Okay, hopefully this chapter will answer some fan questions, as well as deal with some peoples' *cough* hardcorecartoonmaniac *cough* "criticisms" with my story. Enjoy! (hint 9x7!)

CHAPTER 7: LONG WALKS, LONG TALKS

The stitches had set out for their new destination late in the day, and so they hadn't gone far before darkness started creeping across the emptiness. The entire time all 9 could hear was his own breathing and the low squeak of the wagon wheels. So many thoughts had flooded 9's head these past few days, but now his mind seemed to be as empty as the world around him. Once they had reached a sensible location by a few destroyed cars the group decided to rest for the night. 9 and 7 set up camp, and the twins were soon asleep. 7 had offered to keep watch, but 9 stayed awake with her. Part of this decision was that 7 was still sore from her injury, another part just wanted to talk. They sat next to each other, staring at the moon and the stars.

"Nights like these are so beautifull," 9 said, "they remind me that machines can't really destroy everything we hold dear to us."

7 turned her head towards 9. After a few moments she said,

"But some things we have to fight for."

9's optics met hers.

"I er- we almost lost you today 7."

"I know, but you were there to save me." She smiled. "Those flashes have been really helpfull. We wouldn't have gotten anywhere without them."

9's face sagged at this.

"I still don't understand."

"What 9? What don't you understand?"

9 cupped his face in his hands, then looked back up at the sky.

"Why me 7? Why am I so different? How come I'm the only one who can save us? Why do I have all these images in my damn head!" He pounded his fists against his head as he said this.

7's face was one of complete compassion.

"You read the paper 9, it's your life pupose. At first I thought that 'defending us' meant I had to keep the others from harm. But now I know differently." She placed a hand on his cheek, "I'm supposed to defend you 9, you're not fufilling a prophecy, you are the prophecy!"

9 looked back at her when she said this, knowing she wasn't finished.

"Here's what I believe 9." she said, "We all have our own gifts and weaknesses that make us who we are. But we posses those gifts for a reason: and that reason is to fufill our purpose. For in life 9, there is purpose."

"So those flashes...Those are my gift?"

She pulled her hand from his face and placed it on his hand.

"No, I don't think thats it. It's the way that you care for others, and always strive to do the right thing. That's your gift 9, don't ever forget it."

She took her hand away.

"Now go get some sleep! We gotta move in the morning."

As 9 walked over to the bed and lied down 7 looked back to the sky. She wasn't going to tell him that it happened to her too, when she had touched his face. She didn't know exactly what he saw when he flashed, but her image had been clear, and she wouldn't tell him what she had seen. She wouldn't tell him about how she had seen them together, in a loving embrace.

At least, not yet.