AN: So uh...hi? *cringe*

I HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE I SWEAR.
So, August kind of sucked. Most Augusts are just fine but this one was dumb. I got a cold that wouldn't go away for awhile and then as soon as I was better, I sprained my ankle and couldn't walk for a week and a half. It's still recovering - I can't really do stairs well yet but it's healing. I also accidentally managed to clip the side mirror of my car on the garage door rail when I was backing out. So...it's been just a black cloud month.

There was good news too - work has been more consistent (I got this job a few months ago) and I'm finally feeling like I fit in there.

Finally, I have a bit of a confession to make - big surprise, I like to write outside of OoC. ;) I actually have a trilogy in the works (fantasy, ya, f/f) with the first one published and available to buy and stuff. It's probably the biggest project I've ever done on my own and I spent a good deal of August getting the outline for the second book refined and ready so that I can start writing it. Don't worry, this isn't some plug to tell you to go buy my book (I give out the ebook to people that are nice to me anyway :P ) but I just wanted to be honest about why I haven't posted in a month. Maybe some fanfic authors will go for months or years without posting but I care deeply about OoC and I didn't want you guys to think I abandoned it.

RIGHT. So I'll shut up now and let you all read! Thank you so much for waiting and putting up with me as always.

"I've said it once, girl, and I'll say it again – no one is allowed entry unless the Sun King himself allows it."

I glared at the guard before me, not sure if I was more annoyed at the fact that he wouldn't let me into the palace or that his armor was so fucking shiny that the light reflecting off it just about blinded me to the point where I had to keep squinting at him. "Look, I've been here before. Sun King Avad knows me. I met him when I came here with Aloy. You do know Aloy, right?"

The guard growled. "I suppose you're going to tell me you know the Sun King's champion as well?"

Really? That's what they're calling her? She'll hate that. "Listen, you. I've been on the road for a long time, I've had a really shit month, and I'm getting really sick of people ruining my day."

He smirked. "Not my problem. Now turn around and go back to…" He looked at my clothing – a mismatched collection of Nora and Oseram garments – before shaking his head. "Wherever you came from."

Sighing, I turned and faced the bustling city of Meridian. It was midday – the sun beat down on the mesa and the heat radiating from the massive metal structures that lined the streets didn't help at all.

I was tired, hungry, and sore. I'd traveled all the way from GAIA Prime, stopping only when I needed to and accepting help wherever I could get it. Using my Focus, I had been able to navigate back to Nora territory, where this really nice family had taken pity on me and allowed me to stay with them for the night. They'd given me more suitable clothing the following day and so I continued, taking breaks in a few towns on the way before finally arriving in Meridian earlier in the morning. I'd decided to head to the palace first since I had no idea where Aloy or any of our friends were. Avad hadn't been especially helpful the last time we approached him for help, but I figured it was worth a try.

Fantastic. This was perfect – the clowns ruling Meridian were of no help, I had no way of contacting Aloy since she had severed any kind of link between Focuses when she took the Eclipse network down (shit, I didn't even know if she was all right let alone where she was), and it's not like I knew anyone else that could-

Wait. I was an idiot.

"Hey!" I practically shouted at the guard. He jumped a little and for a small (small) moment, I felt a little guilty. "Do you know where I can find Erend?"

The guard eyed me suspiciously before letting out an exasperated sigh. "And just why should I give out information on the whereabouts of the captain?"

This was getting annoying. I rolled up the thin sleeve on my left arm that covered my implants. I had gotten the sleeve just as a precaution since I didn't know how people might react when they saw them. I held out my arm toward the guard. His expression rapidly transitioned into one of surprise as he gaped at the glowing blue plates that had been woven into my arm.

"I have a bunch on my leg just like these," I explained. "I got them on the Bitter Climb a year ago."

The guard blinked several times before he seemed to find his voice. "You were there, then?"

I rolled down the sleeve. "Yeah. You?"

"I-I was ordered to remain here, but I knew several of the Vanguard who accompanied Aloy and…well, you I suppose."

Nodding, I decided to try again. "Aloy and I were separated – I haven't seen her in a month. Do you know where she is?"

His voiced softened. "No. I saw her pass through these gates to see the Sun King, but I did not speak to her."

She was here. She's okay. "You saw her? When?"

"She visited a few times, actually. The last I saw her was perhaps…three days ago?" He raised his eyebrows. "I can tell you that Captain Erend is usually seen having a drink just down that street – at the end of the marketplace," he offered, pointing just ahead and slightly to the right.

I grinned and took off running, shouting back at the bewildered guard. "Thank you! Seriously, thanks!"

The bar was easy enough to find, though I'm not sure if they even called it a "bar" anymore. Same purpose, right? I took a deep breath before pushing the heavy double doors open, revealing the dimly-lit establishment inside.

There was an awkward, dead silence that filled the room as the patrons – mostly members of the Vanguard – stared at me with momentary interest before returning to their drinks and conversations. I took a step forward, allowing the doors to slam shut behind me.

Where are you? I tried to stay calm as the beginnings of panic began to creep up. What if I couldn't find Erend, or worse, what if I did find him and he didn't know where Aloy was? What if something had happened to Aloy? What if-

No. I shook off the thought. She's fine. She has to be. Chill, Becks. I approached the bar where a very large Carja man was serving drinks to people. He saw me trying to get his attention and turned to face me.

"What can I get you?" His voice was rough, but not unfriendly. I think he just wanted me to order something so that he could get to the next customer. Not that I was an expert on customer service standards in the 31st century.

I cleared my throat. "Uh…actually, I was wondering if you'd seen Captain Erend today."

The bartender seemed a little annoyed when I didn't order anything, but gave a short nod anyway. "Back there." As though on cue, Erend's booming laugh sounded from the darkest corner of the room. A surge of hope within left a relieved grin on my face as I strode over to where Erend, along with a few other Vanguard, sat at a rickety wooden table that looked like it had seen better days. He looked exactly as I'd remembered him – shaved head, heavy armor, and a rather weird looking beard. He didn't see me at first as he was way too engrossed in the story he was telling his friends.

"…and Ersa, oh let me tell you – she wouldn't even look at me for days after that! Even after I-Becks?!" he exclaimed, standing up with such force that he bumped into the table, spilling over his drink and nearly his friends' drinks as well.

I wasted no time. "Erend, where's Aloy? I need to find her and we need to talk to the king and-,"

But Erend ignored me and threw his arms around me in a crushing hug. "You're alive! What happened to you?! Are you okay?"

Struggling to break free, I gasped, "I'm…fine! Erend…Erend, please – I can't breathe."

"Oops," he muttered and quickly released me. "Becks, what happened? Aloy said-,"

"Where is she?" I cut him off. "Is she all right?"

Erend place his hand on my shoulder. "Yeah, she's fine. She's been worried sick about you. Made the trip back to the Bitter Climb a few times but couldn't get into that place. What happened to you?"

I shook my head. "It's a long story and I'll explain everything later but you have to tell me where Aloy is."

He rubbed the back of his neck and led me away from the table and towards the door. "All right, calm down – she uh…she went up to the cliffs just north of the city. Those people that held you hostage – they've built something, Becks. We don't know what it is." When he saw my confused expression, he continued. "She should be back later today, though!"

Far Zenith. They've started. "Does the king know?"

"No. Aloy doesn't want to tell him yet. She tried to get him to help rescue you, but-,"

I waved my hand as we left the building. "Yeah, I think I can guess how that went." Ugh, it's fucking hot.

Erend sighed. "It's nothing personal, Becks. Sun King Avad is-,"

I stopped him. I wanted to get out of there and find Aloy as quickly as possible. "Doesn't matter. You said she'd be back later?"

Erend seemed concerned, but answered me anyway. "Yeah. Probably in the evening. She's staying at Olin's place." He reached for his belt and pulled a key from one of the pouches. "Here. I'm sure she'll be relieved to know you're okay." He cleared his throat. "You, ah…you are okay, right? They didn't hurt you or anything?"

I gave a small smile. I'd missed Erend. "Nothing that years of therapy can't fix."

"Huh?"

"Never mind. I'll see you later. Thanks, Erend," I said. Gripping the key, I set off in a brisk walk to Olin's old house, making my way through the crowded streets and dodging the various sellers who felt they needed to scream at me anyway in their failed attempts to get my attention.

I poked the fire a few times. Should keep it going for a bit longer. Once the sun had set, the temperature plummeted, leaving the house far too cold for my comfort. After traversing the Bitter Climb in shorts, I was so sick of cold weather. And hot weather. And really…everything.

Why was it that after all that shit Aloy and I had gone through together that something still managed to force us to live like the end of the world was upon us? Ted Faro, Jenna, Branwell, Far Zenith, that freaky Sobeck clone and that fake...reality – I was so fucking sick of all of it.

I walked upstairs and sat down on the bed. I glanced at my arm. Wasn't this enough? And really, I wanted nothing more than to just fall into Aloy's embrace and stay there forever. And then when forever was over, we could leave this place. This whole region. Just get away from all of it – all of them. Far Zenith could do whatever the hell they wanted and Aloy and I could just…stay away from it.

I let out a quiet but harsh laugh. Nice, Becks. Run away. Mom and Dad would be so proud.

The front door swung open. A rush of cool air filled the house, sending a chill down my spine. "Becks?!" The door slammed shut.

That voice.

I barely had time to stand up when she was already at the top of the stairs, panting. Her usual braids were a wild mess and a thin layer of dust and sand covered her face and arms. Her face was flushed – her cheeks a noticeable pink, making her eyes appear a vibrant green.

"You…Erend was telling the truth," was all she could get out. I made my way to her, my steps slow and heavy on the wood floor.

I raised an eyebrow. "Because he normally lies?"

Aloy held out her hands and I took them in mine. My heart ached when I saw the guilt, guilt that seemed to overwhelm her. I wanted to cry.

"Becks…I tried-," she started.

Hell, no. "S-shut up," was my choked reply before I grabbed the cloth collar of her armor and pulled her toward me, our mouths colliding in a messy kiss. In an instant, her arms were wrapped around my waist and she was kissing me so hard that her teeth were pressing into my lips and it actually kind of hurt. But I didn't care. I was with Aloy and she was alive and safe. I knew she had so many questions for me and I for her, but the moment she started tugging at my shirt fasteners and moving her lips toward my neck was the moment any fucks I had given about Far Zenith or my stay with them had gone out the window. They had taken a month from us – the least we could do was get one night back.

More AN: If your question/demand is what I think it is, then the answer is YES. Also, I won't take a month to post again. It won't be every day but I'm really wanting to shoot for weekly or a couple times a week.