Thanks to everyone for their words of encouragement. Please note that this chapter has a little bit of bloody stuff in it but not too much. It is still farely safe I'm just not sure how to change the rating?

They had to get further away than what they were. Miles knew it wouldn't be long before the men were missed and the Militia would start searching for them. Unfortunately they couldn't move any faster. He glanced again at the girl he and Aaron half carried, half dragged between them. None of them had realised at first that Alex had been hurt during the fight. Not until Charlie's screaming as she had collapsed, her waist soaked in blood did they see the full extent of her injuries.

Several stray shots from the Militia's weapons had ricocheted into her and thanks to the adrenaline pumping through her body; she failed to notice her wounds. The girl had paled so quickly and so silently it had unnerved Miles. This was not going to be good.

"Please…..Stop".

"We can't kid", Miles replied, sweat beading across his face. "We need to get to a safe place first". He listened intently as her breathing became shallower with every step she tried to take.

"Please….. I can't…". Her feet dragged across the ground, catching on sticks and rocks. It was then that Miles knew they couldn't take her much further.

"Nora, we need to stop".

"Ok", she replied quickly from ahead of them. "Bring her here".

They quickly dragged her to where Nora showed them, carefully sitting her down beside a fallen tree. Alex's pained cries echoed through the clearing despite their attempts of care.

"Oh my god, it looks bad".

Aaron's voice was shaky and full of fear as he took in the extent of her wounds as Miles threw his gear to the side and knelt next to her.

"Nora, help NOW"!

He shouldn't have worried as Nora was already beside him, tipping supplies from her bag.

"Alex, you're going to be ok".

Charlie sat on the opposite side, her face full of tears as she held her friend's arm. Miles didn't have the heart to tell her how bad it really was as he tried to carefully check the girl's side.

"Thanks".

Alex's remark surprised him. "What for"?

She smiled at him, again reminding him of his past. "For stopping…". She gasped sharply as she looked down at his work. "My legs are feeling really funny. I can't even kick Charlie's ass for getting caught". Her grin was strained but Miles had to smile with her.

"Good girl! Bust my niece's chops for me".

Everyone laughed, despite the danger they were in.

"I'm so sorry", Charlie continued as she brushed Alex's hair from her face. "It's my fault again". Alex smiled at the crying girl beside her.

"It's not your fault. Blame the Militia". When Charlie didn't answer, she took her hand and squeezed as tightly as she could. "Understand"? Charlie nodded, tears drying on her face. Alex didn't let go of her hand as Miles pulled at her stomach. The pain was intense as the blood continued to pour from her.

"We need to stop the bleeding", Nora gasped as she handed Miles more cloths. He shook his head, sweat dripping down his forehead. "I don't think we can…".

Charlie's face filled with horror as Aaron watched on sadly. "Don't give me…".

"My bag", Alex interrupted him. "Red pouch".

Charlie bolted to their things and upended Alex's bag. Along with her supplies, a leather bound notebook dropped at her feet. The leather string that tied it shut snapped and several photos fell out along with a handwritten envelope. All of them were old and well worn and she found herself staring at the name on the envelope. How many Miles Matheson's could there be in the world.

"Charlie do you have it"?

"Yeah".

She quickly gathered the book, its contents and the pouch, sprinting back to Alex's side, handing the pouch to Nora.

"Mix it in some water", Alex gasped. "Then pour it in the wounds".

Nora quickly followed her instructions, handing the finished liquid to Miles. "Is that the same stuff you used for me", she asked worry in her eyes. Alex nodded. "It will stop the bleeding so long as no major arteries have been se….".

Pain shot through her and her scream echoed again through the trees. Miles gripped her shoulders, forcing her to stay still. He saw Nora instinctively hold Alex's legs down and he wished he could stop her pain. It was then that he noticed the book clutched in Charlie's hands. The old worn leather cover with its faded black stitching across its front made him pause.

"Charlie", he said sternly. "Where did you get that"?

Charlie looked at the book in her hands. The look on her uncle's face was one she didn't know. She looked at Alex, wondering what she would say about her holding her property. Alex's face was pale as she too stared at the book. Fresh tears rolled down her face as she stared silently. She tried to stand but found not only that her legs wouldn't hold her but every move she tried to make shot pain all through her body. Before anyone could speak, gunshots sounded, most likely from the Militia. Nora stood, her weapons ready.

"They've found the men", she said quickly. "We have to go now"!

"We can't. If we move Alex, it could kill her". Aaron was afraid. Their run ins with the Militia had not been pleasant.

They all looked at Miles and yet again he found himself unable to make a decision so he tried to busy himself with Alex's wounds.

"We tried splitting up before and it backfired", he finally replied. "We're staying together. Let me just finish dressing this and we'll go".

"Alex too", Charlie said firmly and Miles nodded. "We all stay together".

"No". Alex would not let anything happen to them. "You have to go without me. I can't move and I'll just slow you down". Even talking hurt.

Charlie shook her head. "No, you're coming. No arguments".

Alex smiled. "If the Militia catch you, they'll likely kill you and who knows what they'll do to Miles". Charlie shook her head, still clutching the book. "We can't lose anyone else".

Miles felt himself choke silently. He knew who this girl was and he wanted to protect her but he had to think about Charlie and the others. He stared at the book in Charlie's hands, hoping for some help in making a decision. The next lot of shots decided him.

"Nora, Aaron, pack the gear. Everyone's gear". Both of them hesitated. "Do it"!

They went to work, Charlie staring. "Miles, we can't leave. We can't…".

"We can't leave", he interrupted her sternly. "But you three can and you will".

Everyone was stunned. "Miles, you can't stay either", Nora began urgently. "You know what the Militia will do to you".

Miles stood nodding. "I know, but like Aaron said, Alex can't move. Not the way we'd need her too. I can't leave her alone".

"You have too".

The quiet voice from behind them. Alex's pale face stared directly at them. "You have to go with them to keep them safe and to get Danny back. If I can, I'll direct the Militia away from you".

Miles shook his head. "No. I know the Militia and what they'll do if they figure out you were with us. I can't….".

"Stop being so noble"! It took all her leftover strength to yell at him and she felt herself slump.

Miles stared at Alex, torn. He knelt beside her, a tear pricking at the corner of his eye. "I'm not leaving you alone….. Baby angel".

Alex closed her eyes as more tears streamed down her face. For a moment her pain disappeared and she felt a weight lift from her shoulders. She looked at him, managing to smile through the tears.

"You must".

She scrambled in her pockets, cringing. "Take this", she said, handing Miles a small, heart shaped pendant on a leather cord. "Keep this out of the hands of the Militia and Monroe".

Miles took I confused. "What is it"?

"Something they can't get. It could make the power come back on".

The others gasped and Aaron began to fidget, touching his own pocket.

"How"?

Alex shook her head. "Please just go before they get here". She looked at Charlie and tried to pat her hands. "Thanks for everything".

Charlie tried to smile but stayed quiet. Alex looked at Aaron and Nora who were holding all the gear. "You too". They nodded, both with tears in their eyes.

Miles wiped the sweat and tears from his face. "Go you guys. I'll catch up". When they didn't move his eyes hardened. "Go now".

Aaron and Nora nodded and they dragged Charlie through the trees, nearly kicking and screaming. Miles tried to finish bandaging Alex's wounds when a mans yell startled him. It wasn't Aaron so it must have been the Militia. They were very close.

"Please go", Alex said to him weakly. "Go now".

Miles nodded. "I'll circle back in a while, just in case they leave you here".

Alex nodded. "Remember Angel's game", she said softly, her eyes fluttering closed.

Miles wiped her face as he nodded, a tear sliding down his cheek. "I'm sorry baby angel". He got a smile as she opened her eyes again. "She loved that name".

She looked towards the sound of the approaching Militia. "Go".

Miles nodded, grabbing her pendant. Just before he stood, he without thinking kissed her forehead, knowing tears were now were flowing freely. Then, without a sound, he took off after the others, his heart breaking as he went.

It seemed like mere moments before the Militia soldiers burst through the trees to find Alex bloodied on the ground. One knelt beside her, checking for her breath.

"She's alive", he said, turning to his captain. "What do you want to do with her"?

The captain knelt down and pulled at the bandaging. "These are gunshot wounds", he said and he gripped at her face. "Wake up girl". After a few moments of prodding, she opened her eyes slowly. "What happened to you"? She looked around at the soldiers then back to the captain.

"Was travelling….met Militia….directions…..attacked….". She felt herself slowly drifting back into the comfort of darkness but the captain shook her awake.

"Who did this to you? What happened to the soldiers"?

Alex cringed, pain radiating through her. "Don't know…bandits….rebels".

"Where did they go", the captain shouted, his hand tightening on her face. Shakily she pointed in a direction. "Stole bag….help". Her eyes closed again and the captain checked her pulse. "She's still alive". He stood, turning towards his men. "You four, go after them".

The men saluted and disappeared into the trees. The young soldier still kneeling on the ground spoke. "Sir, what do we do with her"?

The captain looked at her. Normally he would have left her there but she reminded him of his own daughter back in the city. He sighed. "Bring her. Maybe she can give us information on the rebels. Get her medical assistance".

The young soldier nodded as two others joined him. They lifted the unconscious girl carefully and carried her gently back through the trees, the captain bringing up the rear.

It was an hour before Miles met back up with the others. All of them had tears in their eyes, especially Charlie. "You know that was wrong to leave her", Charlie said shakily. Miles nodded silently so Charlie continued. "But we had to, right"?

Again Miles nodded, unable to find anything to say. Nora stared at him curiously and knowingly.

"Why did you call her baby angel"?

He knew that question was coming. Instead of answering straight away, he went over to Charlie, gently taking the book from her and opening it. For a while he stayed quiet and the others respected the fact that he needed time. When he finally sighed and closed it, his eyes were tired and full of tears.

"Uncle Miles", Charlie said quietly, looking worried for him. "What is it? Why did you call her baby angel"?

Miles looked at her and the others, still trying to process everything. "That's what me and someone I loved decided we would call our daughter".

I have had so much fun writing this that I am going to keep going until I run out of ideas. Look out for more. Let me know what you all think.;)