Feeling the writing bug today! Hoping to keep updating now that I'm finally feeling better! New chapters for some of my other stories will hopefully be up soon. Until then, I hope you enjoy the next chapter!

~DDM~

He glared at me with those golden eyes, sitting back in his chair and crossing his arms.

"If you name him…you'll become more attached to him." he said finally, and it clicked for me. The look he was giving me, the irritation at the idea of me becoming comfortable with the familiar.

"You mean, I'll become more attached to him, than I will be to you?" I asked, trying to keep my tone innocent as I finally took a bit of my muffin. The butter was rich and creamy, and I sighed with satisfaction from the taste. A low growl had me looking back at my host, his stormy expression gave me the answer that he didn't seem to want to put into words. We stared at each other and I gave in and smiled at him, trying not to laugh at his petulant expression.

"Familiars are not for getting attached to." He said. "They have roles."

"You said he belongs to me," I said again. "He protected me from the others, I think he deserves a name."

"They aren't people." He snapped.

"Would it be better if I looked at him like a pet?" I asked, remember he'd asked me if that was why I gave him a name. "Like a guard dog."

He seemed to relax at that, looking thoughtful.

"You may see him as a pet if that's what you want, just remember they are no longer people, do not, get attached to him as if he were a friend."

"I prefer gold to blue." I said casually, taking another bite of my muffin and stifling a giggle as he grinned, all the tension leaving him. "There's no reason to be jealous."

He rolled his eyes and stood, pulling his black coat off the back of his chair and putting it on.

"I'm not jealous of the familiar," he said, rolling his eyes again.

"Okay." I said, dusting off my hands and watching him move to retrieve his hat from the table.

"Are you finished? I should be close enough to the town by now to get there on the bike."

"Yeah," I stood, following him out of the car and into the next one where the map was. We didn't stop, continuing to the next car in line. I watched as he pulled a tarp off of a shiny, silver bike. As he began checking it over, I looked out the window of the side door and saw we'd come to a complete stop; it had been so gradual I hadn't noticed.

"Here," I looked over and saw he was holding a black cover up out for me. It was much to large for me but he helped me pull it over my head, the hood coming up to hide most of my face. He handed me a pair of goggles as well, thankfully those fit. "These will protect you from the sand."

I stepped aside as he took hold of the side door and pulled, rolling it open before going back to the bike and swinging his leg over to straddle it. I took his offered and hand climbed on behind him as he revved the bike to life. I scooted close to him and wrapped both arms around his middle as he pulled on a second pair of goggled and tucked his hat inside his jacket.

"Hold on!" he said over the sound of the bike and I clung to him as it lurched forward, shooting out of the train car and into the air for a moment before hitting the sandy ground with a thud. Even with the goggles, the sand hitting my face was painful. I tugged the large hood down over my face and pressed it into Gabriel's shoulder, hiding it from the sting. He put a hand on mine and gave a small squeeze as we shot across the dessert. It took around ten minutes to get there and I was relieved when we began to slow down, I lifted my head and looked up to see the town had come into view.

It was small like mine, with mostly wooden buildings lining the streets. The bike slowed as we came to what seemed to be the main street of the town. Gabriel killed the engine and we both climbed off, several people stopped to stare at us, mostly likely not seeing outsiders often. I took my goggles off and handed them to Gabriel as he did the same, sliding his hat on to hide most of his face, I kept my hood on for the moment. I looked around, more people stopping to look at us, but I ignored them, a skill I'd perfected in my own town; you get used to being started at and whispered about when it happened every day. I spotted what looked like a clothing supply store and pointed it out.

"I'm going to look there." I said softly, and he nodded, but I stopped when I realized something important. "I don't have any money."

"Don't worry about that," he shook his head, nudging me to start moving. "I've got that covered."

"Are you sure?" I asked as we approached the store.

"I will provide whatever you need." He said simply and I nodded, not really sure what to make of that statement.

We entered the small shop, a bell ringing above the door. A short, round man appeared from behind the counter.

"Good morning…" his jovial smile slipped as he took us in. I still had my hood up, hiding most of my face in shadows, while Gabriel's hat did the same. He obviously knew we were not from here and was suddenly cautious. "Can I help you?"

I lowered my hood and gave the nervous man a smile, he seemed to relax slightly but his eyes shifted to the tall figure behind me.

"Good morning," I said politely. "I'm looking for some new clothing."

"We have women's clothing in that section," he pointed to the back of the store and I smiled in thanks and made my way over, my shadow close behind.

"You folks aren't from around here," the man said as I located a rack of dressed. They were simple, but they would do.

"Just passing through," Gabriel said, voice low.

"We don't get many visitors." The shop keeper said.

"We won't be staying." I said as I picked a few dresses and brought them to the counter. I liked the rich colors and the simple design of the dresses, blue, red, grey and green with small buttons on the bodice. I placed them on the counter and the man gave me an uneasy smile. He gave me the price and I was gently pushed aside, Gabriel setting the desired amount of money on the counter.

"Where can I find the general store?" I asked as the man put the dresses into a bag for me.

"Two shops to the right." He said, looking relieved we were leaving his store.

"Thank you." I led Gabriel from the stop, pulling my hood back up to hide my face from the scorching sun. My companion took my bags from me, carrying them as we made our way to the next stop. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed a few people hurrying into the store we'd just come out of, I was sure they were trying to find out if the shop keeper knew anything about us. I kept my hood up this time as we entered the General Store.

I found a few of the hygiene products I needed, including a wide black paddle brush for my hair that I was pleased to have found. We paid and left quickly, the shop keeper hadn't said a word to us, just blatantly stared as one of the employees followed us around, most likely making sure we weren't going to steal anything. No one trusted outsiders.

We left the shop and my stomach gave a loud protest, making me blush as Gabriel laughed at me.

"Do you want to return to the train or find food here?" he asked as he took the other bag from me.

"Here would be fine." I said, relinquishing the bags to him. "I saw an eatery over there."

"You go and I'll meet you." He said.

"Where are you going?"

"Just to put these on the bike, one of the fenders has a compartment."

I nodded, and we parted, him going back to the bike and me heading toward the sign above a door that say 'Sue's Kitchen'. I pushed open the door, glad to be out of the heat of the direct sun. As soon as I entered, a hush fell over the room, all talking stopped as the dozen or so people at the various tables stared at me. I ignored them as I lowered my hood and looked around; the place was space, only a few tables and a couple of booth seats.

"Welcome to Sue's." said a female voice and I turned to see a plump woman making her way towards me, a warm smile on her lined face. "Just you?"

"No, my partner will be here soon."

"Two then?"

I nodded and she gestured for me to follow her, the people I passed staring at me still.

"Thank you." I said as I sat in the booth she directed me to.

"Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked and I asked for a water, not sure if Gabriel wanted anything or not. I knew he could eat human food, he had on the train, but I didn't remember if he drank anything or not; not even sure if he drank anything besides blood. I looked over the menu she handed me before she bustled off, the chatter in the room slowly picking up again when I didn't do anything interesting enough to keep looking at. I'd just decided on a beef stew when the door opened again, I looked up, expecting to see Gabriel, but instead saw a tall, handsome man with blond hair. He looked around for a moment then spotted me and headed my direction. I looked down at my menu, hoping he wouldn't come to talk to me.

"Well, Joshua said we had visitors but he forgot to mention one of them was so beautiful." The man said as he stopped next to my booth. Where was Gabriel? "Welcome to Justice."

"Thank you," said, reluctantly looking up at the man.

"The names Matt," he held out a hand and I hesitated before I shook it.

"Lily."

"Well, Lily, mind if I join you." He slid into the seat across from me before I could answer. "Joshua said you had a friend with you. We don't get many outsiders."

"My partner is just putting our bags in the bike." I said, frowning at how causal and comfortable the man seemed to be across from me. He was quite handsome, most likely having many admires here, but I just wanted him to go away.

"You Nomads?" he asked. "Looking for a place to settle?"

"No, we are just passing through."

"A woman like you deserves a home." He said with a smirk, leaning his elbows against the table.

"You don't know me." I said, wishing Gabriel was here.

"No, but I can tell you want a home to call your own, someone who can give that to you."

"That's awfully forward of you." I said, unimpressed.

"I know an opportunity when I see one." Matt gave me a charming smile, his grey eyes locked on my green ones.

"Obviously not." I snapped, irritated. Before I could say anything else, the door opened again, and I had never been as happy to see someone as I was when Gabriel walked in. People whispered as he spotted me and made his way over.

"Lily." His voice was smooth. "Making friends?"

"Hardly." I said, scowling at my current table mate.

"Names Matt," he held his hand out to Gabriel, who just looked at him from beneath his hat; Matt lowered his hand. "I was just welcoming the beautiful lady to our town."

"Is that so?"

"Yeah, it's a fine place to live, great for settling down and raising a family." My jaw dropped at the audacity of the man as he winked at me. Gabriel's shoulders tensed, and a dark aura seemed to surround him, danger leaching off him in waves.

"I think we should go." I said, sliding out of the booth and putting my arm through Gabriel's. He looked down at me with a frown, I could see his golden eyes beneath the shadow of his hat from my shorter height.

"No need to run off," Matt said, his confidence still in place despite the feelings coming off of Gabriel. "We were just getting to know each other."

"Come on," I said, using my arm in his to turn Gabriel's body away from the other man; hoping to head off any confrontation. Matt had other ideas however, when he reached out and grabbed my other elbow.