I don't own Gears of War or its characters.

Be forewarned, there maybe scenes of violence, strong lingo, and other adult like themes.

Thanks nicole-envious (for all your help and suggestions), Devisaur,

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~A day at the Beach~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

-Move on Big boy-

Cleaning up the village had started as soon as Delta made sure there were no more of the stranded pirates lingering in the aftermath; like a viper in the long grasses. Marcus was off working with Dom and a few of the village men building up some fences for defense. As they hammered down on the large wooden poles in to the ground, Dom stood there holding the pole straight in the hole, shaking his head as he heard Marcus' tell a tale annoyed grunt. "I think Elaine is going to be a thorn in my side Dom."

Dom clapped his hands together after Marcus finished the pole, and headed for the freshly sawed planks of wood, "What is it you dislike so much about her? The fact she's fed us, put up with all of us," He chuckled and then corrected himself. "Okay she's put up with Baird. She fought with us instead of just walking away and saying screw you."

Marcus made the sound again as he helped Dom with the plank of wood. He was irritated by Elaine, all of Elaine; the way she acted, the way she was, her past; he couldn't put his finger on it, but she didn't like being in Marcus' presence either. In the time they had started working on helping the villagers pull the pieces back together she avoided him like he had rust lung.

Dom shrugged, hefting up the plank as Marcus did the same. Both pulling out a hammer and nail. Wham wham wham. They hammered up the plank. As they turned to get another one started, Dom stopped watching Elaine work on rebuilding one of the shanties, laughing and smiling with Bernie and Anya. "Or is it because technically she's a stranded woman fighting alongside us without taking the oath?" Dom looked back to Marcus who was just watching Dom. "What? Okay... so it's cause she said you look like your father; Fenix if it bothers you so much go call her on it."

Marcus looked over to the group as they scattered and went back to work. His lip curled, shaking his head and turned going back to work; Dom was right on all accounts. He didn't like Elaine because she wasn't a gear. Not so much because she was a stranded. Because she was too inviting to the others, but disregarded Fenix oddly, based on a man who had supposedly had died.

~~~/~~~

Baird looked up from where he and Cole were fixing the generators and market stalls, he was watching Elaine as well, the goggles over his eyes as the sun shone down. He held a screwdriver between his teeth. He his brow furrowed as he tried to figure out whose tree Elaine was barking up when Cole slapped him on the shoulders as he crouched down.

"You should take a picture there Damon."

Grumbling, Baird took the screwdriver and started tinkering with the generator, sliding back under the housing. Cole couldn't help but laugh as he hefted up one of the weathered crates to surround on of the booths. Looking over to see what exactly Damon was staring at; there was Elaine rebuilding a house. Shaking his head as he thought back to what Boomer lady had said... their hobbies borderlined obsession.

As the days light dwindled down to dusk, the village had a fence, their homes were mostly complete and the market was better than ever. The villagers were busy cooking a feast in celebration and in mourning. They had prepared areas for the males of the group to shower, dress in clean, and cooler clothes. The females they pampered, giving them dresses to wear.

"Uh... where's the legs?" Bernie wriggled the material in to place.

Anya laughed as she checked her figure out in the mirror then swept her blonde locks back. "You look fine Bernie. Actually I don't think you ever wore dresses."

Bernie muttered. "It will be the last time you see it too." Then knocked on the door of the room they used to change in. "El you okay in there?"

"Mm hmm..."

Anya's brow arched up as she turned waiting to see their new acquaintance to come out. "Well show us."

"No."

Bernie and Anya looked at each other; then Bernie tried the knob. "Elaine it can't be that bad. Come on out and show us."

"I am not coming out of here."

"Oh El c'mon, we probably could help fix the problem." Anya smiled and waited for a moment with no response. "El it can't be that bad."

"..."

Bernie leaned against the door, pressing her ear to the door as she heard the foot falls of El pacing back and forth, and swish of fabric. Knocking softly on the door. "Elaine would you let us in there?"

"..."

Anya frowned as Bernie left the house, going to find the key for the back room. Sitting down next to the door in a bent wire chair, her hands soothing out the skirt of her pale sky blue, spaghetti strapped dress. "What's so wrong with it?" Guessing it had to be the dress that cause Elaine such strife.

"It's a dress. And they took my boots."

Bernie came back with a hammer and chisel in hand; "El open the door."

"No."

Bernie shrugged moving with the same ease as if she was still in armour instead of the red and black dress with capped sleeves. She positioned herself at the hinges. "Okay El, it's like this either you come out or I will bust down the door and get you."

A minute passed by as the lock clicked, and the door creaked open. Elaine stood there in a typical tropical halter dress, her hands fisted the sides of the plum panels. Looking at them. "I'll wait for my clothes to dry."

Anya blinked as she stood there. "You look fine El." She nodded, smiling brightly.

Elaine looked at her then moved in to the light, her scarred back was visible. Her black hair cascaded against her shoulders in a ponytail. Frowning a bit as she looked down with the purple - ish green bruise and scars then looked up. "Do I have to do this?"

The both nodded, each on either side of her, grabbing her arm as they exited the small thatched house. "Yup, we have to do it; you have to suffer along with us."

Elaine groaned as she dragged her heels in the ground, then finally straightened herself. Walking behind them as they headed to the centre of the village where a large bonfire roared to life. A misshapen table lay out with various dishes on the one side while on the other some sat with their makeshift band started to play.

Relief, joy, happiness was catching. Marcus hadn't smiled, but his eyes hadn't noticed any one else but Anya as they walked around talking to each other. Cole was playing an impromptu game of thrash ball, and Baird sat on the fringes, eating and complaining.

"Seriously people there is other animals to eat here besides fish... I swear I eat any more fish I am going to turn in to one." Pausing for a moment he looked around,"I ain't going to get dysentery from eating this shit."

Bernie laughed as Elaine crouched near Baird, taking a piece fried fruit from his plate, "I wouldn't be worried about getting sick Baird." Her features lit up in amusement as she smirked. "Oh by any chance were you around when they did burial detail. Never know when you are eating a nice, juicy chunk of...ass"

Baird turned spitting out the food from his mouth. Bernie nearly choking on her drink. El grinned with a subtle shrug, stealing another piece of candied fruit as she stood up and walked away, heading back to the place she felt comfortable, and less the pariah. Collecting her cleaned clothes as she passed by. Drifting down the road, looking up the stars for a wistful moment.

She arrived back at the abandoned beach house, leaving the clothes on a pile as she saw a lone shadow on the sands. She walked up carefully, not sure if it would be another insurgence of pirates. She smiled for a moment seeing Dom there. 'I didn't even notice when he left. I wonder if the others did?' she thought as she sat down next to him, tucking the dress under her. She noted his hand moving to wipe his eyes like he was tired. She frowned and looked out to the waves; patting his shoulder.

"I thought you would be enjoying yourself with the others." He stated, his voice even held the twinged tones of sadness.

Elaine shrugged. "I don't do well in crowds that one day want to kill me on Monday then party with me on Wednesday. You?"

"I needed some quiet time away from everyone." He looked up with a strained face to the stars.

"I can leave if you want me too."

"No, I don't mind you." Dom gave a weak smile as he looked at her.

Elaine nodded, "Those who suffer tragedies often seek the company who have been afflicted by the same hands." Whispering softly as she hugged her knees to her chest.

Dom blinked and looked at her. He felt his face flush in anger then it faded away pondering what she said. Nodding with a heavy sigh. "Yeah something like that."

"Wanna talk about it?" She offered, but he shook his head softly, patting her shoulder as he got up and walked back to the house. She nodded watching him walk off then rose up herself. Moving closer to the cool water's edge and sitting down while her feet were washed in the surf.

Baird watched as Dom went back in to the house, 'Man that must be hard. Spend so many years trying to find your wife only to have it end in disaster.' Baird shook his head, running a hand in his wild looking blonde hair, walking mindlessly as he thought about the situation at hand when he spotted Elaine sitting on the beach, Baird stopped near the wild grasses. The warm breeze played at the length of her obsidian tresses. Throwing up his hands and glaring up at the sky. "Why me? Like c'mon; seriously give me a break." Sighing in defeat. His shoulders slumped a bit as he looked at the sands. Noticing a pink flower with long petals at his feet.

He bent down picking it carefully, and moved to sit next to Elaine. Pinning the flower behind her ear then looking out. Baird smirked a bit as she looked every bit of an islander except she was missing the same tattoos as Tai and Bernie. Elaine's features soften in surprise as her hand reached up, her slender fingers touched the flower softly.

"Don't breathe much in to it!"

Rolling her eyes, she looked back out to the darkness over the waves. The sea misting their faces. The smell of the waters and flowers rolled around. "How was your hunk of ass?" His smile vanished as glowered at her; shaking his head. Resting his arms on his knees. She couldn't help but laugh. She paddle her feet in the surf, causing little splashes as she did so. Stretching her arms out in front of her.

Baird looked up at her, his brow arched up. "Ha ha very funny. You're so clever." She shrugged and looked at him, she never really looked at Baird closely. Her hand covered her mouth for a moment then she bit on her thumb. Recomposing herself quickly then pushed herself up. Baird looked up the length of her. Flashing a lecherous smirk. "You look nice."

She put her hands on her hips as she watched him stand up. He had leaned in, just hovering over her hips as she whispered lowly. "You still have to fix the gen." Then turned walking away with a small laugh walking back to the house leaving Baird standing there in blinking for a moment, then stalked after her.

"What the hell is your problem? I gave you a compliment..."

Elaine rolled her eyes and stopped, keeping him at arm's length. Shaking her head. " Seriously... you think I am going to kiss you after you look nice." She shook her head and glowered at him.

"No, just..."

"Just what princess?"

"Will you stop calling me that?" Baird huffed out as he folded up his arms on his chest.

She let her arm fell as she mimicked his stance, "Are you going to stop acting like one?"

He blinked, shaking his head as he grumbled. "I don't act like a princess."

She stared him down. "You sulk, whine, bitch and moan all the time."

He took a deep breathe in. "All the time? Really? At least I'm not the locust freak." He paused as her eye narrowed on him like he was a bug to be squashed. "Shit, wait..."

She stepped in to his personal space. Her tone was laced with a calm like anger. "I maybe a locust freak, but at least I have come to terms with it." She unraveled her arms and laid at her sides, strained against a natural urge to her.

"Baird go fix the gen. El patrol now."

She turned on her heel to see Marcus standing there next to Anya. Her cheeks went red, embarrassed that she was caught. Not caught in arguing with Baird; but that she was close to going over the edge. Nodding as she tried not to let them see she was vibrating. Striding quickly away heading out on patrol. Baird stood there looking to them as he nervously ran a hand thru his hair.

~~~/~~~

Anya leaned against the gen as Baird shifted the light. Tools scattered around him as he looked up. "What do you want?" He said gruffly, going back to work.

She shrugged, her arms folded up. "You really need to learn how to communicate better Baird."

"Yah think!" He stopped. "Why don't you go harass someone else. Better?"

She shook her head, "We can't afford to piss off the locals, and that includes Elaine." She folded up her arms as she watched him fidget.

Sighing, Baird's board shoulders lifted then fell in defeat. "I wasn't trying to. If we are done here I need to get this fixed."

Anya blinked at Baird a bit shocked as she caught on. Nodding softly she pushed herself off. Walking back down to the camp. 'Poor kid, hes been on the defence for so long that he doesn't realize he's pushing her away. Too bad he wouldn't just stop and try to be civil about it. At least he likes her and isn't genuine animosity.'

~~~/~~~

Elaine went and shrugged off the dress, changing in to her armour. Fuming still as she found the snaps, and clips hard to connect together. Her hands shook as she bit hard on the inner meat of her lip. Pulling her hair up in a sloppy pony tail, she trudged on. Grabbing her staffs as she walked down past the fires. 'Calls me a locust freak. He's lucky his squad was there or I would have hit him.' She fumed livid as she didn't care if she was silent or not. Her eyes were peeled but she wasn't all that focused on paroling solely. There was so much to take in all at once. 'Bernie must of asked them to make me part of their club, though I have to admit I am thankful. I really don't want to feel so angry again. Not for that. Being called names. I've been called worse than that. Why is it this time it bugs me so much.'

Marcus marched up as she kept walking down the path thru the trees, the ground was still muddy from the rain, covering the sounds he would of otherwise made. His face was stern as he caught up to her. Pulling on her shoulder.

She jumped, pulling out her pistol; catching it underneath his jaw with the safety off. She blinked as the blue eyes stared at her, her mind still assessed him as a threat. Slowly she lowered her gun, turning the safety clip back on. "What?"

She turned started walking at a slower pace than before, Marcus fell alongside her. His lancer in his arms. "I need to know if we are all on the same team or if we are going to have a problem."

Elaine looked at him oddly, 'He looks like Adam, but certainly doesn't act like him. I still don't trust him. What is he looking at? Calculating what I can do? How much pain I can take? What?' She shook her head. "What is it you want to know Fenix? Because that's not the real reason you're here."

He looked at her oddly as she changed her tactics. He made an indignant sound before answering. "I want to know if you got our backs when it counts."

She shrugged some as she kept walking. 'You're pussy footing around the real question.' Her eyes scanned the shadows between the trees alongside the main road as they came to it. "Haven't I shown that already with the pirates?' She stopped, her hand resting on the boltok pistol as something caught her eye.

Marcus stopped as he put his hand on her shoulder, she didn't flinch but rather her muscles tightened. 'Is she expecting me to attack her?'He nodded with a strangled sound. "Yah you may have but you need to follow orders too. What you did in the market was ballsy at best. You're going to get killed if you go in without thinking it through first. And you're not a one man army Elaine. You need to let others help you out too."

Her hand brushed off his hand from her shoulder, the shadow was gone. She tried to restrain the chuckle as she started walking back again down the road. "Fenix... you realize that being part of your squad isn't like a picnic in the park for me. But ..." She stopped putting her hand on her hip and licked at her upper lip. "I'll try but the first sign you'll leave me high and dry. I wouldn't worry about locusts or stranded pirates, 'cause it will be my knife in your back."

He stood there and couldn't help but laugh shaking his head as they continued back to the camp. 'I'll give her that, she maybe a threat still at least she's up front and honest about it.' Then continued on with the patrol.

~~~/~~~

"Locust!" Someone shouted.

The village was up turned, and burning. Left over locust from one of the barges rushed all over. Tickers running around; getting closer to the masses. The tell a tale; "tick tick tick tick." hummed as people looked around. Then a large explosion, the smell of burnt flesh tinged the air.

"Bernie, get on point." Marcus clipped out.

Anya and Cole were hiding behind one of the shanties walls. Picking off the straggling locust. Ducking back when they shot back. Baird was off behind a burnt out car that lay just outside the village being used as part of the newly erected fence. "Got one." He shouted out. "So good should sell tickets." As he sniped another.

"Then I want a refund." Elaine shouted out.

Marcus and Dom were closest to the action. They waved one of the survivors back. Shooting the occasional round. "Seriously, I was beginning think when we would get some action again." Dom shouted out over the sounds of the fire fight.

Marcus nodded. Gruffed out. "Never gets old huh?"

"Boom!"

"Um did any one invite the Boomer to the party?" Baird shouted out. "Because I think he's crashing it right now." Within seconds before the wayward flying projectiles aimed his way. Splinters and torn leaves flying everywhere.

"Marcus I don't have visual. Where's the boomer?" Anya clipped over the comms.

They looked around, they were on one side of the village, too much debris, buildings and torment laid in their line of sight.

"Coming from the south by south west." Baird shifted in his position. "I count four escorts with him too. They don't look to happy."

As the gears fought to help the stranded; Elaine was dressed in her amour. Her boots thudded against the blood soaked ground, the belts of the locust made armor wrapped around her leg as she ran, her boltok pistol emptied quickly. Breathing hard as she reloaded it. "There's more than just one team. On your right you have ten coming in. A boomer, three maulers." She stuck her head out; counting quickly. Then ducked back as a barrage of bullets aimed at her.

"Are you sure?" Anya shouted just over the loud explosion.

"They got the civies pinned down." Bernie shouted.

Elaine's heart raced as she ducked down, running from where she hidden to the underbrush as the boomer sent an explosion her way. The firelight caught hersilhouette as she raced through an open area. The red lined gray armor hugging her every curve as if it were second skin. Her chest plate exposing her mid drift as slid. Hiding behind one of the outhouses.

"Fenix you aren't going to believe who that was. " Baird watched her move through the sniper scope.

"Let me guess… the made hermit?"

Bernie carefully moved to Baird's flank, making sure her rifle was working. "Are we having a tea party or are we going to put down some locust bastards?"

"Just saying... it's going to be harder to distinguish her from them."

Anya rolled over to the next closest cover; standing up as she peppered the cyclops. Cole roadie ran to the next line of cover. Taking out what grunts they could. Baird lined up another shot; almost taking out Elaine's shoulder.

She turned facing the direction the bullet started from. Her finger jammed in her ear. "Hey! Watch it, geez I am on your side. "She looked to her shoulder, shaking her head. He grazed it good. But she can tend to it after wards. She uncoupled her talons, interlocking them together. She grinned with grim satisfaction as the dual chain saws roaring to life. Her hands gripping the cold metal staff. Giving it a few revs, she started into motion. Climbing up and over the crumbled building pieces littering the landscape that was the village square. Her muddy boot print marring the corrugated steel as she pushed off.

"Cover her!" Marcus shouted as he stood up. Moving slowly forward as he emptied the lancers clip. Finding cover each time he went to reload.

Dom grumbled, "First pirates then locusts what next?" as he did the same. The two meeting up with Anya and Cole who were holding the market place down.

Anya tossed down her jammed lancer on the ground as she pulled the gnasher shot gun from its clip on her back. Pulling the lever down, cocking it as Anya aimed it at flame grenadier. She braced herself as the gun kicked back, the cone of buckshot spraying in to the locust's body. Her green eyes were dancing as she continued to pepper the area with buckshot.

Bernie smirked as she nodded, Anya was more than just a mouth piece. A spitting image of Helena. Rest her soul. Looking up to Baird. "Careful now Blondie; you have three gun totting woman to spot for. "

As Baird's blue eyes sighted down the scope. His fingers tingled at the thought of pulling the trigger again. "Look granny; just because you three suffer P.M.S. doesn't mean..." He paused. Picking off a mauler from Marcus' right. "we aren't going to be stupid enough to give you guns."

Moving up along the steel poles, Elaine made sure each step she took was stable. Elevating her height up as she held the staff behind her. The teeth ripping in to the broken boards. She could hear people trapped inside but her mind wasn't going to stop. They would be dead if the boomer gets another shot off; as would the four pinned down in the market. Hurrying her pace, she jumped to the roof tops. The buildings left standing were few and far between. She felt the burn in her lungs and legs.

'Too long from running in armor.' Her brained kicked out. 'Boomer on my left. Steady…steady…steady… it's now or never.' Her boots pushed off at the edge of the building, her staff angling back then snapped forward in an upward arc. The blades chewing in to the boomer's arm as she disconnected the staff. Pulling the half with her as she tucked, rolling out of the way.

There was a split second of silence after the flying chainsaw assault. The boomer screamed out as the halve tore all the way to its bone. Elaine stood up, swinging the other in hand in precise arcs, moving in feline grace behind the boomer. She stuck her second half in his back, keeping its feed as she used the handle to lift herself up. Grabbing the other one, her foot pressed into his back, her other on his shoulder. Pushing the barrel of her pistol into the socket of his eye. "Boom!"

She pulled the trigger as the boomer's brains splattered out on her. The body stopped and then crumpled under her. Falling forward as Elaine fell on the ground. Her lungs hurting, sweat caking dirt, blood, brainy bits, and her hair to her skin. Chills raced thru her body as twisted her body to push herself up, swallowing hard. She looked like an angel of death in amongst the fire as it claimed the village, the heat whipping around as Delta stood up.

"She slices, she dices…"Baird hopped down from his perch.

"And makes Julian fries?" Cole finished the statement laughing.

The stranded they were too tired, too hurt to stay and rebuild They were leaving. Elaine watched them closely as she nodded to the ones trapped in the house. The boomer lay dead behind her. Marcus nodded to Elaine as Delta started to work.

Elaine turned, moving back to collect her talons. Her boot pushed down on the ground as she tried to pull it out, Elaine grunted when Baird came up to helped her. Holding out the staff end to her. She grabbed it, both chain saws over her shoulder, dripping blood. Taking off the headset and dropping it in his hand.

Bernie shook her head as she helped the villagers with their injuries. Anya grabbing what ever supplies that were left behind. All of them shook up by the on slot of straggling locusts from the remaining pieces of the horde. 'How did they get all the way out here. Is it possible they drifted here?' Bernie thought solemnly.

~~~/~~~

The early morning light finally painted over the embers of the village; the fire burnt away the evidence of the night before and its attackers. Everyone in Delta suffered the same exhaustion and aching. Half slumped over against the wheel well of the dill, her hand rubbing her shoulder. Baird crouched down in front of her. Holding out the head set. "You're going to need it since you're coming with us."

She looked up at him, nodding wearily. Taking the set from his hand, yawning. "Thanks."

He nodded then sat down next to her as they watched Marcus and Anya trying to map out where they were going with Jack hovering behind him. The floating robot whirring and beeping. Elaine fought to keep her eyes open, straining to squint. Hitting Baird's thigh and pointed. "Please tell me that I am not seeing a dot floating around."

Baird chuckled and relaxed against her. "Yah it's there." He looked down at her as she rested her head back, her breathing slowed as she dozed off a bit. Smiling some as he watched her for a moment. "Good night El."

~~~/~~~

"Baird!" Marcus shouted his head hurt from all the smoke. "Baird, tell me you got the dill Working?"

Baird slammed down the hood, shaking his head. "It should turn over now, and that's Baird the mechanical genius." He tossed down the rag, seeing the devastation that surrounded them now.

Anya frowned as she bent down to pick up a discarded doll from the cinders. "How many do you think got out alive?"

Cole had fallen sullen and quiet as Bernie rounded up the way. "Not enough. We have to get going."

Dom was already nose in the map, compass in hand as he traced along the roads around them. "If this map is correct, there is another settlement further up the road, inland."

Marcus gritted his teeth as he looked around, Shaking his head. "Move out. We hopefully can get there before night fall. And get a hold of the brass there."

~~~/~~~

It wasn't hard to believe she could be like them, that she could fight along them without complications; but there was too many. She couldn't breathe though, her mind kept bringing her back to the Hollow. The constant pit fighting to survive; her blood lust to please. It was all the life she had known then. It was there, the unsated blood lust; lurking under her demeanour.

A hard swallow as she bore her teeth at her opponent, knife poised as she cross stepped to the right, her opponent to the left, the length of his arm jettison out, the mauler's blade catching her just where the armour didn't reach. The length of the crimson line reached from her lower back to navel. She didn't turn away fast enough but moved closer in as the dust started to kick up. Her knife hand, swung and brought down the knife on his arm. Blood gushed out in a flood as he howled. His arm hit the ground as she looked up at audience the attack drew. There standing with Maria was Adam Fenix, watching her like she was a lab rat then turned away as Elaine turned in a 360 degree circle the blade slicing off the head. She watched it roll on the ground before dropping the blade.

Elaine shuddered, her blue eyes were a flame, the dark circles and a thin line of red under her eyes reflected the exhaustion she felt. Her body wasn't use to the weight bearing down on her. It took minutes as she finally woke, able to realize she wasn't back in the hollow. Looking to Bernie then to Anya on the other side. She grabbed her head. "How long was I out?"

"A few hours."

She looked up to see Dom sitting inside the dill. She nodded rubbing her eyes. "Fucking nightmares." She sat back. "Where are we heading?" Her eyes drifted to the reflecting eyes watching her then shifted back to the road ahead.

Anya shifted as she handed her the map. "Hoffman says there is a base just after the next settlement. We are to go there. Supposedly there is some piers there."

Elaine's eyes followed the road. "You realize we might not get a warm reception."

Bernie laughed. "After last night's party I do believe a cold shoulder wouldn't hurt."

~~~/~~~

They reached as far as they were going to go. Night was already on them when they finally had a fire started. Bernie was preparing the rations they had. Marcus and Dom sat near each other, watching the darkness. Anya was sleeping inside the dill, the only comfort they could afford. As cramped as it was. Baird was tinkering with some armor near Cole when Elaine sat down. Arching a brow at Cole's writing something. "What you doing Cole?"

He looked up, "Writing to my mama."

She didn't press on as she noted that he was running out of unused paper. She got up, grabbing her backpack that held her rations. Rummaging in it, she pulled out a journal that she hadn't started writing in but carried around for the better of the last three years. Striding back to him. "Here. It doesn't do me any good."

Cole took it, thumbing thru the water logged paper. Nodding with a grin. "Thanks El. I really appreciate it."

She chuckled lightly. "You're welcome." She watched as Cole got up and went off to write alone. Her smile diminished slowly, everyone had a way of coping with the reality they were dealt, but she didn't. Her eyes fell to her hands as they clasped together, then brought them up to support her head while she was in deep thought.

Baird's arm rubbed against her calf as he finished tightening the armor. His eyes kept stealing glances at her before clearing his throat. "That was a nice thing you did for him."

She nodded as her hands snaked thru her hair, releasing it from the pony tail. "Scary huh?" He stopped looking at her perplexed. Then arched his brow. She laughed quietly out of nerves. "That I can be human once in a while instead of a locust freak."

"Look El... I'm ..."

She held up a hand and shook her head softly that her hair cascaded, framing her slender face. "Damon, look I've come to terms with it. It's part of what I am..."

Baird nodded, sitting back as he hefted up the armor for her. "Here... it should fit."

She looked a bit confused for a moment as she took it. "I have armor already."

He nodded with a slow smile, running his hand at the nape of his neck. "Yah well I thought since you are with us and all it might be easier to ..."

Elaine smiled and nodded. "I get it... I am hard to distinguish on the field I got it." She looked to the armor. She ran her fingers over the gear image. Bristling as she felt a bit conflicted of which armor to wear..

Baird watched as her face seemed strained. He put his hand on hers. "Elaine it's okay if you want to wear your armour I just thought."

She looked at his hand on hers, her cheeks painted themselves red trying to ignore the heated feeling as she looked to him. Then nodded softly again setting the armor down next to her. "Why are you being so nice all of a sudden?"

He shrugged, blushing a bit against his will. Trying to remain aloof and calm. "Just don't want to shoot at you again." Then they fell in to the silence as they looked around.