Maria is just signing the letter to the Marsteds when she hears three quick knocks at her door. She's standing at her desk, stretching her legs for a bit. She frowns, recognizing the knock.

"Come in," she calls.

She looks over her shoulder to see Mason Street in the afternoon sun. Folks are walking about, minding their own business. More or less just what she likes to see. She was hoping to get down there herself in the next hour, but three or four too many things are happening, and it's looking like it'll be a late afternoon.

"Maria," says Ellie, standing a few feet from her desk.

Maria didn't need to look to know who it was. "You know you're getting downright eerie, Ellie. I sent a summons for you not sixty seconds ago."

Ellie frowns, shaking her head. "I didn't get the summons, I just knew you'd want to talk to me."

"That I do. Sit down?"

Ellie hesitates.

"Somewhere else to be?"

"I wanna see the reception, is all. This time."

"Well, that's out of character."

"Yeah, I know, I just… I was there, you know. Guess I wanna set my nerves at ease."

That's fairly quick to go justifying herself.

"Are you gonna be there?" Ellie asks.

"No, not this time."

"Really?"

"Really. Dinas will oversee this reception."

"Dinas? Why–" Ellie's eyes turn over and she nods her head.

"Cause I think he'll get through to 'em better."

"Yeah."

"Anyway, Ellie, if you go down there now you'd just be watching a bunch of grown men stuff their faces."

That surprises her. "You fed them?"

"I find that full men are easier to deal with. That a problem?"

"No," says Ellie, sitting with some reluctance. "No, of course not."

"What's eating you, then? Since you're so quick to report."

Ellie frowns, thinking of what to say. "Well… For starters, I have to say I didn't like the look of these guys…"

"Oh, no? Gang of cutthroats in dusted leather doesn't set too well with you either?"

"Well, that's the thing, we don't know if they're cutthroats or not yet…"

Maria's instincts are kicking in now. It's almost as if Ellie's hiding something from her. She crinkles her left cheek, leaning against the window frame. "Why don't you relay it to me."

Ellie runs it through, taking care to explain how the encounter started, and making it clear that peaceful terms were met.

"Now it seems what you're not saying is that you sensed danger the whole while."

"Yeah," says Ellie, "but who wouldn't? Tough to meet strangers on the road. If we weren't in sight of Jackson…"

"If you weren't in sight of Jackson, you fear they might not have treated you too kindly."

A pained expression crosses Ellie's face. "Well, to be honest, if it weren't for Jackson's protection, I'm as likely as anyone to shoot first."

"Huh." If it's not Maria's imagination, Ellie is defending these men. That's what's strange here. "Well, that is why you are still alive, Ellie. In part, at least."

"Yeah…" Ellie sniffs and rubs at her jaw. Still a ways to go in forgiving herself, Maria sees.

Maria has learned you can get farther with Ellie if you're… indirect.

"How'd Jonah do?" Maria asks.

Ellie's surprised at that. "Well, to be honest he mostly just kept his mouth shut. Which is exactly what he was supposed to do. He followed orders quick enough when they surprised us. When we surprised each other. Now–I didn't mention this–Victor, their leader, did explicitly say it's because of Jonah they agreed to come to town. Likely cause–"

"A people who keeps an untrained kid around won't be a bunch of coldhearted bastards."

"Likely yes."

"Like them?" Maria offers.

Ellie gets that painful frown again. "I don't know, Maria. That's why I want to be at reception."

"Okay, but getting you to do that stuff is like pulling teeth, so what's different this time?"

Ellie's eyes dart twice. "I think it's cause Jonah was in danger earlier, and I just want to make sure that… I don't know, that I made the right decision."

"You navigated 11 strange armed men to our gates without a shot being fired, I'd say you did pretty good."

Maria turns away and pretends to look out the window, but the truth is she doesn't want Ellie to see the worry on her face. Cause the last thing that Ellie said was a lie.

She doesn't like that, but her instincts are never wrong. What she said about Jonah–she wagers that's true, but the best lies have a kernel of truth. And Ellie… bless her, Ellie knows how to lie.

But it's been a long while since she's lied to Maria. So why would she? About this, of all things?

Maria turns her head. "You got that paper?"

She hears Ellie pull it from her pocket. Maria turns around and takes it from her, reading it.

"Recognize any of these?" Maria makes sure to meet her eyes when she asks.

Ellie shakes her head, holding eye contact.

Well, if that's true, Maria doesn't recognize them either. She lays the paper on her desk.

Maria frowns. She can't see a way forward with this right now, so they'll have to resume later.

"Ellie," says Maria.

Her girl is looking right at her. Her forehead is creased. She's worried.

"Been a while since we been in this situation, but you know how it goes."

Ellie just barely nods.

"After the interview, we'll either cut some trade with 'em or set 'em loose. If we really don't like what we hear…"

"Don't ask me to do it," says Ellie.

That stops Maria. "I never have."

"And you never would?"

Maria can't stop the wince at her eye. "Why do you ask me that?"

"Cause I invited those men here on terms of peace, and it just–and I just… I don't, I can't, like that…"

Ellie's eyes are gone far away, to dark and evil places.

Maria swiftly waves her hand. "That's not what this is about, Ellie. I'm not gonna do that, just, I wanted you to know. How it could go."

"I know," says Ellie. "Thank you."

"Why don't you go down to Matheson Hall. You can meet Abby there."

"Abby?"

"Yes, Ellie, she and every other clerical study will be present at this conversation, because it is vitally important."

Ellie seems to sense the proximity of another chat about the program. She nods and rises from her seat.

Maria snorts. "Don't interfere, alright?"

Ellie looks defensive. "What am I, a troublemaker?"

"Always have been. Get out of here, I got work to do."

Doesn't stop her smirking on the way out. Stinker.

"And Ellie–"

"Love you too, Maria," says Ellie, door half open.

Maria chuckles. "Love you, too," she says as the door closes. Girl could charm a snake out of its skin.

And damn if Maria doesn't love her. One of the most treasured people she's got left.

Which makes a lie from her sting like a prick in the chest.

Abby opens her leather satchel, going over the notebooks. She won't be needing the printed copy of Jackson bylaws or historical references, but she pulls out the notepad because she very well may have some notes. She gives her pen a couple clicks, then tucks it into her breast pocket.

So far, it's just her and a couple other clerical studies in Matheson hall. The new party should be joining them soon, after finishing the supper Jackson so graciously provided.

This is interesting. They don't get new visitors too often and this group was well armed. Abby's not sure which way it's gonna go. A fight is about the last thing that would happen, but based on her understanding there should be some sensitive negotiation. She almost wishes Lev could be here, to see how Jackson preserves its safety in bureaucratic terms.

The door to the hall opens and the three studies look up, but to Abby's surprise it's only Ellie that enters.

Abby cocks an eyebrow. That's about the last person she expected. Ellie's got an oddly serious expression on her face, too, like she's lost in thought. Her eyes meet Abby's and she switches to her characteristic muted smirk. She sits down in one of the hard wooden chairs next to Abby.

"Where's your notebook?" Abby asks.

Ellie looks at hers and scoffs. "I'm just here to see what goes down."

"No shit," says Abby. "You talk to Maria already?"

Ellie nods.

"You tell me, then."

Ellie shrugs. "Maria didn't have a lot to say about it. Dinas is gonna interview them."

"Dinas?"

Ellie chuckles. "That's what I said. Maria said they'd hear him better."

"Huh." Dinas is a guard captain. Kind of a rough-around-the-edges hardass, and not much of a talker at all, but he's loyal. That's a sensible call.

"How you doing?" Abby asks.

Ellie looks her way, but doesn't quite meet her eyes. She seems tense. Guarded. "I don't know, fine. Nothing happened."

Abby nods. Ellie's not quite herself, though.

The door opens again and this time it's Dinas and Tony, followed by a troupe of unsavory looking men. Maybe Maria should have treated them all to a shower, too. The train is tailed off by three Jackson guards Abby knows by name.

"Take a seat, boys," says Dinas, "and let's talk about how we can help each other."

They all situate themselves down a long, wood table with benches. Dinas sits at a wooden chair at the head, Tony to his right, who pulls out a notepad of his own. Abby looks the men over while they sit.

Trenchcoats, leather chaps. Badly worn in clothes, but intact enough to keep out the cold. Plenty of empty holsters. Plenty. Stiff from riding, looks like. Lot of riding. Active eyes, lots of movement. These are road men if she's ever seen them. They don't seem to like the row of young people sitting behind them.

"Don't mind them," says Dinas. "You can think of 'em as understudies. Just here to watch."

They seem to take note of the fact that they're not armed. Abby was explicitly told to leave her weapon. The guards in the room are all carrying automatics, though.

Still, her and Ellie get a couple second looks.

"So what's the deal," says a scruffy blonde man sitting near the head of the table. "This where we talk about what we owe you?"

Dinas frowns. "Oh, for the food? No, no, that's on the house. No reason to deal hungry, we figure."

"Ah…" the blonde man says like he doesn't quite believe it. "So how do you deal?"

"Well, that's the question isn't it? We've got trade aplenty, I'm sure you've seen. We're mostly self-sufficient but there are always valuables and amenities which we seek after. You men done some trading out there I take it, I'm sure you understand."

"Never traded with a city."

"Not even FEDRA?" Dinas asks.

This agitates a few of the men slightly. Leaning in their seat, creasing their brow, muttering, that kind of thing.

"Fuck FEDRA," one man mutters.

The blonde man looks over his shoulder, a warning look perhaps. "No, they're not much for trade. Highly self-sufficient, perhaps."

"Perhaps," says Dinas. "Been years removed, but many of us are familiar with FEDRA operations. So's I get it. We do not operate the same."

"Apparently not," the man half laughs.

"Before we start talking business," Dinas continues, "we like to interview newcomers for reasons I'm sure you can appreciate."

"I suppose I do."

"So these next few questions I have been prescribed to ask you. I hope you'll oblige."

"Well, I'll try."

"Where are ya'll headed from?"

The blonde man thinks a moment before answering. "We come from different places, but the bulk of us headed out of Louisville about six months back."

Dinas nods. Tony begins taking notes at this point.

"Ya'll already come a long way then," Dinas inclines his head.

"Oh, yes," says the blonde man.

"You have a destination?"

"Boise, Idaho, in fact," says the blonde man.

Dinas frowns. "Indeed… last intel we got from that region was that the FEDRA base fell to rebels years ago."

"Well, we heard the same," says the blonde man. "Just like you may have heard that these rebels have substituted FEDRA's brand of bloodthirst for their own. Only thing is, we also heard the outlying settlements retain a considerable degree of autonomy and that infected are pretty well under control throughout the region."

"I see," says Dinas.

"That surprise you?"

"Well… a little, yeah. You must have sourced that info out East, I take it."

"Naturally."

"Sounds like you're more informed than us."

"Well, see, in our line of work you acquire special lines of information."

"That right? You long haul traders?"

"Yeah, yeah you could say that."

"So you don't mean to stay in Boise."

The blonde man tosses his head. "Not unless we find it particularly amenable."

"Tough job, in these times."

"Can be," the man replies.

At this point, everyone sitting at the edge of the hall is taking notes except Ellie. Abby's starting to get the picture, as is Dinas.

"What can you tell me about your inventory?" Dinas asks.

"Well of course that's the best of questions," says the blonde man, tucking his head under his hat for a second. "We deal in high-value items. Guns, rare medicines, sundry valuables. Cigarettes. Coffee."

Was it Abby's imagination, or did he pause after saying 'cigarettes?'

"We keep all manner of seeds as well, since they pack light."

Dinas is frowning. "You keep all that on you?"

"Hell no," says a lean-faced man in the back. The blonde man looks over his shoulder. "We're strategic," the lean-faced man continues. He must also have some kind of rank on the crew. Ellie must notice, she's staring at him keenly. Real keenly.

He's talking about stashes.

Dinas nods. "Of course. Well, that's quite an enterprise. I take it you cover a lot of ground."

"Yeah, you could say that," the blonde man continues.

"And you aren't looking for a place to stay, I reckon. Considering most folks would have asked about that by now."

"Oh, yeah, I'm sure they do," says the man. "Not everyone has the stomach for the road, these days, but we do alright."

And he won't ask, apparently, even when prompted. That says a lot, if they'd rather return to the dangers of the road than enjoy the amenities that Jackson provides.

"Wouldn't mind takin' a peek in that bar, though," says the blonde man.

Dinas meets his eyes. "The Bison? A fine enough establishment. We do allow visitors in the town, under certain conditions. We have our own form of currency here. That would be a matter to discuss with a parlay trader."

"Come again?"

"What we call the men who deal with outsiders directly. On governance business."

The blonde man smiles, and it isn't entirely warm. His teeth are brown and one's missing in the front. "Governance business, sure."

"With whom you can speak directly. Your names are recorded on our logs, but you are under no obligations at this time other than to follow Jackson laws, which you will find are largely common sense."

"We've no interest in causing any trouble."

"Right. That being said, you will be asked to leave town prior to dark, as you are not under hospitality."

"Sure, sure. How about camping?"

"Anywhere's you see fit as long as it's at least a mile from any permanent settlement you might discover on our outskirts."

"Seems fair."

"And that's it, gentlemen." Dinas rises and so do the rest of the men. He extends his hand, and the blonde man shakes it. "Welcome to Jackson."

"Thank you kindly," the blonde man replies.

"If you'll just follow me, I'll point you to the trading house and someone can get into the particulars with you on what you'd like to exchange. You should also be aware of our system of notes–a currency in these parts…"

They're all filing out of the room now and Dinas's voice fades away.

Abby finishes up a note in her book, then tucks it back into her bag. That was interesting.

She looks over at Ellie, who's wearing a blank expression, brow just slightly knit.

"What'd you think?" Abby asks.

Ellie doesn't respond, so Abby nudges her with her elbow.

Ellie turns, still looking spaced-out.

"Ellie?"

Ellie looks around the room, coming back to the moment. She rubs her nose. "About what you'd expect, I guess."

"I'm pretty sure–" Abby looks over her shoulder at the other studies, who are talking amongst themselves. She lowers her tone and leans toward Ellie. "I'm pretty sure they're drug runners."

Ellie doesn't say anything, she just nods. She's thinking the same thing.

"Maria won't like that."

"So we don't trade for 'em," says Ellie.

"Yeah. Think that's what he was getting at with the seeds, too?"

"Weed doesn't grow from seeds," says Ellie.

For a second, Abby feels stupid, then she recognizes the feeling that Ellie's fucking with her. She elbows Ellie again and Ellie chuckles.

Then something weird happens. Ellie's laughing, looking at the door. And she just stops and her face goes slack like it did a minute ago. Just staring.

What the hell is that? Abby wonders.

"Well," says Ellie, hopping off her chair, "bout time I get back to Maedlyn. She hates when I keep her waiting."

"Lev's making lasagna tomorrow."

Ellie glances over her shoulder. "I have the day off, we may be convinced to come by."

"You should," says Abby.

And just like she does, Ellie pushes her way out the door without too much of a goodbye. Abby snorts.

She sits there for a minute, trying to piece together the whole thing. Why Ellie was there. Why she reacted like that.

Then her stomach rumbles. Yeah, dinner time. With these new responsibilities it seems like her days are getting later and later. Still short in Firefly terms, though.

She grabs her pack and heads for the door.

Ellie doesn't go home like she told Abby she would. She tailed those men and their retinue straight to the trading house. She kept far back, over a block. They already know what she looks like and she doesn't need 'em to know she's keeping an eye on them.

Dinas leaves them there and they stay for an hour. Most of them stay outside and smoke cigarettes in the afternoon sun. Very curious, since cigarettes themselves are a commodity most cannot afford. They advertising? Only Victor, Lyle and one other went inside.

Ellie rubs her thumb and finger together. Lyle barely spoke a single sentence since she encountered those men outside Blacktail Butte. But he must have a special role on the crew, since he saw fit to speak up when he did. Also one of the only ones to go in for negotiations.

They come out an hour later and huddle up briefly. Ellie sees Victor distributing what she can only imagine are notes.

Then they pick up their feet again and go the only way she expected; up Mason Street to the Tipsy Bison. She follows.

They disappear into the saloon doors in a line, not one of 'em goes another way. They were told to be out by dusk and that's only a couple hours out, now. Now's the time to get some good drinking in while you can. She wagers it's the first time in a while these men have been served at a counter.

She waits a good twenty minutes for the group to get a drink and loosen up, then she makes to move inside.

"Ellie."

Ellie starts. She doesn't want any attention right now. She turns and sees Dinesh walking up the street in his best shirt. Reluctantly, she breaks into character.

"You iron that thing? I'm gonna tell Maria you need more work."

He holds up his arms and looks down. It's a layered teal, white and navy blue button down. Pre-outbreak, but somehow still in good condition. "I'm sorry, is it a crime to look this good?"

Ellie chuckles despite herself. "Heading to the Bison?"

"Yeah, you?"

Ellie nods, falling in step with him.

"Oh," he says, "'cause it looked like you were lurking."

Ellie furrows her brow. "That's just how I walk."

"It was you, right? Met those men on the road?"

Ellie shakes her head. It never ceases to amaze her how fast word travels in Jackson. "Yeah, it was me."

"They in there?" he asks.

She nods.

"You keeping an eye on them? That what's going on?"

She considers that for a second, then nods. "Look, I am, and I don't need any extra attention tonight, alright?"

Dinesh holds up his hands defensively. "What? I'm cool as a cucumber, Ellie."

She snorts in spite of herself.

She pushes open the saloon doors and the Bison's a racket tonight.

The string lights glow up all the lacquered wood walls, electric glow beaming off the eyes of the elk and bison heads up on the walls. There's probably forty people in here tonight, and with the music going, it's as loud as it gets.

She expected to see the men in question lining the bar, drinking in sullen silence, but that's not even close.

They're scattered around the bar in small groups, and you'd think the heroes were home from the war.

One man is over with Rufus and Julio, judging a throwing knife. Julio asks him something. The stranger gives him a sly look, then tosses the three knives in rapid succession, each hitting the bull's eye or damn near it.

Rufus guffaws and Julio rubs his jaw in chagrin. The man says something about a wager and they start laughing.

Victor is sitting at a table with the Paxtons and the Cowleys, holding everyone's attention like a preacher in church. He's telling some story. Seems right at home.

There's one two person table available near the front, and she and Dinesh grab it while they can. She's still searching around. Several of them are sitting at the bar, chatting it up with Seth and some of the other locals.

Finally she spots Lyle, at the end of the bar talking with Linda Radley. His manner is different, now. Like the others, he's loosened up. As a matter of fact, he seems quite comfortable. And Linda seems to find whatever he's saying quite interesting. He leans and says something as if trying to be discreet. Linda's eyes open wide and she starts laughing.

Is he… flirting with her?

"So what's up, Ellie," says Dinesh, "you gonna order something or stare all night?"

"I'm gonna order something," she replies absent mindedly. Then she remembers her notes situation. Shit… Dinesh is harder to ply than Abby.

He sits there with this expectant look on his face and a slowly growing smile.

Her pride gets the better of her, and she pulls out the notes she made from patrol earlier. She flags down Carlton, who's waiting tonight.

Dinesh is still looking at her. "What?" she says. "You didn't think I was gonna beg, did you?"

"No, I'm waiting for you to offer me a drink."

"What?"

"You owe me, remember?"

Ellie pushes her fingers into her temple. "Oh… yeah, of course. Obviously."

She has every intention of getting a whisky, but she hasn't eaten much–anything, actually–since that roll on patrol with Jonah, so she gets them some fries, too.

There's another one of the outsiders who's younger than the rest; the only way she knows he's with them is she doesn't recognize him and he's dressed much like them. He might be about her age. He's got neck-length black hair that he slicked back with some kind of oil. Was it like that at Blacktail?

He's chatting with Maisy Dent and Kat Hudson, of all people. He's got a smirk on his face she doesn't really care for.

"So what's up lately, Ellie?" asks Dinesh.

Ellie tries to suppress her annoyance. Dinesh is her friend, after all, and right now, good cover. "Not much. Same as usual."

Dinesh nods, swirling his beer. "Give any more thought to the team? Hucks could use you."

He's talking about the soccer team. There are only two in Jackson. Ellie's surprised they can even field that much. Dinesh is on the Huckers and he's been trying to get her to join forever.

"Don't really think I'm cut out for that, Dinesh."

"Come on, you're one of the fittest people in town. Fast, tough. That's what you need to be a forward, or back. You'd be a great outside back, I bet."

"Fast, maybe, but my cardio's lacking."

"So Drew will drill you. Can't hurt, can it?"

She does like Drew. But she does not like running. "Not much of a team player either, is the thing."

"Ah, yeah," says Dinesh, "that's why you're leading patrols five times a week, right?"

She gives him a look. "That's clearly different." She takes a sip. "Cause I'm the one doing the drilling." Linda is resting one elbow on the bar, looking up at Lyle like she can't believe what he's hearing.

Lyle pats his pockets then pulls out a chain that glimmers in the light. It might even be gold.

Do not give that to her. Do not.

He hands it to her and she takes it with some astonishment. She holds it up to the light, admiring it, then she carefully hands it back to him, and he returns it to his pocket.

"Probably gonna take the cup this year," says Dinesh.

"Really? Cause I heard you guys were getting creamed." They give out a cup each year to the team that wins the most games. Closest you can have to a tournament with only two teams.

He snorts. "Just making sure you were listening."

"Hey," says Ellie, remembering, "what ended up happening with Susannah?"

Now it's Dinesh's turn to look chagrined.

"Aw, she said no…" Ellie furrows her brow. "No… you didn't ask her, Dinesh!"

"Oh, give me a break, Ellie. Still plenty of time before the Winter dance."

"Oh, why wait for that? Dude she–" Ellie looks over her shoulder. "She's probably here–"

"Ellie, Ellie! Stop, she's… she's right over there, alright. Be cool."

A smirk grows on Ellie's lips. "So ask her to dance."

"Ain't noone dancing."

"Not yet, come on!" She pushes his shoulder.

He leans back in his chair, shaking his head. "You know, maybe if Maedlyn were here, I would. Where is she?"

Ellie half-frowns. "She don't like coming out here too often. Me either, honestly. Anyway, I'm not staying long, I'm headed back to her place soon." She takes another sip.

Five of the men are playing cards with Tony and Coot. There's a few notes in the pot. And Lyle is still talking to Linda.

"What's the deal, Ellie?" asks Dinesh. "You been watching these guys like you expect trouble any second."

Ellie looks back to their table, grabbing a couple fries. "Nah, just… not used to change around here, is all."

She chews her fries, not even tasting them. It's really hard to avoid watching Lyle's exchange with Linda.

In the Air Tonight by Phil Collins comes on the jukebox.

Ellie looks over at it. "You know," she says, "this is a slow song." Ellie gestures with her head to where a handful of people are moving on the dancefloor. Dinesh looks over as well. "Why don't you ask Susannah?"

Dinesh makes a sucking sound with his teeth, half glancing over his shoulder. "How about you and I dance?"

She stares. "You wanna dance with me."

"Warm me up, maybe get Susannah's attention. Come on."

Ellie shakes her head. "I didn't come here to dance." She looks over his shoulder. "Ask Jenny, then," she says, taking another sip.

He cocks an eyebrow, purses his lips, then backs up his chair and walks over toward Jenny.

Ellie raises her brows, she didn't expect that from him.

I can feel it, coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.

She never really liked this song.

Her eyes shoot over to Lyle when she realizes he and Linda are touching, now. He's showing her some dance, or something. He spins her around once. "Like that?" she asks.

I've been waiting for this moment, for all my life, oh Lord.

A strange and unwelcome feeling is growing in her chest. Her view is then interrupted by an unwelcome sight.

That guy, the young one, he's walked right up to her. "Evenin' there, Ellie."

He's still got that smirk that she doesn't care for. She wants to tell him to fuck off.

"Evening," she says instead, sipping her drink.

He nods toward the dance floor. "Care to dance?" he asks.

Wow. Two in the same night. She's a lot less inclined to dance with him than Dinesh, and that was not at all.

I've seen your face before my friend,

But I don't know if you know who I am.

"I don't dance much," she says. "Plus I'm taken."

He raises his brows as if that's surprising.

She's liking him less by the second. "How do you like Jackson hospitality?" she asks.

He tosses his head, looking around. "It's clean, around here."

"Clean." That's not what she was expecting. "That's it?"

His smirk sharpens. "Been to a few cities in my time, Ellie. This is just another one."

So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been,

It's all been a pack of lies.

She furrows her brow. She's been to a few cities, too, but she's never been to another one like Jackson. "Can I help you with something?" she asks rudely.

"I was wondering if I could help you," he asks.

Her brow twitches.

"You seem to have an odd fascination with old Lyle over there," he says, turning and pointing with his head. Lyle actually glances their way, making Ellie's chest tighten. "I was wondering what that was about." He chuckles. "I mean, I know he's charming but… you?"

Ellie's breathing is accelerated. She flexes the fingers on her right hand. He's threatening to put her in the spotlight, and that's the last thing she wants. Also, she's starting to weigh the consequences of busting his fucking lip.

She has to stay cool.

"I'm keeping an eye on everyone. It's what I do."

"Not as much as him," he says pointedly.

"Don't like the way he's talking to Linda," she replies, and it's not a lie.

"None of your business, Ellie," he says.

The anger is simmering in her gut, and it takes force of will to keep her face level. "Then let that be my business."

He breaks into a full smile. "Well, just so then."

"I didn't catch your name."

"Did I catch yours?"

She frowns. "I told y'all outside town."

"You're assuming I believed you."

"I got no reason to lie around here."

"None?"

For some reason, that's the one that almost sets her off. She keeps eye contact, and takes a long, slow breath through her nose. "None."

"Well, Ellie," he says, "you can call me Wyatt." He holds out his hand for her to shake.

She looks at it. Wyatt was one of the names on the list. She swallows her gorge and grips his hand, shaking it firmly.

"We'll be back in town, likely for the next few days," he says, turning to leave, "in case you change your mind about that dance."

She takes another slow breath. That conversation was mixed poorly with the whiskey and fries.

That damned song is still playing.

How could I ever forget,

It's the first time, the last time we ever met.

She shoots a glance at Lyle again, but he's not looking her way.

That kid had violence in him, she could smell it. She wonders if he could smell it on her, too.

She sees Dinesh coming with a big smile on his face. For a second, she's angry, then she breathes it out.

"Everything good?" he asks her. His eyes move after Wyatt.

"Fine, Dinesh."

He looks again and seems to take that at face value. "Susannah and some of the other's are going over to Rick's. Too loud here. I'm getting," he gestures with his hands, "you know vibes."

She snorts softly.

It's cause she likes you, idiot.

"Don't let me stop you."

"You sure you're good?"

She finishes her drink. She oughta be out of here soon. Little left to see, anyway. "I'm fine."

The hurt doesn't show, but the pain still grows,

It's no stranger to you and me.

She doesn't really sound fine, but he just nods. "Well, I'm gonna–"

She changes her mind.

"Dinesh?" she says, meeting his eyes.

"Yeah?"

"What would you do if someone from your past comes back, someone who did wrong by you. And they don't know you but you know them. What would you do in that situation?"

Dinesh frowns at her for a second. "Piss in their oatmeal."

Ellie takes her head off her hand, unamused. "I'm serious."

Dinesh's brow twitches. He leans in, speaking in low tones. "One of these guys?"

Ellie just looks back at him.

A second ago, he just wanted to get out the door, now he looks really concerned. "My dad would say 'forgive 'em.'"

Ellie's face screws up like that doesn't make sense.

"But if you want, I can help you fuck 'em up."

I've been waiting for this moment, all my li-ife, oh Lord.

Ellie takes a couple short breaths, then starts shaking her head. She closes her eyes. "No." She puts her palms on her temples. "No, forget it, Dinesh. I just need to go home."

She can feel him nodding. "Yeah, you should. Hey, I–I gotta go. But you take care, Ellie, alright?"

He's already leaving. All of a sudden she wishes he would stay.

"I'll call you tomorrow, alright?" he says on his way out.

She just nods, pushing her glass into the center of the table.

She gets up to leave, but just before she does, she gives one last glance.

Lyle and Wyatt are standing together now, leaning against the bar and talking. Linda's gone. And they're both looking at her.

She meets their eyes for one stiff second, then pushes her way out the doors.