"She's weird, I don't know it I trust her," Betty stared through one of the slots at Alice. They were on the move again and Alice was once again back on her bike. They had offered her a seat on the bus while someone drove it for her but she refused. It was almost like she was still on her solo mission and they were simply coming along for the ride. "She's too reserved."

They had planned out a route which would get them to their destination the fastest but that meant cutting across the country. No one knew what they would find once they moved into the inner most parts of the now unrecognisable continent.

"She has been like that for as long as I've known her, I think she finds it hard to let anyone in," Carlos supplied. He sat opposite Betty's and watched her watch Alice.

They travelled non-stop until nightfall was less than an hour away. As they set up for the night, K-Mart walked to Claire's side and waited for her to finish staring at Alice.

"What?" K-Mart asked in an exasperated voice.

"How does she know so much about us?" Claire asked finally looking away.

"You talking about how she knew about Chris?" K-Mart asked gently as she knew it was a sensitive topic. Claire nodded and without thinking strode in Alice's direction

Alice was sitting beside LJ, opposite Eddie and Mikey gazing silently into the flames of the campfire. Betty and Carlos were off at one side talking, beside what was a rundown garage and service station. As Claire approached Eddie acknowledged her appearance with a nod and slight wave of his hand.

"Claire don't," called K-Mart as she ran to growing group. Carlos and Betty moved in as they noted the slight dip in her voice, one that comes with only from fear. Alice turned from her position on the ground and watched Claire as she tower over her.

"How did you know about Chris?" Alice simply turned back to her original position; knees drawn in front of her, just enough so she could comfortable let her arms rest on them. Claire repeated the question despite the protests that were invoked by the first.

"Look I understand that you want to find your brother. I understand the guilt you are feeling but shouting at me won't help you find him," Alice replied gently after a long few minutes.

"The guilt I'm feeling…you have got no idea how bad I feel, you don't even know me," Claire whispered harshly down at the blonde.

"And you don't know me, but I do know what it feels like to have someone look to you for guidance and strength… yet you don't have the answers you wish you had… and then to let them down when they need you the most," Alice responded climbing to feet and in the process coming face to face with Claire. Alice didn't wait for a response simply walked over to the door of building across from her, pulled open the door and swung it shut behind her.

Carlos and LJ eyes connected and a wave of sadness enveloped both their hearts. After waiting a few minutes for the tension to past and for the sadness to settle within him, Carlos moved in the same direction Alice had.

Carlos found Alice sitting on an old wooden table in the middle of a small room. She looked so small and weak that he almost took a step back. Her shoulders sagged forward changing her usually confident posture to one of defeat.

"She didn't mean what she was saying, she is just anger because you struck a nerve," Carlos moved to stand in front of Alice, careful not to step on any of the broken glass. She watched him move out of the corner of her but made no other attempt at acknowledging his presents.

He gently placed his hand on her knee; "She'll come around and learn to trust you… like me and LJ do."

Alice was silent and the only sound was her deep breathing. "I don't think so, but that's fine I won't be here much longer anyway." Alice looked up at Carlos yet was not quite meeting his gaze. It was like she was looking just short of his face and over his shoulder, must people would not notice but he did.

At her words Carlos' body went stiffened, "What do you mean you won't be here much longer?" Alice eyes finally caught his and she stared at him hard. His voice sounded harsher than he had meant it but at that moment he did not care.

"I can't stay here," Was all she said, making a move to leave but Carlos grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him.

"What?" Carlos asked in a sad, soft voice.

Alice took a moment to look down at were his hands held her arms. His grip was strong but not enough to hurt, it simply emphasised his need for her to stay. She swung her head up and looked straight into his eyes.

"I can't stay because I put peoples lives at risk. Umbrella is looking for me and they will kill anyone who gets in their way…. Look what happened to Jill… and Angie… that was my fault," Alice saw the tears form in Carlos' eyes when she said Angie's name.

"It wasn't your fault, we were all to blame."

Alice shock her head, "It is my fault…. Everyone I come into contact with dies, first it was Rain, Kaplan and Matt, and then Jill and Angie. I don't want to have to have to add you to my list," she replied in a gentle voice.

It was only after she finished speaking that she realised how close they were. Carlos seemed to notice to but made no effort to move away. Alice moved her head to the side in a futile attempt to put space between them.

Carlos moved his hand her arm and it travelled up to cup her cheek and neck. He stroked her cheek as he turned her face in the direction of his. "No one is going to die, don't be afraid to let someone in," he whispered before closing the space between them. For a few moments Alice kissed him back with what were delicate feathery kisses, where her lips barely seemed to touch his.

Just as it seemed that she had completely lost herself in the kiss she brought her left hand up to his cheek and gently pushed him away. "I can't risk that… I am so sorry," she breathed quietly her forehead almost touching his. She then moved backwards eyes looking anywhere but at him before she turned and exited.

Carlos stood there trying to work out what had just happened, "Don't be."

Thanks to those who read or reviewed. let me know what you think. Until next time.