Gavin, of course, was the first one to spot Homer. He dropped his school bag right in the middle of the hallway and rushed over to him. The others soon followed. I think Pang may have been the only one who really knew Homer, the rest, not so much.

"This is Homer, my best friend." I introduced him to them. They took a liking to Homer just like Gavin had. "He's mine too!" Came Gavin's voice from the swarm of kids. "Yes Gavin." Homer and I both replied in unison. Homer gave a small smile. I knew deep down that Homer favoured Gavin out of the rest. They were both troublemakers, I'll say that for them, but Gavin really did look up to Homer. I decided to speak up before they got too comfortable.

"Alright you lot. Go and do your home work." I ordered. Gavin's face turned to a frown.

"It can wait till later." Gavin replied. I raised an eyebrow at Homer and he knew he had to say something.

"No, Ellie's right. We can have fun later." He said sadly. They all departed, Gavin the most upset and walked into their rooms. When they were gone, I asked Homer to give me full details on the mission.

"Well, we're meeting Bronte at the old factory just by that warehouse on Church Street and then we're going in her car to the suspected place that we think these guys are hiding." He explained.

"Who's we?"

"Well, Bronte, Jess, Lee, Jeremy and myself. Why?" he answered.

"Just curious. I don't want Gavin going."

"I wasn't going to take him. You know he'll wanna go considering both me and Lee are going. We don't want a repeat of last time."

I thought back to the time they went over the other side of the border and Gavin followed them. I swear my heart almost stopped.

"Oh and one more thing I thought you might be happy to know."

"What?" I asked back.

"Fi's coming."

I covered my mouth in pure excitement. Fi! Fi! I was going to see Fi! After I calmed down and I had gotten over the shock I asked him why. Homer just said that she wanted to see me and Gavin and Lee and Homer again, although I had a feeling he added his own name just to feel special.

"When will she be here?" I asked excitedly.

"Soon. I'm picking her up on the way back from picking Lee up." He answered. Homer could see the thrill and excitement when I spoke. Who could blame me? Apart from Gavin, she was the most important person in the world to me. I loved her like she was my sister.

"How long is she staying?"

"For the weekend. Her parents are out of town, so she's technically sneaking out. She said she didn't care and that it was an opportunity." He said.

In just under an hour I would get to see her. Wasn't so bad. Beats waiting a week.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I shouted.

"She asked me to keep it a secret!" he bellowed back.

"Alright, alright. I forgive you." I compromised. That was just like Fi. "I didn't know you kept in contact with her." I continued.

"Of course I do. We may not be close like we used to, but we're still friends." He answered.

I looked up at the clock. It was 3:48. Just a bit more than an hour.

I wondered if Lee knew and didn't tell me. Fi probably told him to keep it quiet as well. It was a nice surprise and an even greater one if himself and Fi turned up at my doorstep. Now that would be something. Never mind…

"Do you wanna a cuppa?" I asked, pointing to the jug.

"Sure, why not." He replied.

I stood from the kitchen table and wandered over. I could hear his heavy footsteps right behind me. I put more water in it and then flicked it on.

"Guess I'm stuck with the kids, huh?"

"Guess so. I suppose you wouldn't wanna come with us?" he asked.

I mulled it over for a few seconds. It would be nice to get out and also to spend time with three of the most important people in my life. The whole reason I moved here was to keep Gavin and myself safe and if I went, it would just be like the war all over again.

"No thanks. I left that behind when we moved here…" I stopped talking when I saw Homer staring out the window. Before I knew it, the window shattered millimetres from where I was standing.

Instinct overtook me; adrenaline pumping through my veins. In sync, both Homer and I ducked. I hadn't seen the enemy, but I knew at once that he was there. My mind soon jumped to the kids. They were sure to have heard the shot, including Gavin.

Before I knew what I was doing, I sprinted out of the kitchen and was in the hallway in a low crouch. I tried to concentrate on just reaching that room. Off I went again and this time heading for the girls' room. I knew Gavin would take care of Phillip and Paul, so my priority was to make sure the girls were all right.

When I flung the door open, they were both cowering under their desk, each comforting the other. They caught me in a death grip and I pried them away at arms length.

"Are both of you ok?" I asked urgently. I knew it was only a matter of seconds before the soldiers would enter the apartment. I couldn't think of what to do. Where could we go? I took both girls by the hand and tugged them out the room. I decided that the best place was for us to get to another apartment, but then I thought it through and decided it would put them in danger. We were on our own.

AN:~ Thank you for reading! I don't like to nag, but a little reveiw won't go a miss. It would mean a lot and would get you guys a chapter sooner. Thanks! :)

~GFDH1192~