A man stepped into the headlights, light pooling on his features. He was tall, with short, dark hair and tanned skin. In his hand, he clutched a pistol. Elyza gauged him immediately; he wore civilian clothes, his hair messy and his stance presented a large target.

Elyza raised the shotgun, aiming it at his chest. "That's far enough, mate."

He stopped walking, but he didn't lower the gun. "Who are you?"

"Travis?" said Alicia, stepping out from behind Elyza. "Is that you?"

Elyza watched the man's face carefully, noting the genuine shock at the sound of Alicia's voice, closely followed by relief. "Alicia?"

"Travis!" Alicia laughed, brushing past Elyza and rushing into his arms. The baseball bat dropped to the ground as she leapt at him.

Elyza narrowed her eyes as she watched the pair embracing, Travis lifting her off her feet for a few seconds. Then he set her down and turned back to the lights, waving his hands. "It's Alicia!" His voice echoed across the valley to be joined by a host of others. While Travis wrapped his arm around Alicia and returned to the others, Elyza rested against the bumper of the truck.

She was glad that Alicia had found them again, of course she was. But where did that leave her? Over the past few days, she had grown accustomed to the company. Shockingly, she discovered that she would miss Alicia.

The stationary light turned out to be an idling car. The moon shone down brightly as the family reunited, almost as bright as Alicia's smile as she was engulfed in hugs. Elyza sighed heavily. She wasn't needed any more.

"Mum!" Alicia cried, wrapping her arms around her mother. Tears fell from her eyes as the embrace was returned, accompanied by her mother's familiar scent that she had missed so much.

Madison's voice was trembling. "Thank God you're okay!" She held Alicia closer than ever, holding her as if she'd never let go. "I thought I'd lost you."

"I thought you were a goner," said Nick in a shaky attempt at humour from behind her. She laughed through her tears, as did he. Nick joined the hug, his body shaking slightly from his heaving sobs.

Finally, Alicia freed herself, wiping the back of her hand across her cheeks. "I almost was." She turned, searching for Elyza. "She helped me…"

"Who did?" asked Madison, squinting in the darkness.

The sound of an engine starting drew their attention back to the truck. Alicia didn't pause to even think before she sprinted across the earth, torch swinging in her hand as she closed the distance to the truck.

It had only just begun to move when Alicia slammed into the front bumper, staring up at the windscreen. Through the dusty glass, she could see Elyza's eyes widen in horror as she slammed the brakes, a curse spat from her lips.

Alicia's breathing was ragged as she watched Elyza kick open the door, the shotgun slung across her back. "What do you think you're doing?" Her boots thudded when she landed on the dusty ground, kicking up small clouds in the headlights. "Can't find any walkers so you run at cars instead?"

Alicia ignored her sarcasm. "Where are you going?"

Elyza looked away. "I said I'd get you to your family. There they are." She pointed to the trio walking towards them.

"So you're just leaving?" Alicia couldn't quite hide the note of sadness in her voice.

Elyza shrugged, placing her hands on her hips. "Why? Do you want me to stay?"

Alicia frowned in surprise– an action she instantly regretted when Elyza's face fell slightly. It was a barely noticeable change, but Alicia saw it. She could see the walls going back up.

"Of course I do," she replied with a smile. When Elyza's face remained stoic, she looked down, suddenly vulnerable. "Unless you really want to go, I mean."

Behind her, Alicia could hear footsteps close by, and then a warm hand on her shoulder.

"Alicia," said Madison, looking Elyza up and down. "Who's this?"

"This is Elyza." The name sounded so nice, tumbling effortlessly from Alicia's lips. "She saved me from the walkers."

Elyza stepped forwards – Alicia could see through the forced smile on her face. "Elyza Lex." She thrust her hand out to Madison. "Nice to meet you."

Madison bypassed the hand and wrapped her arms around Elyza, hugging her briefly. "Thank you. For saving her, for bringing her back… Just thank you."

Alicia had to suppress a laugh at Elyza's shocked expression, her hands trapped by her sides. She shot Alicia a helpless look, which turned into a glare at her amusement. This only made it even harder not to laugh.

"N – no problem," she said as Madison stepped back. Elyza cleared her throat and adjusted the shotgun strap across her shoulder. "But, uh..." She jerked a thumb back at her truck. "I better be –"

"We're grateful for all your help," said Travis, stepping forwards. "But if it's not too much trouble, do you have a toolbox in that truck with you?"

Elyza blinked for a moment. "Uh, yeah," she said, running a hand through her hair. "You got a flat?"

"Yeah, one of the cars went over a pot hole and busted it," said Nick. "We got a spare, but the wrench is probably stuck in a walker's head somewhere."

Elyza's brow furrowed as she thought. "Sure. I think I've got something."

Elyza skirted around the truck and hopped onto the back. Alicia followed her, clambering inside with far less grace.

"Help me find this bag. It's like yellow, I think." She scrabbled about in the dark, kicking aside various objects. "Could use that torch over here –"

"Stay," Alicia blurted out, shining the torch at her. Elyza straightened up, scrutinising Alicia through glittering eyes. "Please."

Elyza seemed to have an almost soft expression, until she blinked, shielding her eyes from the torch shone in her face. "You trying to blind me?"

Alicia redirected the beam to the floor, feeling dejected. "Sorry." Feeling foolish for getting her hopes up, or getting attached in the first place, she resigned herself with a sigh. "Yellow bag, you said?"

"Yeah, it's got like a blue splodge on it." Alicia nodded and moved away the plastic cover they had used to keep the supplies from moving around too much. She felt a soft tap on her shoulder. "And I will."

Alicia looked up to see blue eyes shimmering in the torch light, her blonde hair in loose curls falling about her face. "You will?"

Elyza smiled, lighting up her whole face. "Someone needs to be around to pull your arse out of the fire."

Alicia rolled her eyes and shoved Elyza, who laughed heartily. "I can't believe I would've missed you." But even she couldn't keep the grin off of her face.

"I'd have missed you too, princess."

Later that evening, Elyza lay out across the seats of the truck. For once, she could hog the blanket, but she found it strangely quiet. She would exchange the warmth for the sound of Alicia's breathing nearby, the light snuffling in her sleep. But the others had set up camp – some of them in a tent while the others slept in cars – and Elyza would fix the car tomorrow in the light since they had to stop for the night.

Elyza had left the others to their reunion. She felt it wasn't her place. They seemed to be a nice bunch. While, of course, she was glad for Alicia, she couldn't help but wonder where she'd fit in with these people. Or even if she could. For the last hour, she had heard intermittent laughter and talking as the others sat around a fire, sharing stories and reconnecting, while Elyza had tried to get some sleep in her truck.

They had quietened down a little for a while, and when the fire was put out she assumed they all went to sleep.

A light tapping on the passenger-side door roused her from her doze. Elyza sat up to see Alicia standing outside, her hand pressed against the glass. It was cold enough to leave a foggy impression on the glass, like a ghostly shadow.

Elyza leaned over and unlocked the door, shifting so that she was curled up on the driver's side to make room for Alicia.

"Shouldn't you be asleep?" asked Elyza, her voice hoarse from sleep, or lack there of.

Alicia curled up on her side, eyeing the blanket enviously. "I couldn't."

Elyza offered Alicia the blanket, freeing about half and throwing it over her. Alicia settled closer to her to take full advantage of the warmth. Since getting the truck, they had both slept in the front, but not this close before.

"Thanks."

Elyza yawned, her arm brushing against Alicia's. "No problem."

"I'm glad you're staying." Alicia leaned against Elyza, her head resting on her shoulder.

"Me too." Elyza leaned her cheek against Alicia's hair, inhaling the scent that was indescribable, other than it simply being Alicia. "Why are you here?"

"I told you, I couldn't sleep."

Elyza shifted slightly against the warm body beside her. "But surely the tents have more room."

Alicia scoffed. "Not when you're sharing with three other people."

Elyza's laugh was light and soft. "I see. You just want me to stay so you won't have to sleep on the ground."

"Exactly." Alicia snuggled a little closer – Elyza could feel the chill off of her clothes. "That and you have a heater." She reached out to turn the keys in the ignition.

"A heater we're not going to use," Elyza corrected, gently pulling her hand back into the warmth of the blanket.

"Fine," sighed Alicia, shifting to get comfy against Elyza. "I'll just steal your heat then."

Elyza felt cold hands on her stomach, making her yelp in surprise. "You little shit!"

Elyza's fingers found Alicia's side and she began tickling her, not stopping until Alicia was nearly crying with laughter. "That'll teach you."

"I'll get my revenge," promised Alicia, settling back down. "Just you wait."

"I look forward to it."

The pair woke the next morning to a sharp rapping on the window.

"I'm regretting staying already," grumbled Elyza, pulling the blankets up over her face. "You deal with it."

Alicia sat upright, removing Elyza's hand from her waist where it had rested for the majority of the night. Blinking in the morning sunlight filtering through the dust-coated windows, she crawled over to the door and wound down the window by the handle. Madison stood outside, looking concerned.

"We woke up and wondered where you had gone!" she said loudly. Alicia could hear a muffled groan from behind her, but ignored it. "Do you have any idea –"

"Yes, mum, I'm sorry," yawned Alicia, rubbing her eyes. "I just couldn't sleep."

"Alicia, you can't just –"

Alicia cut her off. "I'm fine. I'm just used to the truck. It's too cramped in that tent with Nick and Chris."

Madison still didn't look convinced. "What if –"

"Bloody hell." Elyza sat up, pulling the blanket off to reveal her messy bird's nest of morning hair. "Mrs Clark –"

"Madison."

"Madison," corrected Elyza. "Alicia's just as safe in here as she would be out there. Safer, even. The truck has locks. I have a shotgun and an insane walker body count. If she's with me, she's protected." With that, Elyza slumped back down and covered herself with blankets again. "And I was up half the night getting your daughter here so can you please take this somewhere else so I can rest for a few more minutes?"

Madison's eyebrows rose for a moment, but she turned her attention to Alicia. "Let's talk."

Alicia yawned. "Five more min –"

"Let's talk, Alicia," she repeated sternly.

Huffing while Elyza snorted, Alicia opened the door and followed her mother back towards the tents.

"That woman," said Madison in a low tone, glancing back at the truck. "You said she saved you."

Nodding, Alicia summarised the story for what felt like the hundredth time. "I had hit my head. She helped me and then said she'd try to get me back to you lot."

"And she didn't ask for anything in return?" Alicia could see her mother was uncomfortable. "No money? Or… something else?"

"What are you getting at?"

Madison tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Why did you ask her to stay?"

Alicia stopped dead and turned to face her mother. "Because I owe her my life. She could have left me just lying on the ground, but she didn't."

"I know, but –"

"I want her to stay. She makes me feel…" Alicia paused, trying to work out what exactly she did feel. "Safe."

Alicia could hear voices from behind. Madison frowned at her answer, but also turned to see Elyza swearing to high heaven as she stomped around the back of the truck at Travis' behest.

"I've barely slept in days to get her back to you and this is how you repay me?" she shouted, trampling over bags and pulling at the cover. She popped back up, holding a pair of shades she took from a bag, sliding them onto her face against the morning glare. "Now where's the damn thing?"

Travis leaned against the back, poised to climb inside.

"No!" she shouted, holding up her finger as a warning. "My truck, my rules. You stay out of it."

Travis backed off, holding up his hands as Elyza swore again, throwing things around the truck.

Madison looked to Alicia. "You feel safer with her than with us?"

Alicia shrugged. "It's not that… It's complicated."

Madison looked into her eyes for a brief moment then placed her hands on her shoulders. "Fine. She just seems so…"

There was a loud clang as Elyza tossed a bag of tools out of the truck, nearly striking Travis in the face if he hadn't moved fast enough. She leapt out after it, her shotgun slung over her back. Travis went to lift the bag, but Elyza batted him across the arm and took the bag. Though it was full of tools and very heavy, she lifted it as easily as a pillow and headed towards the car, Travis in tow.

"…Rough," decided Madison.

"She's been through a lot," replied Alicia, moving to follow Elyza.

Madison grabbed her arm. "She looks like trouble."

"Trouble?" repeated Alicia in a tone of steel. "As if Nick isn't trouble? Or Chris? Like I'm not trouble?"

"No, that's not – I mean –"

"She's just different. While we were safe in the compound, she was out in the wilderness surviving." Alicia shrugged her mother's hand off of her arm. "I trust her."

Alicia approached the other two cars. Both were coated in dust and scratches from their journey. Ofelia and Nick lounged in the back seat of the functioning car, watching as Elyza waved away Travis' offer of help.

"Chill, mate," she said, setting aside the jack so she could get at the tyre. "I don't need your help."

Chris leaned against the boot, his eyes roving across Elyza suspiciously. "He was just offering." He bent down, reaching for the tool box.

"Hey!" shouted Elyza. "How many times? My truck, my tools, my rules!"

Chris frowned. "More hands will get it done faster –"

Elyza grabbed a wheel wrench and brandished it at him. "Don't get in my way, junior. Last warning."

Chris bristled. "Who even are you? You can't speak to us like that!"

Elyza sighed and shook her head, continuing with her work while she mumbled under her breath. "Bloody idiot seppo –"

"What did you call me?" snapped Chris.

"Look, James…"

"Chris!" he snapped through gritted teeth.

"Whatever." Elyza stood and took off her jacket, revealing her dirt stained tank top beneath. "I've already done you lot enough favours. Just leave me in peace to fix your damn car!"

Chris opened his mouth to argue, but was interrupted.

"Chris, just leave it," said Alicia, coming to a halt near Elyza.

"Come on, Alicia," he spat, walking up to her. "You've known her for, what, a few days?"

"And?" challenged Alicia, arms folding.

"She could be here to kill us and steal our stuff."

A burst of laughter sounded from Elyza. "Mate, I have more than enough to keep me ticking over for weeks. Why would I steal whatever you have?"

Chris fell silent and trudged back to the tent while Travis hovered near Alicia and Elyza.

Alicia crouched down beside Elyza. "Sorry about him."

"I've met tons of his type," replied Elyza. "Nothing I can't handle. Pass me that tyre over there. Please."

Alicia smiled and fetched the tyre, rolling it over to Elyza.

"Hold these," said Elyza, tipping the nuts into her hands. "Don't lose them."

Alicia saluted. "No, ma'am."

At this, Elyza laughed. "You weirdo."

After a few minutes, the tyres had been swapped and the nuts and hubcap replaced.

"So, Miss Lex," said Travis, watching as Alicia picked up the bag – Elyza sniggering while she struggled, earning her a swift smack on the shoulder.

"Elyza, please. Miss Lex just sounds weird."

Travis nodded. "Elyza. Thank you again for your help."

"No problem, Trav," she replied, wiping her oily hands on her jeans.

Together, Alicia and Elyza walked back to the truck, shoving each other lightly as they went.

Madison joined Travis, watching the pair of girls walk away. "What do you think?"

Travis folded his arms. "I don't know yet. She did bring Alicia back."

Madison made a non-committal noise. "They seem close."

"Elyza did save her life."

"She's a complete stranger though. Alicia feels safe with her, trusts her completely after only a few days."

"Before all this, I'd never have thought I'd be travelling with my ex and her family. The walkers change everything."

Madison didn't look pleased with the answer, but held her tongue.

Seppo - slang for American: seppo - septic tank - yank.