It was the third day of Rex's training regime, and the day that marked a week and a half since we left the Vault. Rex was kept still as much more of a prisoner than an ally, he was not allowed to walk anywhere on his own, even to the bathroom. All weapons he demonstrated and taught us about were unloaded, and he was kept pretty much isolated from the rest.

I found him to be remarkably out of the ordinary, though I am probably the only one who held conversation with him. The entire time, he seemed to know a lot about what was going on, and he never had questions. In the short span of three days I've managed to speak with him much, and never once did he phrase a simple question, yet I still felt I was giving him all the answers.

He explained many things to me, mainly about food and water sources, as apparently even the water bottles were not safe from a minor amount of radiation. So he taught me how to purify water with things as simple as glass pitchers, a pressure cooker, several tubes and a Radaway. With one kit of those we could create up to fifteen liters of fresh water at a time. Those things in the reservoir and Puffer's Pond, the crab-like mutations we were calling "Snappers" so far, were apparently named "Mirelurks" and were common throughout the region; apparently as far as food goes, they were mostly safe, having a very low amount of radiation in them, and they were very nourishing. We resolved to go on a hunting trip soon, to try and land us maybe one or two of them.

Buster had hardly shown any interest to the news of there being a new rabbit in the group, he had been choosing the loneliest guard spots and chores so far, and I felt he was slowly distancing himself from the rest of us. He did not even bother to come and meet the new joiners, or to join Rex's weapons training. Something was on his mind. His fights with Molly have also worsened, as she is in charge of security, she tries to keep a healthy rotation of the guards. I told her the other day that she had best resolve this issue he has with her before I get involved. I just couldn't ignore this anymore.

I probably need to stop using past tense all of the time when writing this, it gets confusing.

"Right," Rex said loudly, "Today's most important lesson." He said, taking his empty rifle and pulling back the loading handle, suddenly slipping in a single bullet and raising his weapon to face the sky, then firing it off towards the horizon. Molly gasped and moved to draw her pistol, but I held her hand. "Ammunition control; Slink, you've just been taken hostage by a hostile element, because you left your ammo scattered around." He said, quickly disarming the weapon.

"You saw it, with this one bullet, I could have killed any of you, or taken anyone hostage." Rex declared, "Never leave your ammo scattered around, keep it organized in a place you can control." As he moved on to the standard drills, practicing stance, positioning and aiming, Arthur stepped aside. He himself was no good with a rifle, he could barely aim properly, since he was right handed, but his aiming eye was his left.

Rex claimed that this was invaluable in use of small fire-arms such as pistols, as it helped him determine range and position better. However, in any two-handed weapon, holding the heavy rifle with his weak arm was not an advantage, and greatly affected his aiming, until such time where he could achieve an acceptable level of ambidexterity.

Arthur decided to stay with pistols for now, and though he practiced riflery by himself, he kept to the side when others practiced. This time, Molly joined him. "I was pretty sure I'd have to gun him down this time." She said, "Why does he insist on being unpredictable?"

"Because you don't trust him, it's his way of keeping you alert." Arthur replied, a smile playing on the corner of his mouth. "We've been improving though; I think we should take him with us to the hospital."

"You must be going cra… what the?" Molly started, apparently a fight was breaking out on the training field, one of the dog brothers accidentally hit Slink, causing a loud yell about between the two. She moved to interfere, but was held back by Arthur.

"Let's see Rex handle this." She stopped, then leaned back on the wall, nodding.

"What's this?" Rex asked standing next to the two, not between them. "Any good reason for disrupting this training session?" Molly could tell that the rabbit girl, Angelique was looking concernedly over at the three.

"That idiot hit me with his rifle." Slink said, "I told him to watch it."

"Ey, scallywag I don't answer to yeh." The canine responded equally, in what would be known as the dog brothers' famous undeterminable accent.

"So, what're you going to do, just stand about yelling like idiots? Go on, have a row." Rex said, Molly's ear twitched, did he just…?

Slink and the dog looked at him, "What?"

"Go on, a fight, loser must leave today's session and clean the lavatories for one week." Slink seemed unsure, but the dog was confident.

"I'm in, how's about ye, scallywag? Ye afraid of little ol' Jack?" Slink looked at him, eyes darting around at the others, then stopping on Molly, she gave him a nod.

"Right," Slink said, cracking his knuckles, "Time to teach the newcomer who's boss around these parts." He said.

"I wasn't meaning you'd fight against each other." Rex said, chuckling, "No, you both disrupted my session; you both get to fight me."

Now the two definitely looked unsure, but after another nod from Molly, and one from Angelique, they charged at the coyote, who swiftly deflected Slink's blow, tripping him to the ground and proceeding with a roundhouse to the dog's chest, sending the latter on his back.

"That was pretty easy." He commented, "Where did you learn how to fight? Girl's boarding school?"

Slink and Jack both growled and charged again, this time more carefully, however both blows were blocked, and Slink received a nasty elbow to the face, while Jack was tripped over as he tried to punch, falling flat on his face.

"Someone call the gardener, it looks like we have a face-plant." Rex taunted, Arthur chuckled at that, and when Molly looked he shrugged.

"What? It was funny."

"Okay time out!" Slink called, Rex shrugged. As Jack rose back to his feet, the tan rabbit laid out his plan. "We attack at once," he whispered, "He can't defend himself from both directions at the same time. The dog nodded, and they got into position, charging at once from opposite directions, a fatal mistake. Slink charged in, delivering a fierce punch, while Jack sent a furious straight kick. A simple deflection and sidestep threw Slink's punch straight into Jack's groin.

"Oops! Jack was hit instead of Rex!" James commented; while it was decided the children were going to start training at a later time, after they adjusted, they were still allowed to watch the others, so James, Emily, D.W. and Mei-Lin were sitting along with Marina and Sue Ellen, James was describing the fight to the blind rabbit.

Jack fell to the floor with a groan, "Argh, me krakens!"

As Rex turned to Slink to finish him off the tan rabbit quickly backed off, "I surrender, I surrender!" He called, retreating. "Ye lil' girl!" Horace, Jack's brother yelled at him.

"You want a round too?" Rex asked, shutting Horace up immediately.

Rex chuckled, "Good, anyone else wants to disrupt this training session?"

"Why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Sue Ellen asked, stepping forwards.

"A new challenger approaches!" James said enthusiastically, as Horace and Slink helped Jack back to his feet.

"The man's a beast," Jack groaned, Slink nodded, helping him up, "We'll get 'im yet, don't yeh doubt it scallywag.."

"Right, well if you don't mind me explaining a bit, for the edification of our friends here – observation is key. Pronounced leg muscles, stable stance, keeps herself balanced and leveled when she walks, instead of that usual sway females are famous for. I'd wager she's been practicing kicking disciplines, meaning that in unarmed combat, a short range sixty degree angle is best for approach. But that's just textbook stuff. When faced with a trained unarmed or melee weapon opponent, your best bet is to keep your distance and try to outmaneuver them." Rex explained shortly, "Find a rock, patch of dirt, or anything else you can throw at them for distraction." He bowed slightly to her as she stood in front of him, she bowed back gracefully.

Now Arthur was mildly concerned, he didn't know how this fight might end, with Sue-Ellen being as disturbed as she was. They took their battle stances and sized each other up. Others stood back to watch, Molly looked at Arthur, looking for direction, but he did not respond, fixated on the impending fight.

Sue Ellen struck first with a snap kick, blocked, Rex used the opening to try and slip a jab, but she elegantly swerved out of the way, delivering a backwards circle kick, which was deflected. Arthur was no expert, but it was obvious she was testing his reactions, trying to get a sense of his style. He was patient, yet springy, like a coiled viper, he would strike suddenly and return to the defensive just as swiftly. Sue Ellen on the other hand was more calculated, quickly determining the weakest defense and attempting to strike there. This precise offensive would do her well against less experienced fighters.

The fight flowed on like a gentle ballet, neither of them managing to score a hit past the others' defenses. Kicks, punches, swerves, feints, ducks, it was almost like watching the same motion continued through two people at the same time, it was breathtaking.

Slowly it began building up speed, and ferocity, as both began to push harder, each wanting to land a hit. Rex landed one first, a straight gut punch, causing female cat to double over, then retreat slightly. Something was odd about her expression though, Arthur couldn't place his finger on it.

She feinted another kick, and moved in with a punch, scraping Rex's shoulder, and receiving an equally ferocious kick to her side, nearly sending her tumbling. She took it like a man though, and carried on, managing a few small hits at Rex before being elbowed in the face. A trickle of blood went down from her nose.

"Okay, I think that's enou…" Rex started, but before he could finish she charged again, but this time, the look in his eyes changed, she was no longer a challenge, she was now a threat. Stone cold, he quickly diverted her assault and kneed her back painfully, dropping her to her knees so that he was kneeling on her heels with one leg, the other on the ground at a ninety degree angle for balance. He had her head pulled back and held firmly in place by his arm, while the other grasped at her scalp. Everyone looked at Arthur, who himself was not sure what Rex was going to do.

Rex, surprising even Arthur, only whispered something silently to her, while looking still into her eyes. For a moment, it seemed kind of strangely romantic, as though he was about to kiss her. She nodded and he ruffled her hair a bit, before letting her go and standing up.

"Right, lesson's over, adults, tomorrow evening's unarmed training, kids, you go to Sue-Ellen for that in the morning." He announced. Sue Ellen simply walked off silently, a pondering look on her face. The rest scattered while muttering aloud about what they had just seen.

Arthur and Molly were both relieved, he was ashamed to admit it, but even with his trust in Rex, the aardvark really thought the coyote might snap Sue Ellen's neck that time. His reaction was entirely different from the battle before, it was faster than thought or instinct; he only prayed he'd never have to look into those cold eyes as an enemy.

Molly clicked her tongue, Buster was absent again, she had hoped he'd arrive by the end of the lesson, but he didn't. She considered the situation with Rex and Sue-Ellen defused, and went off to find the heavily muscled rabbit, it was time she talked with him seriously.

"Quite a show you put up there Romeo; thought you'd be going for a French for sure." Arthur commented at Rex.

"She's a cute girl, but no." The coyote replied simply, not showing the least bit sign of being amused.

"What did you say to her?" The aardvark asked, but the coyote shook his head.

"Nothing that is relevant to this conversation." In other words, what he said was meant for her ears alone.

The two were silent for several moments, the sun was partially hidden by a cloud, and sunlight danced on the once beautiful streets of Elwood City.

"It was lucky that the bombs were aimed at Crown City, and not here." Arthur said, "We can still save the city, in time." Rex was silent.

"We'll be going to sweep the hospital tomorrow, any tips?" The Aardvark asked finally.

"Yes, take me with you." The coyote said, his tone completely normal and idle, as though he was suggesting an umbrella against the rain. Arthur was about to say that it might be a problem when suddenly Helen hurried out.

"Arthur, your friends are causing quite a ruckus downstairs, they look like they might fight soon." She informed.

Arthur and Rex looked at each other before quickly following the sheep down, where Molly and Buster were screaming at each other full force, Brain attempting to calm the two down futilely.

"What the hell is your problem meat-bag?" Molly shouted at him, "Every single time I talk, walk, or even breathe next to you, you give me attitude. I'm not going to put up with that much longer!"

"What's going on…?" Arthur started, but was cut off by Buster.

"You really want to know my problem Molly? My problem is that unlike everyone else in the vault, I never, ever, forgot about George."

"Buster!" Brain called, he had crossed the line.

Molly silenced. The female rabbit was visibly shaking with emotion and Arthur was worried she might actually punch Buster.

"You know what Buster? Go to hell!" She yelled, storming off, Arthur caught a glimpse of her hand moving to wipe her eyes right before she left through the fire escape.

"That's it," Arthur said to Rex, as Buster stormed off in the other direction. "They've gone too far."

"I knew a George once," Rex said calmly, "Probably has nothing to do with this case though."

"George was one of our friends, back when we were kids…" Arthur said, "Molly used to be kind of a bully back then. She was nice sometimes, but they would pick on George all the time, he was their favorite past-time. Until one day, well, she probably just pushed him too far, because he ran away from home. His parents were out all over town to look for him." Arthur said, Rex looked at him silently.

"That was the day the bombs fell." He ventured his assumption.

"Neither George nor any member of his family made it into the Vault before it was sealed. Even though a lot of people didn't make it in time, Molly's been blaming herself for it ever since."

"Brain!" The aardvark yelled at the bear, "Get those two idiots in my office, now." Brain seemed a bit concerned, before deciding to go after Buster first.

"Helen, take Rex to his room." Arthur ordered the sheep, who gave a small, surprised hiccough and tried to comment. Arthur however left the two standing there, walking decidedly to his office.

"Before you think anything about leaving a wolf with a sheep, I'll have you know I'm actually a coyote." Rex said casually, causing Helen to chuckle nervously.

"Yeah, can I help you?" Buster asked as Brain approached, "Or are you here to tell me what a jerk I am, huh?" The rabbit asked, clenching his fist. He was inside the side corridors the cleaning crew would use when the mall was active.

"Uh, actually Buster, Arthur asked me to call you to his office." The bear responded, and Buster growled, "Can't you people leave me alone?" He called out, and bumped harshly into brain as he walked past him, knocking the much smaller bear to the floor.

Brain was in no shape to fight Buster, and he didn't think it would be wise to do so in Buster's current state anyway, so he simply went after Molly, though he was dreading speaking to her much more.

This was not good, obviously Buster was facing a serious fall, and Brain felt helpless to do anything. If Buster wouldn't talk to anyone, there was nothing anyone could do, and even though Brain was pretty headstrong, he knew that trying to interfere might cause much more damage than good. Though he rarely admitted it even to himself, Buster was one of his best friends, and seeing him like this was terrible.

He found Molly a short while later, sitting on the roof, in Buster's usual spot, on the single, wobbly chair they had placed there for the sentry. He noticed Angelique was still on the roof, he hadn't seen her inside; she must've stayed up there the entire time, as she was napping against the solar boiler, enjoying the gentle noon breeze.

"Hey, Macdonald," Brain said softly, Molly didn't look at him; she was staring off into the distance. The bear's heartstrings pulled when he noticed the sun glistening off several tears on her cheeks.

"It's not fair Brain, I do miss George…" She said, "I didn't mean to do it…" Her voice was low and raspy, as she was fighting against choking tears. "I tried to go out and look for him, but my dad pulled me to the vault."

Brain patted her on the back, "No one blames you for it, Molly." The rabbit, though touched that Brain used her first name, a rare treat, was thoroughly unconvinced.

"Not a big relief having just been blamed for it, you know." She said with much frustration.

"Buster's just projecting his stress on you, focusing it on that stupid detail. Obviously what happened in the Vault, and since has caused him, like all of us, some mental instability."

Molly curled up, hugging her knees to her chest, the chair she was sitting about creaking ominously. "My dad went back to drinking." She said.

"That's a pretty anachronistic comment." Brain commented, a bit tactlessly.

"The night before what happened with George," Molly clarified, "He got home drunk, slapped the hell out of my mom, I was so sure she would be his second divorcee. I couldn't stop crying all night."

Brain was very uncomfortable, he wasn't the best when it came to social challenges, and he never heard someone spill their heart out this way.

"I just took it out on him…"

"Arthur wanted me to get you to his office." The bear interrupted, and wordlessly his rabbit friend stood. He knew right then that he had made a mistake, his discomfort made him act selfishly, when all Molly needed was an ear.

"I hope he's not mad." She said just as she closed the roof door behind her, leaving Brain as the sentry for now. The bear sat down on the chair and balanced himself as the chair seemed to wobble backwards, she must have bent it when she put her weight on its already weary frame. He looked into the horizon and knew he probably would never hear the end of the story Molly needed to tell so bad.

"Ugh, they never let up! How am I supposed to do all of this homework by tomorrow!" Buster asked, throwing his hands in the air theatrically.

"I finished those in recess." Brain commented, they were just leaving school and were hanging in front of the bike parking out front, everything around them was alive, moving, people, friends.

"Eh." Buster shrugged, "I just want some time to finish that puzzle I've been working on."

"Since when do you do puzzles?" Arthur asked, having heard about this for the first time.

"I started doing that when there were those black-outs." The rabbit replied, Sue-Ellen, also with them, gave a nod of understanding. During the first months of that year, there were many black outs throughout Elwood City, caused by some government Facility built near the power plant, where the old military base was.

"My dad said they were building another Vault there, too." Sue-Ellen said, "He's been there a few times."

Arthur was about to ask something, when suddenly someone knocked into him, dropping him to the ground, and then speeding off, it was George.

"No George, wait! I didn't mean…" They heard shortly after, as a breathless Molly appeared, a large bruise on her face.

Buster, helping Arthur up, immediately asked, "What did you do, Molly?" not without a certain measure of aggressiveness.

Molly didn't answer, she just went off after George.

"She looks a mess." Brain commented, "Do you think George did that?"

"Yo, Brainiac is it?" A voice startled Alan, causing him to collapse backwards, finally putting the wobbly chair out of its misery.

"Oops, sorry, you alright?" Angelique asked, helping him up, "You dozed off."

Brain stuttered something incomprehensibly, Angelique tilted her head with puzzlement. "Yeah… You want me to take over for a bit?"

Brain nodded, feeling fortunate that he was only asleep for several minutes.

"You called?" Buster asked, entering heavily through the doors, late even though he was the first of the two told about the summons. When he saw Molly sitting there, he huffed angrily and stood at the far end of the room.

"I've made a decision, neither of you are coming with me to the hospital tomorrow." Arthur said calmly.

"What?" Molly asked, while Buster just huffed again.

"I'm taking Rex, Horace and Brain instead." At this point both rabbits were now standing, Molly angrily slamming her hands on the table and leaning forwards.

"What?" They both asked, outraged, and then both started yelling at him incomprehensibly.

"Shut up." Arthur said, he didn't raise his voice, but somehow, both rabbits were silenced.

"You can't take Rex with you! He'll kill you the first chance he gets!" Molly said through gritted teeth.

"Sorry, but right now, I feel I can trust him more than you two. You might end up shooting each other right then and there. So until you two kiss and make up, you're off active duty."

Buster stepped forwards, and both he and Molly started yelling again. Arthur stared at them flatly for several moments, indicating he wasn't listening, but when they didn't seem to get the hint, he stood.

"I'm glad we had this talk. Have a good day tomorrow, I've got to get prepped." He concluded coldly and left them both there.

Molly caught Buster's eye and they exchanged concerned glances, before going their separate ways.

To Be Continued…