Disclaimer: Gears of War (c) Epic Games, Microsoft and Cliff Belszinski (I think)

Marcus picked up the tags and studied them. Hoffman took off his hat and rubbed his scalp. Lizzy sighed impatiently and searched the desk for booze. She took a swig of Hoffman's ancient scotch. The bottle slammed on the table; Hoffman took a long drink from it.

"Padrick Salton," Marcus said as Hoffman said "your father."

"No fucking way," Marcus mused.

"Where is he? Why did she have his tags?" Lizzy demanded.

"I don't know. After the Hammer deployed, he disappeared. Maybe he sought out Margaret before she made it through the road blocks."

"Who knew about me? Like... Really knew?"

"Helena, Adam Fenix and myself. Originally. I told Margaret everything when you came to live with us."

"Dad never really said anything. He just told me we were having a guest," Marcus mumbled.

"I have another probably important question too," Lizzy sighed. She rolled up her sleeve. Numerous Islander-esque tattoos covered her arm. "What the hell do these mean?"

"They're tattoos. Look like the ones Bernie has, or Tai had."

"Or the ones on Pad's face," Hoffman added. He took another drink. "We don't know who your mother is, or where she was from. Pad came to Helena and I one night with a telegram saying he had a daughter. I gave him leave to visit; I'd always assume you were an Islander like him. When you were about two, Helena found you in Shavad."

"True, there were other kids, but Pad recognized you. From the pictures he had. Shit, he was just a kid then. Could barely take care of himself... Helena just had Anya not too long before, but she thought she could take care of you too... After a few years, you bounced between her, myself and Fenix."

"Then I found a more permanent location to live, and I went to Olafson Intermediate School with Marcus," Lizzy finished.

"Get cleaned up, you look like hell," Hoffman said, trying to smile. "Marcus, take her to the showers. I'll send Anya shortly with clothes."

"Alright. Let's go," Marcus grabbed Lizzy's arm and led her out.

"Shit, she looks familiar," Dom sighed.

"Who is she?" Bernie asked.

"I don't know. Probably a friend of Marcus and Carlos'... She called me Carlos," he mumbled.

Dom still couldn't place her. Bernie placed a comforting arm around him. Cole and Baird looked over at them. Cole shook his head sadly as he dealt another hand. He looked up at Baird, smiling.

"What? Why do you keep lookin' at me Cole?" Baird snapped.

"You did something nice for that girl," Cole smiled.

"... She got pistol whipped. If she wasn't being held, I would've left her alone," Baird snorted.

"So you saved a helpless girl."

"... Shut up," Baird mumbled.

"Oooh! Baby, you have a little crush!" Cole laughed.

"Don't bother," Marcus said, appearing out of no where.

"What?" Baird glared at him. Marcus had no business telling him what, or who for that matter, he could do.

"I said don't bother."

"Why the fuck not?" Baird rose to look Marcus in the eyes.

"Because she's got a lot of shit going on right now."

"Marcus," Dom interrupted, "Who is she? She called me Carlos. Do I really look like him?"

"No, sweetie, you don't," Bernie said softly.

Marcus just shrugged; he wasn't one for words. Dom studied his friend's face, searching desperately for an answer he so needed. The woman looked like Maria from afar, but she called him Carlos. She knew Carlos; she lived with Marcus. She knew Hoffman, and Lizzy called him "Victor". Not many people their age could call him that. She was aura of mystery to Dom, and probably to the rest of Delta. Except Marcus of course. He'd have to talk to the mystery woman himself.