereabouts did you come from?" she asked interestedly.

"We came from a city across the ocean," Jack said

"Our boat was lost in the storm a few nights back but most of us made it to the shore." He continued. Alicia smiled

"Where in the city did you live?"

"The Mall" Ellie answered, "The Phoenix Mall, well Ruby lived in a saloon on the outskirts."

"In a town called Liberty." Ruby added.

"So did you live here before the virus?" Ellie asked Alicia who shook her head

"No, Michael lived here and as he's my cousin I figured I'd join him after the virus killed my parents." She answered.

"What about Danny?" Ruby questioned as she finished her breakfast.

"He came with Beth, I think they knew each other from school or something and she was coming out here to escape the chaos of the town a few miles away, she didn't know Michael and I were here but her and Danny thought it would be a good hideout."

"So you and Beth aren't related?" Jacks said, they had seemed so much like sisters. Alicia laughed

"No, we didn't know each other until after the virus but she is like family to me now."

By this point everyone had finished and Ruby and Alicia collected the dishes and took them to the kitchen as Darryl walked in and got himself some fruit followed by Lex who also got some food but dished himself up twice as much as Darryl.

As Lex started shovelling food into his mouth Trudy walked in with Brady,

"Do you have to eat like that?" she asked disgustedly.

"Like what?" Lex asked his mouth still full of food.

"Urghh!" Trudy said and sat Brady down at the opposite end of the table.

After breakfast the Mallrats were unsure what to-do and so congregated in the lounge. Beth, Alicia and Michael met with them and when everyone but Danny and Ram was present Beth said

"I think the best course of action is for us all to have set chores and once they are done we can all have free time. If everyone can be responsible for their own rooms then that narrows down the amount of work each day." Beth waited for a response and there were several nods and murmurs of

"Ok".

Beth with Michael's and Amber's help designated chores for each person including Ram and Danny. By the time this was finished it was lunchtime and so everyone helped with the cooking as had happened the night before.

Alicia was sent to find Danny and Ram who she found in their rooms, Danny painting his fingernails black and Ram staring blankly out of the window. And when they all returned a lunch of beans on toast was served. Everyone helped with the clear up and set about their chores with occasional help from each other.

Beth finished her chores early and headed to the gym for a work out. She was kickboxing a punch bag when she heard the door open behind her, turning she saw Lex who entered the room. Beth faced forwards and continued to punch and kick the gym equipment waiting for him to speak.

After a few seconds she broke the silence

"Can I help you?" Lex walked slowly round so he was facing her but was still a little behind the punch bag.

"Not bad" He said nodding slightly still watching her; he admired her skill and her feistiness. In some ways she reminded him of Siva but she was still very different.

Beth stopped and looked at him

"Did you want something?" she asked a little out of breath wondering what he was doing and why he was watching her like that.

"Actually yes." Lex said looking her in the eye.

"I wanted to exercise, mind if I join you?" Beth was surprised at this answer but stepped back a bit

"Be my guest." She offered indicating with her hand for him to go ahead.

Lex hit the punch bag several times ducking and moving as thought it was a live opponent hitting back.

"You're kidding right?" Beth said laughing at Lex purely to make him mad as she honestly didn't believe he was a bad fighter and his muscular... she mentally shook herself, he was a jerk she shouldn't think like that. "Alicia could fight better."

Lex stopped and stood straight, he was angry and saw an opportunity for payback for being hit in the face.

"Really?" He said coming around from the punch bag.

"What about you? Could you do better?" he challenged.

"Let's see shall we?" Beth said moving into an area at the end of the room devoid of gym equipment.

Lex followed her and his only response was to aim a punch at her face. She leaned back slightly so he missed and deftly kicked him in the stomach which caused him to double over.

"Come on, that's all you've got?" Beth taunted.

Lex looked up admiring the way she fought physically and verbally challenging him but without changing his expression he said

"You wish." He again aimed a punch at her face only this time it was a diversionary tactic so that when she ducked to her right away from his fist, his left fist flew up to met her face.

Beth felt herself being thrown by Lex's punch and used the force to spin around and kick his left side. As Lex staggered she stood up and wiped a trickle of blood from her lip

"Better." Her tone suggesting she wasn't so sure. Beth kicked out again however this time Lex was ready, he crouched and kicked the leg she was standing on out from under her causing her to fall on her back.

He resumed his standing position and looked at Beth where she lay on the floor breathing heavily.

"How was that?" He asked cockily. Beth kicked his own legs out from underneath him as he had hers,

"Not bad." She answered still regaining control of her breathing. After a few seconds Beth stood up, she offered her hand to Lex who took it and also stood up. They stared into each others eyes for a few moments that felt to Beth like hours and just as their lips met, Beth realised what she was doing and let go of Lex's hand. She was unsure what had just happened and needed time to process it.

"I'll…uh…I'll see you later." She said and hurried from the gym. Lex leant back against the wall behind him and sighed.

"Damn" he said as he bashed his head against it, hardly believing what had happened himself. Sure she was a good fighter but what else did he know about her? Well she's smart, funny, beautiful, resourceful… a voice in his head said. He stormed out of the room furious with himself, wondering what would have happened if she hadn't pulled away.