It's nothing to worry about.
For some reason, Lake was feeling quite nervous. They had no idea why, after all, all Jesse said is that there would be a surprise waiting for them at the mall. Not a big deal.
Jesse was getting quite excited about something as they headed up to the food court together. They didn't know what Jesse was talking about until they saw her.
Grace.
Lake could feel the lump in their metal gut. "Jesse! How did she get off the train? And why did you think it was a good idea to have me meet her again?"
"There's nothing for you to worry about! I've changed!" said Grace.
"You tried to kill me when Jesse and I met you on the train!"
"I didn't know that denizens had feelings, too. But I learned that not only are denizens people, but they are here to help passengers like me."
"I'm still suspicious. How did you find out that I got off the train? How did you even get off the train?"
"I got my number down to zero, just like all the other passengers who've gotten off that train. I've been trying to keep in touch with all the passengers I met while I was on the train, and that's how I found the pictures Jesse took of you and him. I messaged Jesse, and he told me you'd forgive me if we met again!"
"Jesse!"
"Grace is right. She has changed! Don't you like how she's respecting you now?"
"I still don't understand how someone like you can change. You sent the Flecks after me!"
"Well, I guess I'll have to tell you about the denizen that changed my life" Grace said sheepishly.
"What do you mean?"
Grace sighed. "Her name was Hazel. I thought she was a passenger at first because she looked like a human with a number, so I tried recruiting her into the Apex, but then I found out that she was actually a turtle person and the number was fake. I wanted to hate her for tricking me, but I just loved her way too much. I wanted to protect her, but I was worried Simon was gonna kill her if he found out. So I lied to him about Hazel, and then he made me call her a null. I felt really bad about it, and I tried to apologize, but Hazel never accepted my apology. I wish she did, because I loved her more than any of those passengers. She was like my daughter. I wish I could take her with me off the train, because then I could take care of her and she would be safe." At this point, Grace was tearing up at having to tell the tale.
"I wish I could have met Hazel. She seems like a nice kid."
"She was."
"I-it's so weird that you're acting so much nicer all of a sudden. Like, you aren't even calling me a null anymore. I'm not sure if I can handle this."
"Do you want to be friends with me? It would be cool if I got to hang out with another denizen again."
"Maybe. I think I need some time to think about it."
Jesse couldn't help but barge into the conversation. "You guys are friends now!"
"Jesse!" Lake and Grace snapped.
"Sorry, I was just so excited by the idea of you two becoming friends."
Lake gave Jesse a forehead flick. "You could at least keep your mouth shut while that happens" Lake snarked.
"How about you spend some time with your man while you think about it?" suggested Grace.
"Sounds like a plan."
As Lake spent time shopping with Jesse, they couldn't help but keep thinking about the idea of befriending Grace. Maybe it wasn't such a bad idea after all.