Amber had a headache. It had been a week since the eventful wedding festivities, now it was time to get back to more pressing matters; matters that simply gave her a headache. She loosened the knots in her head letting them flow down in rivulets about her head like she had when she first arrived at the mall in what seemed like a century ago.

Things had been much simpler then. The only person she really had to care about was herself. But she cared too much; her heart too big not to share with others. Now everybody looked to her for leadership. Had she asked for this?

All she ever wanted was for things to be in order. To have a sense of order in the chaotic world that was the aftermath of the virus.

"Boy that was hectic out there!" Trader came into their room throwing his self on the bed beside her, "Were things at the mall always that tense?"

She relaxed, abandoning her sitting position to lie beside him, "Yes, every tribe meeting and every tribal gathering. We always just agreed to disagree."

Trader pulled her close to him, "If you want to go to Techno Island or one of their sister cities, I won't protest. Some valid points were made during the meeting tonight. There are limited resources here, and what happens when another massive storm flows through here?"

"I've already decided we're going. The kids need the schooling and we need medicine and other resources. We aren't island people. I just wish everyone wasn't riding on my decision. We're a tribe, but we're individuals. Just because I say jump, doesn't mean they have to."

"You've all forged lifelong relationships. You're a family, even Ebony. Maybe everyone is just afraid the family will be split up."

She sighed, "That's what I'm afraid of."

He heard the double meaning in the sentence. He propped himself up on an elbow, peering into her eyes, "Amber, I've ignored this for days, but I have to ask. Did Bray threaten you or something?"

"No, it's not that. Things just got a whole lot more complicated."

"I don't follow."

"Bray junior loves his father…a lot of my decision rides on the fact that I know I need to keep them together, but now there's Salene, she's pregnant with his child."

Suddenly Trader understood. Amber probably felt like she had the world on her shoulders. She not only had to worry about the tribe and what would become of it, but Bray junior and his mental health. Separation from his father could cause all sorts of problems for the yearling. He could, like Trader did, grow to distrust others and hate his father or all father figures.

He relaxed against his pillow once more, allowing Amber to snuggle into him.

"Don't worry, if faced with such a decision Salene is outnumbered four to two."

Amber said nothing in response. She too had thought about that. Surely Bray would pick her and Trudy and their kids, but there was a very big what if hanging in the balance.

What if Bray was still in search of redemption? What if he tried to make right with Salene what had gone wrong when he was kidnapped during the birthing of Bray Junior? What if he wanted to be there for his new baby where he couldn't be there with Bray Junior?

If Salene decided to stay on Fleur Isle, would Bray stay or go?

~0~

The news hit her like a knife in the heart; like a wave crashing over her head dragging her down into the abyss of despair; Jay, he was really going; He was really leaving her.

Ruby tried to shake off the shock of his statement as he stood there, that damn red Techno T a bull's eye upon his forehead; that should've been her first clue he was giving up on them, but she was naïve.

He was awaiting a response from her, but she didn't know what to say. This was so unlike her to be wrapped up in a man. She was better than that; much stronger than that. Yet Jay had touched her in a way no other man had ever before. He was more than just a lover, he was a friend. He listened when she talked and most importantly he was there for her in her depression after Ebony almost killed her; after Ruby discovered there was no baby growing inside her.

She peered in his eyes, those honest eyes that gave away the truth even when you didn't want to see. She fought to keep her face impartial, void of emotion. "I'm not your keeper Jay. I could care less whether you come and go."

It was a lie. Even if they had agreed to take a break just a week earlier, the emotion was still there. The silent flirting aboard Trader's boat; the many nights they stayed up chatting, holding each other's hands before the slightest sound jolted them apart in fear of being caught; the passionate days they'd spend on Fleur Isle, it was all still there. She couldn't just turn her feelings off in a week's time.

He looked hurt as she said it; that she could care less. It made her smile inside. He should feel something; feel a small dosage of the pain he'd been dishing her for months now.

"Don't be like that Rubes…"

"Like what Jay? You've made it clear that I'm just another girl, another notch in your belt. Why should I care that you're going to play savior to a city who should hate you? It was your tribe after all that brought mayhem upon it, wasn't it?"

"Is that what you think?" he asked incredulously, his face deeply displaying confusion and hurt now. He moved closer to her, "You are not just some girl to me Ruby…I love you, I just…"

"It's just I'm not a manipulative, lying, homicidal, conniving bitch so you can't love me."

He backed away, sighing deeply. He was half in shock, half angry. He was so handsome when he was upset. It made her sick to her stomach to look at him now.

He was turning to leave, but stopped, "I never lead you on. We had something real and I mean it when I say I love you, you're one of my best friend's, but you deserve happiness Ruby. You deserve true love; somebody much better than I who is going to love you with his whole heart. I'm sorry that guy can't be me, I hope someday you'll find it in your heart to forgive me."

It was her back turned now. She heard him sigh a last time, waiting on her to say something. But she stood silently. She heard him leave. The door clicking gently shut. She had to count down from ten in her head to fight the urge to run after him and make a total fool of herself.

She used to be a strong, independent woman. She had survived the virus picking off the people she loved one by one. She was a successful business owner and she hadn't needed a man to get her there, just like she didn't need one now.

"This too shall pass," she heard her mother's voice all too clear in her head.

This heartbreak was just another unseen bump in the road. She would change her tires and life would go on because Jay was right; she deserved better.

~0~

Bray watched his son and Brady play on the floor in his hotel room, both of them looking back at him often to show him a toy or chatter something to him. Between the two of them he never stopped smiling.

Brady, at four, was bright and beautiful. She had some of Martin's mannerisms, the good ones before he became Zoot. The way she smiled and tried to commandeer the way the game she and Bray Junior were playing now screamed Martin. She even looked like her father, except her nose was Trudy's and her hair had more brown than blonde.

And Bray Junior, or BJ as everyone had begun calling the little boy, was equally sharp as his big cousin. He was walking now, barely. It was more teeter than walk, but it gave Bray a sense of pride. Every time he held out his arms and called to his son the little boy would quickly abandon crawling and lift himself up to make his way to his father. He hadn't quite mastered more than a few steps, but with good practice he'd be running in no time.

Bray cherished this little time in each day he had with his son and niece. He had missed out on so much in their lives all ready. It wasn't going to happen again, not if he could help it.

A knock at his door shook him out of his wandering mind. Brady was all ready rising, trying to beat him to the door to answer it.

"Comin'," she shouted in a clear, chirpy voice, a small, painted hand poised on her child hip, "Who is it?"

It made Bray laugh. She definitely had been baby sat by Gel.

"It's Salene can I come in, Brady?"

Brady looked up at him standing behind her. It was a look for approval and help. She couldn't exactly twist the old, tight hotel knobs yet, but she had been practicing. He nodded at her and she giggled as he helped her open the door.

"When did she get so grown?" Salene asked as she stepped inside. Brady gave her legs a swift hug before returning to BJ and their toys.

"Seems like it happened over night, doesn't it?"

Salene nodded, a small smile finding her lips. She watched the two children on the floor a few moments before resting her eyes on Bray's face, "May and Liv told me what went on at the meeting this morning. I'm sorry I had to miss it."

"Are you not well?" Bray found himself asking worriedly.

"Just a little nausea…look I'm fine, that's not why I'm here."

A dejected silence hung between them before Bray broke it, "Why are you here?"

"May told me everyone's resting the decision on whether to stay on the island or head to the Techno city to Amber. If I know Amber, her mind is made up and she's likely chosen to leave. It's the logical choice."

Bray was slow to catching on, but when she said no more his mind filled in the blanks of silence. "Yes, it's what's best for the good of the tribe, but it may not be what everybody wants."

"I won't make you choose Bray. I'm not going to keep this baby away from you if Amber goes, I go."

A weight felt like it lifted off of Bray's chest. That was the silent fear he had all afternoon since the meeting.

Once she saw the relief in his face, Salene turned to leave. She already had the door open, Brady ushering her out, when he opened his mouth to stop her, "Sal, wait…"

She turned looking at him with an impatient stare, her red hair, longer than he had ever seen it was caught in a low breeze, pushing it back from her face glowing in the sunlight and she looked positively radiant. He was distracted from his thoughts at the sight of her beauty. A beauty he hadn't quite noticed before. He completely forgot what he had to say. So he said the first two words that came to mind, "Thank you."