Mordecai wondered how long the fire was going to last as he double checked his equipment. He had four weapons on hand: a Jacobs revolver, an electric repeater pistol, a sniper rifle, and a shot gun he'd only use in an emergency.

He glanced over at Erin, who had crouched to watch the fire. She didn't check her equipment, make sure a firearm was loaded, or even see if she had any grenades on hand. It looked like she was spacing out. She was leaving herself open to an attack, and it began to anger him. She didn't seem to be taking his challenge seriously.

Fine. It only makes her an easier target to hit.

Erin stood suddenly, lifting the spear, and stabbed it into a sycthid crawler that had wandered nearby. It screeched loudly.

"There's a lot of these in the rust commons." She said plainly.

The hunter looked at the monster. The insect on the end of the rusted lead pipe writhed in pain, still screeching. She lifted it and tossed it onto the fire, making it screech louder. Mordecai covered his ears and grit his teeth.

Erin stepped back from the burning corpse, "more will come. Get ready."

Sure enough, a staggering number of sycthids arrived. He cursed.

Sycthids were not by any means difficult to kill. They're weak and tend to go down in one shot except for the badass or giant insects, smelled bad, but still easy kills. Except, this time it felt like they were unending, killing them all took forever and more than half of his ammunition.

Mordecai scraped the slime from his boot once the last insect was killed and looked at the rapidly diminishing fire, and grimaced when he felt his shoulder sting. He had gotten bit by a weird looking desert sycthid. The wound wasn't too bad, but he wanted to take care of it soon.

"You probably didn't know this," Erin began to say, as she pulled her pipe from a poisonous sycthid, "but sycthids are attracted to the scent of burning Rakk ale and flesh. Also, when they're in trouble they start crying for help. That's why there was so many."

Mordecai met her dark gaze as she continued, "the magazine size of your revolver is quite small isn't it? Three bullets before reloading. Not to mention the low fire rate, about three seconds in between shots. Typical of Jacobs revolvers. The repeater pistol doesn't fire that quickly either, but it does seem to pack a punch."

She was observing him. A shiver passed though him as he glanced at the rapidly diminishing fire. He wouldn't have time to re-prepare for their duel.

"You planned this!" Mordecai growled.

Erin rose an eyebrow at him then nodded at the corpse.

"The fire's gone out," she said, turning her gaze back to him. She brandished the pipe like a spear, "your move."

He cursed and pointed the gun at her, fired. She stepped quickly to the side and rushed forward. He fired, she evaded, already she was too close to him. Mordecai reached up for his knife and swung it down, she blocked with the lead pipe and twisted, pushing the weapon to the side and down. He stepped backward, switched to the repeater pistol, held down the trigger. Erin dived to the side, rolling away. He managed to get a few to hit her but, it did little to break her shield, she must be using one that was resistant to electricity.

She was already back on her feet, keeping low she lunged at him. He evaded, moving back, and strafing to the left. Switching back to the pistol he aimed at her head, fired. The same moment she bent backward, dodging it. Dammit she was fast.

'I doubt you could hit me point blank' He remembered her saying and he cursed as he reloaded. She wasn't just talking shit back then, was she?

"Bloodwing!" He cried out. Try and dodge him!

Erin looked up, cursed, and grabbed up a large scrap of metal and used it as a shield from Bloodwings attack. Bloodwing practically flew into it, catching onto it with his talons and knocked it out of her hands. Mordecai pointed the gun at her and fired.

Erin managed to jerk her head out of the way, just in time to avoid a bullet in the skull, but not fast enough to keep it from breaking her shield and grazing her ear. She cursed, making a movement to reach for her ear, stopped, then ducked her head when he fired again. He missed. Shit.

Erin's focus was already back on him. She rushed at him again, grabbing his wrist and pinching a tendon in his arm that caused him to drop the gun.

Erin squeezed the pressure point.

"So, tell me, when you come across the Deatheater?"

Mordecai growled, "it's none of your business."

He moved with his knife to cut her and managed to slice into her arm before she twisted away. Mordecai dived for the gun, but Erin kicked it out of his grasp, brought her weapon down on it, and shattered the gun.

"You broke my gun!"

"That's not all I'm going to break."

Mordecai had to roll quickly, and she stabbed the pipe down, this time catching onto the belt holding his Echo and HUD display. He unclasped the belt, slipping away, staggering to get on his feet. He was beginning to feel strangely sluggish. Not good.

Erin looked him in the eye as she stabbed his Echo device, effectively blocking him from his other weapons. Dammit. It was quickly becoming a slug fest, which wasn't his style. He needed to end this fast.

She rushed at him again, he blocked her lead pipe with his knife, grabbed it and pulled it knocking her off balance. Mordecai positioned his knife to she'd fall into it face first, but she twisted to avoid it. He gripped her wrist, pinching her as she did earlier, making her drop her weapon.

"Not bad…" she hissed, "I can see how you were able to beat Nine-toes and Bone-head."

"News travels fast…"

He pinned her arm behind her back, and held his knife against her throat, feeling her other hand push it away. Erin leaned back, brought both of her legs up, causing them both to drop. They rolled in the dust, and she wrestled the knife away from him, pointed it at his neck. The tip poking his flesh.

Mordecai waited, watching her dark eyes study him. Why did his body feel so stiff? Was the previous mission catching up to him? No, that wasn't it. He'd dealt with worse wounds.

"Tell me, are the other vault hunters as strong as you?"

"Why are you asking?"

"You and the others defeated Sledge and his number two. He had something important. A piece of the Vault key?"

"What are you getting at?" he asked.

"I'm a vault hunter," she answered, "you understand that don't you?"

This kid, a vault hunter? For some reason it made sense. She was the only one they met aside from a bandit who didn't claim the Vault was a myth.

"So, you're going to kill me, then try and pick off the others to get it?" He had to admit he had a similar idea when he first met them. Get close, then kill them when they were least weary. "You're welcome to try, but I doubt that you'll have an easy time of it, little girl."

"I don't have to kill you, you know…" she said and narrowed her eyes at him, "no… I'd rather keep you alive."

He felt her eyes pierce him. This girl… she was the devil.

Mordecai cursed the strange numbness of his body. He knew he was strong enough to push her off. He had managed to wrestle her to the ground before, after being thrown off a speeding vehicle. Why was this time different? He glanced at the dried blood on her neck and bandage on her ear. At the very least he'd managed to hit her thanks to Bloodwing, but he felt unwilling to call on him again incase she'd hurt him.

"Your body feels numb right?" Erin asked.

"Did you do something to me?"

"That Sycthid that bit you earlier produces a toxin that causes paralysis, don't worry, it's not permanent or fatal. They only inject enough to stun you since they prefer for their prey to scream while being eaten alive."

"You…" Mordecai snarled.

She sighed, "You haven't answered my question."

Erin was sitting cross-legged on top of him, his sword resting on her lap as if it belonged to her.

"You haven't told me what this deal of yours entails." Was his reply.

"That's fair," she shrugged. He wished she would stop acting so relaxed. It got on his nerves.

"What is most valuable thing in the universe?" she asked.

"Sweet loot."

"Wrong. The answer is information."

"Alright…"

Erin leaned back, her weight pressing down against his stomach, "admittedly you need to have the right resources and be smart enough to use information correctly, otherwise it's about as useful as a water-soaked match."

Mordecai snarled, "That was a shit comparison." She wasn't heavy, but it was enough for him to feel uncomfortable and have trouble breathing. "You planned for those sycthids to show up before our fight started, making me use up half of my ammunition and get bitten by one of those things."

"You were the one who attacked first, and I didn't know that you'd get bitten by one that can cause paralysis. Besides, you could have requested to go back into town to treat your wound or get more supplies, hell you could have left me well enough alone."

"So, it's my fault?"

She cocked her head, "pretty much."

When he didn't reply she continued, "The point is, today you lost thanks to your own incompetence."

This girl was lucky he felt too weak to fight her, otherwise he'd be wrapping his fingers around her throat.

"So, I'm incompetent. I'm supposed to assume you're not?"

"The Deatheater, the one you call Bloodwing, is a native species of this planet. It seems that he's still a fledgling so it couldn't have been too long ago that you found him. My guess is around five months."

She was right, but she didn't need to know that.

"I don't know how you can come to that conclusion."

"Adult Deatheaters have strong enough talons to tear through to tear that rusty piece of scrap metal like paper."

Mordecai growled as he struggled to lift his arm. No good. He was still pinned under her. Erin was in a chatty mood, but it seemed they hadn't been talking long enough for the toxin to wear off.

"When are you getting to the point? You said you were a vault hunter right? My life in exchange for a piece of the key? Won't happen. Even if you do try and use me as leverage against the others, we're not so close that they'll give it up. And they'd sooner kill you before letting you have your way."

Erin chuckled, "as I said, you're incompetent. But props for pointing out the obvious: killing you won't benefit me in the least, and your life is worthless when compared to what could be found in the Vault. I already told you, I'd rather keep you alive."

"I want to go with you."

"Bullshit."

Mordecai didn't believe it.

Erin shifted and moved off of him, opting to sit next to him.

"I'm serious. I've been looking for the vault and its's key for years, so I've been all over this planet. I'm offering my knowledge and an extra hand in your search for it. Think about it. I was born here, so I know how things on this planet work. It could save you quite a bit of trouble."

He didn't like her smile, it was smug, relaxed. When this toxin wears off… His answer was going to be no. It didn't matter what she said. He wanted to kill her. He wanted her dead. The bitch hurt his bird. He had to keep her talking. Stall her until he can move again.

"You sound awfully confident," he said, "But I bet a little girl like you would just get eaten by a wild skag."

Her smile disappeared, "don't forget who kicked your ass just a few moments ago."

"True… true… you have some potential, but we're not looking to babysit some little brat."

Mordecai caught her hand twitch. He had to dial back the insults; he was still at a disadvantage. Still he willed his hand to move. His fingers twitched. Progress. Good. But not enough. The hunter had to try a different tactic.

"Look," he started again, "You're obviously a smart kid, and you know about how this place works, I get that, but there will be bandits out there that will know as much as you. We can't watch out for some kid. There's no point in getting caught in the crossfire and getting yourself killed."

"How sweet," she said, unconvinced, "maybe next time lead with that? You sound insincere considering the fact you've tried to kill me twice now."

"Also true. But I don't particularly care about your well-being, so much as how your family will feel when their youngest is killed by a bandit. I don't need them holding me responsible for your death."

"Nice tactic trying to use your enemy's connections against them, sadly getting me to feel bad about how they might feel if I die won't work with me. Besides, I can tell you don't care."

Oh well, obviously her relationship with her family was unimportant. He had to move on. Mordecai tried moving again, this time he tried his leg. He managed to lift it slightly, but at the cost of Erin noticing.

She sighed, gripped his wrists, and pinned them to the ground. He tried to push her away, and did manage push back a little, but not enough. Come on… get up.

"You're stalling Dreads, I suppose you're planning waiting for your strength to come back so you can kill me when I let my guard down. It won't work."

"I'm stronger than you, and if you kill me the others will come after you," he said, "you're better off just begging for forgiveness and hiding in New Haven."

Of course, he had no intention of letting her live regardless.

Mordecai continued, "there's nothing you can offer me or the others to convince us to let you tag along. Especially me, and especially now."

Erin furrowed her eyebrows, thinking, "you claim that we've reached an impasse."

"That's exactly what I'm saying."

"You're wrong."

Mordecai struggled to sit up, finding that he was able to push her back, "am I?" he reached for the repeater pistol in his pocket, "let me put it in your words, your life is worthless when compared to what was in the vault."

He stood up slowly, he hoped he looked more intimidating than he felt.

Erin shook her head, uncertainty entering her eyes. "No, I have something you want."

He pointed the gun at her.

"Oh? Do you now?" he asked. The uncertain expression on her face was refreshing to say the least.

She lifted her chin, "the vault's location. I know where it is."

Erin looked up at the person pointing the gun at her head. She should point out, she wasn't afraid. He could try to shoot her, but she could tell from how he was standing his legs could barely hold his weight. All she would have to do is lightly push his chest in order to have him on the ground again. Except, his arm was remarkably steady, for someone with the toxin still in their system. Rather he shouldn't even be standing yet. Where was he hiding all that strength?

"You…" was all he said when she said she knew where the Vault is.

It was dangerous information. Nothing was more valuable than this information, except what was inside the vault itself. She knew what could happen to her, what already happened to her. She shoved the memory away. It didn't matter. The Vault was within her grasp. Nothing else mattered, all she had to do was convince this person. She couldn't find the pieces of the vault key on her own.

"I know you don't have any reason to believe me," she started, "but for the past seventeen years I've been looking for the vault, and- "

He pressed the gun against her head, "I didn't hear you say that."

The barrel of the gun felt warm against her skin, and her heart began to pound against her chest. Still, the fact that he didn't already pull the trigger meant that she had his attention.

"Are you really passing up the opportunity to learn where the Vault is? Isn't it the reason why you came to pandora in the first place?"

"Stop talking. Now." He pressed the gun harder into her head, "I didn't hear you say that. Do you understand? You don't- "

A cry of a skag interrupted him.

Shit. She turned her head and saw the rest of Dreads' group trailing after a skag welp. Luka. Shit! She had the worst timing.

Dreads cursed, pointed his gun at Luka.

No! Erin tackled him, and he cursed again when he hit the ground.

"Dammit!" He screamed, pushing her off. The toxin must have run out, or adrenaline was helping him.

He pointed the gun at her. Oh shit, crap, stop, you're gonna piss him off even more! She grabbed his gun, pulling it down, he pulled the trigger, causing a multitude of electric blasts that began to damage both their shields diminish. She twisted and elbowed him in the head as hard as she could. He went down

Luka hadn't stopped his charge, he was roaring, his target the man who was attacking her.

"LUKA, HEEL!"

The skag skidded to a halt at her command. He was staring at Dreads body, growling menacingly.

"Sit!"

Luka looked up at her, confused, but obeyed.

"Good. Now stay." She emphasized her point by pointing down to the ground.

He whined, still confused. Sorry boy… I'm gonna give you a treat later for trying to protect me.

She looked at the new gathering of Vault hunters. They looked pissed.

"What the hell happened here?" Roland demanded.

Ooooh boy… What was she going to say? She had no idea. Hey, I beat the shit out of your buddy, and I want to help you find the vault. Yeah… no. She flinched when she heard the click of a repeater pistol being pointed at her head.

GOD! WHAT ARE YOU DREADS!? A FREAKING ZOMBIE!?

"This little…" Dreads started, "this little piece of shit… nearly fucking killed me. AGAIN!"

Erin ducked, reached up to grab his gun again, but he pulled his arm away before she could.

Run. She had to run. She looked at Luka. No. She can't. They might hurt him.

Dreads grabbed her wrist and pulled her face close to his.

Eegads…His breath smelled like death.

"You're gonna pay…"

She heard Luka growl.

"Luka! Stay!"

"That your skag?" He asked menacingly. She glared at him. He wouldn't dare…

"Mordecai knock it off," it was Tattoo.

Dreads… Morde… Murde… Mo…? Nope, still gonna call him Dreads.

"Lilith, you don't know what happened here."

Oh, so that was her name. She had to commit this to memory. Tattoo equals Lilith. Lady with the sick ass tattoo and red hair is named Lilith. Lilith. Lilith. Liiiiiillllliiiiiith. Her name is Lilith because a lily is only a fraction of her beauty. Hence, a Lilith. Alright. Got it. Stop. Focus. Your life is in danger. Good lord his breath stinks… When was he going to let her go?

"No, I don't, but what I saw was you holding a gun against her head and …" She looked at Erin.

"I'm sorry, but what's your name again? I'm so bad at remembering names."

"Erin. Erin Ryder. And don't worry I'm the same way."

Dreads began to growl.

Ta- Lilith nodded, "Erin… kept you… from being eaten by a skag."

"Seconds before she had me pinned to the ground with a knife to my throat."

"I wasn't going to kill you." Erin pointed out quickly.

"Liar…"

"You were paralyzed, if I wanted to kill you, I wouldn't have bothered trying to talk to you."

"Right…"

Lilith looked from Dreads to Erin.

"What did you talk about?"

Erin saw her window, "I-"

Dreads covered her mouth.

"Doesn't matter. Everything that comes out of her mouth is shit."

Well his glove certainly smelled like shit.

Roland walked over an picked up the broken Echo.

"It doesn't matter what they talked about. We already heard the important part."

He looked at Erin coolly, "So, you know where the vault is. Mind telling us where it is?"

She pulled Dreads' hand away from her mouth, "I can't tell you, but I can show you where it is. Just let me come with you."

A gun was pressed against her temple, and she suddenly felt her blood go cold. Dreads had his arm firmly around her neck, his strength seeming to have returned.

"How about you just give us the information we need, and maybe we'll let you live."

Erin felt herself grow stiff, her legs growing rooted to the spot. 'Maybe' he says. No, he had no intention of letting her live. If she told them or not, he'd pull the trigger, and her head would be nothing more than a stain in on the ground. Dreads had a grip on her like a vice and his breath smelled like the rotting corpse she'd hidden under some time ago. She had no hope for escape, and she doubted anything she could say would save her life. A glance at Lilith told her that the redhead was a neutral party, and Brick seemed the sort of person to always side with a friend. She'd get no help from anyone here. And Luka... She didn't want to think about what he'd do, or what might happen to him if she was killed in front of him.

For the first time in a long time, she felt like the specter of Death was looming over her, holding its blade at her throat, ready to take her life. Only, Death didn't have a blade, it was Dreads, holding a gun to her head. Shit. She didn't want to be in this type of situation again. Never wanted to be in this situation again. But of course, like a complete moron she managed to put herself in this shit again. Erin willed her legs not to tremble and took a deep breath.

No, she still had the upper hand. This isn't the first time she'd been in this situation before, and she could handle it. She wasn't a helpless little kid anymore.

"Feel free to pull the trigger. But if you do, you'll have no hope in getting to the Vault."

"What makes you say that?"

"Traps."

Roland's eye twitched, a faint flinch, and she felt Dreads stiffen slightly. Good.

"I've been to the vault before and let me tell you the Eridians have a real love for puzzles" she continued, "and I got all the way to the gate before finding out that I still needed the key. So, don't think for a second that I didn't set up more before I left."

"We can handle a few traps." Dreads said, pressing the gun harder against her head.

"I'm certain you can. But the reason you haven't shot me yet means you're not sure if you're willing to chance those traps killing any of you."

She heard a growl from his throat, and he squeezed her shoulder. Hard enough that it almost hurt. Erin narrowed her eyes at Roland, waiting on his call.

The soldier glared at her, then shot a look to Dreads. Another growl, and the gun was pulled from her head. Erin quickly stepped away from Dreads the second he let go.

She rubbed her shoulder, "good choice."

Roland studied her a moment, "No one else knows about the Vault right?"

Erin shook her head, "no, no one- aside from all of you."

"Good," he glanced over to Brick, "Brick mentioned you'll be putting us up for the night, for free. You're not going to be going back on that are you?"

"I won't. There is a motel around, but I won't be able to afford it, but I have living quarters underneath the clinic. You're welcome to stay there for the night."

"Do you have a shower?" Lilith asked, still the neutral party.

"Yes, washing machine and laundry detergent too."

"Oh, thank god."

Erin glanced at Dreads who was about to jam a health hypo in his arm.

"You'll also be able to treat your friend's wounds there."

He growled at her, shoving the hypo in his pocket, "I better not regret this."

Erin hoped so too.