A/N: TravelingThroughTime, I hope my depiction of Quinn doesn't disappoint. Feedback is always adored.

It must've once been a very ordinary building on a very ordinary block, but in these times, it was a bloody miracle. The stone building rose up a full one and a half stories tall. The second story was partly crumbled away -- probably from a dragon digging through it for people -- but the first floor was entirely intact. The cement walls had been scorched, and in one or two places literally melted, but they were still standing. It must've begun its life as some sort of warehouse to sport that kind of windowless design, but whatever the reason, the burned out husk was perfect for their needs. As they approached, Creedy wondered why no one stopped them at fifty feet before finding out as he got closer.

The sentry was sleeping on duty. Creedy and Rio stood side by side watching the young man snore quietly. He couldn't decide whether to be angry with the kid or take pity on him for being so exhausted. Rio just looked amused, her lips tipped up in that secretive smile. He chose to clear his throat tactfully. Knowing Mike, he'd feel terrible for falling asleep. No reason to make him feel worse.

"Oh, uh...Creedy. You're back," Michael stammered, sitting up and blinking his eyes. "Who are you?" he added, noticing Rio a bit belatedly.

"Mike, this is Rona." Creedy had a brief mental lapse trying to decide how to introduce her. "She's a friend of mine, and she's welcome here." He waited for the youth to nod before he went on, "Where's Quinn?"

Michael turned an interesting shade of scarlet. "I... uh... I'm not exactly sure. I can go find him--"

"Don't worry about it," Creedy gestured for him to stay seated. "We'll find him. Keep your eyes open." He gave Michael a meaningful look before he walked into the burned-out building. It had once been a grocery store and it still sported the slotted shelves. It gave the small band inside space for privacy. People could fit neatly in single rooms, but that didn't make it any less frustrating to bump elbows everytime you rolled over in your sleep. The space was a luxury, but the front was unsecured. Though fine as a temporary shelter, it wouldn't do as any kind of permanent home.

As they moved through the store, Creedy saw the people eyeing Rio as they went. Some looked curious, others suspicious. Meeting with Quinn now would establish her as trusted and influential. Creedy hadn't planned it that way, but he was glad it worked out so neatly. He nodded politely to those he'd come here with and ignored those he didn't recognize.

Perhaps a second group passing through, he mused. Often groups would merge and split seamlessly according to convenience so new faces weren't unusual. Michael should've told him about them, though. Except for the core group of Quinn, himself, Jared, Irving and Michael, others came and went without incident generally, but it was always better to know these things.

"This is a large group," Rio said. To her, living alone, so many people in one place must've been shocking. He suspected only her composure kept her from full out anxiety. She had to be feeling like she was sitting in the bull's eye of a target.

"I didn't come here with all of them," Creedy explained. "A second group must've arrived after I left." He scanned the isles for Quinn's face but didn't see him.

"How long have you been away?" She sounded mildly surprised, but then he hadn't explained his reason for being out alone in the first place, or said how long he'd been gone. He didn't know how much to tell her, so he'd told her nothing.

"Three days." He spotted Quinn heading into the back of the building with a woman and turned abruptly. This time it was Rio who nearly ran into him. "Quinn's in the back," he said by way of apology. Creedy quickened his pace without thinking and was pleased when she kept up.

Then again, she has to be fast, he reminded himself. She's all alone out here. There is no second chance.

Quinn was in conversation with a middle-aged woman, maybe thirty or thirty-five, but he smiled when he saw Creedy and broke off.

"I was just starting to worry about you," he admonished. "You all right?"

"I'm fine," Creedy answered. "Got a little held up, that's all."

Quinn nodded. "And who is this?"

Rio had moved to stand beside him and Creedy gave her an encouraging smile. He knew Quinn could come across as intense sometimes and he didn't want her to feel unwelcome. "This is the reason I'm fine. Rona Moravi."

The look Quinn gave him said he'd have to explain that later, but to Rio he said, "Good to meet you." He offered her a smile that just managed to be warm, but the silence quickly turned a bit awkward. He knew Quinn wanted to speak with him privately, but he couldn't think of a polite way to ask Rio to scram. Thanks for saving me, get out? Creedy knew he wasn't the most gracious of men but even he thought that was uncalled for.

She solved the problem for both of them. "Not to be rude, but is there any food you could spare?"

"Yeah, there should be a stew going in what used to be the freezer section. Tell the scary looking guy I said you could have some. His name's Irving." Quinn's smile was much warmer this time. Grateful, most likely. When she'd gone he turned back to Creedy. "Did you find what you were looking for?"

"After a manner of speaking, yes. I didn't find any medicine, but Rona is a nurse." He watched Quinn carefully to gauge his reaction. God knew Quinn was protective and Creedy wasn't honestly sure he'd let Rio see Jared.

Quinn locked eyes with Creedy, his face hard. Into the long, tense silence, Quinn finally asked, "Do you trust her?"

"Yeah, I do." Quinn still looked unconvinced. It was obvious to Creedy Quinn was torn between mistrust and the chance to help his ward. In a much softer voice, Creedy went on, "She saved my life, Quinn." He looked away so his friend wouldn't be able to read the fear in his eyes. "I got cornered on my way back. Thought I was done for sure, and then out of nowhere she tackles me out of the way. I had no idea she was there until she knocked me down. Damnedest thing I ever saw, Quinn. She dragged me into an old service tunnel, even stayed up to make sure nothing got the jump on us." He watched Quinn absorb this, obviously weighing it against his own impression of her. "She didn't have to do any of it, but she did." More quietly he added, "She took a burn for me."

Quinn stared hard at him for another minute and finally nodded. "If you trust her."

She trusted me, Creedy thought.

Quinn turned back to the older woman who'd been waiting politely out of earshot. She was attractive in a plump sort of way with dark, curling hair and heavy breasts. Quinn said something to her in a low voice Creedy couldn't quite catch. The woman went into the front and left them alone. "Emily is with the other group we picked up yesterday. They were eight altogether. Three women, a boy, and four kids."

"Think they'll stay?"

Quinn shook his head. "Hard to tell but I don't think so." Quinn looked him over appraisingly. "What about Rona?"

Creedy felt like he was being asked something else, but he wasn't sure what the real question was. "You'd have to ask her. She lives on the edge of town now, but I don't think she's planning to stay in the area. She was telling me about this place. There's nothing left here, Quinn. I was the first person she'd seen in weeks." Creedy shook his head, the sense of apprehension growing in him. "We can't stay here with so many people. Too big a target."

"We haven't seen much activity."

"I had a lone dragon chase me down through rubble and then camp out on our hiding place for over twelve hours. Believe me when I say if you don't see them now it's because they don't want to spook the prey."Creedy rubbed his forehead. "I really think we need to leave, Quinn. It's why I want Rio to see Jared."

"Rio?"

"Sorry, Rona." Quinn still looked confused so Creedy shrugged. "Nickname or something. I didn't ask. But she can tell us how to move him so he doesn't get any worse."

"You told her about him?" There was no accusation in Quinn's tone.

"No."

"Well, then, that's probably the place to start."