Zer0 sat on the railing of the Crimson Raiders HQ. He watched the people of Sanctuary go about their days. He saw Axton teaching some of the Raiders how to use turrets stolen from Hyperion. He also saw Maya and Krieg walking hand in hand. His grip on his sword tightened. Zer0 had feelings or Maya, he thought he even loved her. But he couldn't express himself, and Krieg did.

"It is for the best," He sighed "I shouldn't be here for long/ I should leave here." He heard a door shut. He turned to see Gaige in the doorway. "Did you say you were leaving?" She questioned. He nodded his head. "But why?" she questioned.

"I am no soldier," He responded "I am not one to fight wars/ It's not who I am." Gaige leaned on the railing and proclaimed "Is Maya also a factor?" Zer0 looked over at her. "It's not that obvious you like her," Gaige explained "but I've noticed that you do." He nodded his head. "Should I tell the others you're leaving?" He shook his head.

"Good luck where ever you go." She said as she hugged him "You've been like a brother to me." She let him go and was about to leave when she asked "Will you at least stay for one last mission." He looked back at her and a smile appeared on his helmet. He responded "Sure." She smiled and left. He watched as Gaige ran to Axton and probably told him Zer0 was in.

Axton looked up at Zer0 and gave him a thumbs up. Zer0 mirrored the motion back. Zer0 hopped down and walked over to Axton as he sent the Raiders away. "What is the mission?" Zer0 inquired. Axton responded "There is a Hyperion general out in the Eridium Blight. We need to take care of him."

"Simple enough."

"Yeah, we're going to leave in a little bit. You were the last one we were waiting on."

Zer0 nodded and headed for his home. He entered his home and grabbed his weapons. His best sniper rifle and the legendary pistol; the Maggie. He was about to leave when he heard a knock at his door. When he answered it, Maya stood in the doorway. "Hey." She greeted.

"Hey." He responded. "Gaige told me you were leaving." Maya shared. "I am." He answered.

"May I ask why?"

"I had my challenge/We have beat the Warrior/I need a challenge."

"You could stay here. The Raiders need good snipers."

"What of Mordecai?"

"Stealth?"

"Stealth is not good to fight wars."

"What about,"

Zer0 interrupted "I am leaving soon." Maya put her hand on his shoulder. "There isn't a way to make you stay is there?" She sighed. "Tell me you love me." He thought. "No." He responded. "We should be going. Maya nodded in agreement and followed him out. They all met up at Pierce Station. "Are we ready to go?" Axton questioned. "Ready." Zer0 answered.

They all fast-traveled to the Eridium Blight and drove to the Hyperion outpost the general was suspected of being at. They entered the outpost and found it was a rectangular clearing with supply crates. "You shouldn't have come here." A voice echoed. The building at the end of the clearing exploded and a massive loader stood out. It looked similar to the loader Saturn. "I am the Hyperion general Mars!" He roared "And you will fall!"

The supply crates exploded to reveal GUN loaders. "You can't stop me!" Krieg shouted as he charged the loaders, buzz saw in hand. Everyone joined the charge. The loaders were a quick job. Mars charged forward with an enraged roar. Axton's turrets let loosed a rocket barrage but it didn't faze him. Mars stomped on the turrets and destroyed them.

D3TH-TRP went after Mars, but was shot down by one of his cannons. "Now," Mars growled "to finish you!" Mars slammed the cannons on his arms together to form one giant cannon. The cannon began to charge and Axton shouted "MOVE!" Zer0 shot off but noticed Maya hadn't moved. A loader that was still operational grabbed Maya's leg.

The cannon fired and headed straight for her. Zer0 jumped in front of Maya and brandished his sword. The last thing Zer0 heard was Maya scream his name. Then the blast struck him.

Maya shielded herself from the blast but it never hit. Zer0 was splitting the blast with his sword so it wouldn't hit her. The blast ended and Zer0 was just standing there. His suit was burned and his sword slipped from his hands. The blade shattered as it hit the ground.

He fell to his knees and then to his face. His helmet cracked as he hit the floor. Gaige screamed "Zer0!" Salvador roared "Vete al diablo!" as he pulled out his Vladov spin gun and Bandit SMG. Axton and Gaige joined in on firing on Mars.

Krieg jumped on Mars and slammed his axe into Mars. Maya was in disbelief about what happened. "Why," she cried "why did you do that Zer0?" She pulled out her caustic pistol and shot the loader. She felt a tear roll down her cheek. "You're going to pay." She growled. She phased Mars and began firing rounds into him. Everyone attacked in anger for revenge for their fallen comrade.

Zer0 woke up to only a portion of what was happening. "Dang." He groaned. "My helmet's busted." He got himself to his feet and threw off his helmet. His black hair fell out. He looked up to see his friends fighting Mars. "Gotta help them." He groaned. His whole body was in pain.

He looked to his shattered sword. "Dang." He cursed. He noticed a surveyor win and thought "Time to improvise." He picked up the wing and charged. He ran past Salvador, who seemed pretty shocked to see Zer0 up. Zer0 swung the wing and hit Mars in the leg. Mars tried to stomp on Zer0 but he shot to the side and cut off Mars' hand. He then jumped into the air and sliced Mars down the center.

The pieces dropped and detonated. Zer0 turned to the rest of the group and smiled. Then he felt his body give out. He fell to the ground and passed out.

Zer0 woke up in his home back in Sanctuary. He sat up and groaned as he ran his hand through his hand through his hair. He turned so he sat on the edge of his bed. "You're awake!" He heard Gaige cheer. When he looked up, she tackled him back onto his bed. "Ow," he groaned "yeah, I'm up." She apologized "Sorry." She looked at him and smiled.

"What?"

"So this is you?"

"Yep. This is me."

"The blue eyes are nice on you."

"Thanks. Why are you in my house?"

"We've been making sure you're going okay."

"We?"

"Yeah, it's been me and Maya."

"Has she been worried?" He thought, but he shook it out of his head. He stood up and stretched. He looked to his desk and saw his busted helmet, shattered sword, and tattered suit. "Sorry about your stuff." Gaige apologized. Zer0 sighed "The only thing I'm upset about is the sword. Had it all my life." He looked to Gaige, who was holding some clothes and a belt.

"These are for you." She exclaimed as she handed them to him. He put on the black pants and grey shirt. The belt held his shield, grenade mod and the Maggie. "This is nice." He complimented as he clipped on his belt. "I'll let everyone know you're up." Gaige giggled. She ran out the door in a dash of excitement. Zer0 laughed as she ran out. There was a knock at the door and he saw Maya. "Hey." She greeted. "Hey." He responded. "I brought pizza." She announced.

His stomach growled at the sight of the box. "How long was I out?" He questioned. "About three days." Maya answered. Zer0 opened the box and practically shoved a piece down his throat. Maya giggled and pulled out a napkin. "You have something on your face." She pointed out. She wiped some sauce off his face. "This is the first time I've seen you eat." She pointed out. He swallowed his food and was about to speak when Maya added "Or really seen your face, but I guess no one has." She smiled at him.

He smiled back and chuckled. He noticed something on Maya's back, it looked like a rolled up carpet. "What is that?" He questioned. "It's a gift." She proclaimed as she took it off her back and handed it to him. He unrolled it to reveal a new sword. "Alright!" He cheered.

He swung it a few times. "It feels just like my old one." He commented. "Thanks Maya." He sheathed his blade. He smiled and said "Must have taken a lot to get this."

"I pulled a few strings, but it wasn't much."

"Thanks again."

She smiled and replied "Not a problem." She looked at her watch and sighed "I gotta go. Stuff needs to get done. See you later." She waved as she left. Zer0 tied his sword to his belt and left. He was still hungry and decided to head to Moxxi's. Everyone was giving him strange looks, but he saw Sal, Axton, and Gaige sitting at a booth.

"What's up everyone?" He asked. "Good to see you up and moving." Axton laughed as he shook Zer0's hand. "Gotta say, never pictured you like this." Zer0 chuckled "No one ever does." Sal questioned "What happened to the way you talked? No haikus amigo?"

"Nah, that was just to freak out targets."

Everyone laughed. "So what do you want to do now?" Gaige asked. Zer0 shrugged as he picked up a slice of pizza. "I'm up for a job or two." He claimed as he shoved the pizza in his mouth. Axton announced "I think Tannis has a job we can do." Zer0 gave a thumbs up as he swallowed his pizza.

They laughed and headed for the Crimson Raiders HQ. Axton knocked and yelled "Tannis! We're here for the job you posted!" From inside Tannis yelled "Come in! The door is open!" They entered to find Tannis on her computer. "Yes, yes the job." She exclaimed as she turned. "I need you to…" She started. She stared at Zer0 with her mouth agape. "Tannis?" Zer0 questioned. "Are you alright?"

"Yes! Yes! I'm just fine!" she blurted. She seemed a bit flustered. Everyone looked at each other with confusion. She handed Axton an ECHO device and explained "This has everything you need to know." She started pushing Salvador and Axton out with Gaige following behind. Zer0 was about to walk out when Tannis slammed the door shut. She grabbed his shoulders and kissed him.

She let him go. "My goodness," She panted "you are a handsome man." Zer0 thanked "Thank you, I guess."

"I have a special job for you."

"Okay."

"You and I will spend time together."

Zer0 raised an eyebrow in question. "Let me explain." Tannis elaborated. "I need to learn how to interact with others and seeing how very, very attractive you are, you are the perfect person to help me." Zer0 pondered for a moment and exclaimed "You want me to go out with you?"

"Precisely!"

Zer0 thought about it. "Sure, why not." He answered. "Excellent!" She cheered. She hugged him and they started talking. They sat in the office and talked for a while.

"This has been very enjoyable!" Tannis laughed. Zer0 laughed with her. "I've never seen this side of you. I like it." Zer0 complimented. "I enjoy this new side of you as well. Ah the hour grow late." Tannis sighed. Zer0 looked at his watched and agreed. He sat up and headed for the door. "We should do this again tomorrow." She suggested. "Sure." Zer0 answered.

"See you tomorrow."

"See ya."

He kissed her and left. He headed back to his home with a smile on his face,

Maya left Zer0's house a little uneasy. "What's wrong with me?" She wondered. She went home and sat in a chair. All she could think about was Zero, how he saved her, how handsome he was. She shook her head as if to shake the thoughts out. She was with Krieg, Zer0 didn't matter.

But he did, she could deny it all she wanted but it was true. She had feelings for Zer0 for a while. But after he nearly sacrificed himself for her: she loved him. "This is a mess." She groaned. There was a knock at her door. She answered it to find Krieg.

"Hey there, Maya." He greeted. "Hey Krieg." She responded.

"Can we talk?"

"Sure."

Maya sat on the couch and Krieg sat in the chair across from her. "It's about me and you." Krieg started. "I don't think it's going to work between us." Maya was about to protest but Krieg continued. "I know you have feelings for Zer0, more than you do for me. You spent three day by Zer0's side when he was unconscious." Maya dropped her head, feeling ashamed. Krieg put his hand on her shoulder and comforted "It's okay. The time we shared was great. You've helped me so much and I am grateful. But you love Zer0, be with him."

Maya looked up at Krieg and smiled. Krieg smiled back and left. Maya wiped the tears from her face and laid across the couch. "I'm going to tell Zer0 how I feel tomorrow." She drifted off to sleep.

Maya woke up to the door opening. "Wakey wakey Maya!" Gaige shouted. "I'm up Gaige!" She answered. Maya sat up with a smile on her face. "What's got you so happy?" Gaige questioned.

"I've got big plans today!"

"Well let's get moving. We need to turn in a job to Tannis first."

Maya got up and met with everyone else at the center of town. Maya noticed Zer0 wasn't there. "Where's Zer0?" She questioned. "Not sure," Salvador answered. "Haven't seen him since yesterday." Maya shrugged and thought. "I'll see him eventually." They all went to Tannis' place and knocked. "Just a minute!" Tannis giggled. Axton looked back with a confused look.

"Is she giggling?" He mouthed. Everyone shrugged. The door opened enough to poke her head out. "Can I help you?" She questioned. Before Axton could answer Tannis jumped and giggled to someone behind the door "Calm down! We'll get back to our fun." Axton tried to open the door and proclaimed "I gotta see who this is." When he opened the door, Tannis was covering herself with her coat.

Axton jumped back and yelped "Whoa! Didn't need to see that!" Tannis snapped "What do you need?" Axton tried to get in laughing "I definitely gotta see who it is!" Tannis stood in between him and the door. "I'm coming out!" A recognizable voice announced. Zer0 walked out from behind Tannis' desk with a blanket wrapped around his waist.

"How's it going?" He questioned as he put his arm around Tannis. She turned a little red when he did. "We're just gonna," Axton stammered. "Just… Um, yeah. We're just gonna come back later." Axton slowly shut the door and turned around. "I could have gone my whole life without seeing that." Axton proclaimed. "Let's go shoot some stuff." Gaige suggested. "Try and get our minds off of what just happened."

Everyone turned and headed for the fast-travel station except for Maya. She stood where she was, frozen. Her heart felt shattered. Gaige tapped her shoulder and questioned "Maya? Are you okay?" Maya answered "Fine. I'm just gonna head home. I'm not up for a mission today." Gaige returned "Okay. Stay safe." All of them travelled away. Maya made a b-line straight for Moxxi's with tears in her eyes thinking "I need a few drinks."

Zer0 stayed with Patricia (she told him to call her that) for the rest of the day. He was getting dressed and commented "Today was a good day." Patricia agreed "Indeed. I can't believe what I was missing out on." She was still wearing only her coat and sitting in the chair. "I'll see you again tomorrow?" He asked. "Of course!" She responded.

He kissed her and left. He walked back to his home. As he fiddled with his keys, a bottle shattered over his head. When he turned to face his attacker, sword drawn, he saw a very drunk Maya. "I gotta bone ter pick with ya!" She grumbled. She downed the beer she had in her other hand and threw that one too.

Zer0 caught the bottle and set it down. "What's wrong?" He interrogated. She stumbled towards him and nearly collapsed on the steps. "Let's talk inside." He suggested. He opened the door and let Maya stumbled inside. He sat down on the couch and Maya sat next to him.

"How long have you been drinking?" He started. "Since I saw you nailin' Tannis!" She growled.

"Why? Why do you care?"

"Because I broke up with Krieg to be with you!"

Zer0 was about to say something but Maya shot up and ranted "My happy relationship ended, so I could be with you. Why? Because I LOVE you! You idiot! And what do I get? To see you with Dr. Crazy!" She stopped and sat back down. She rested her head on Zer0's shoulder and cried "I thought you liked me Zer0."

Zer0 didn't even have time to respond because Maya pulled him close and kissed him. "This is wrong." He thought. "What about Patricia?" He wrapped his arms around her and embraced her. "This is Maya!" Another part of Zer0's mind added. "The woman you nearly killed yourself to save. You love her, you can't deny that." That part took over and picked Maya up from the couch. "I love you, Zer0." Maya whispered in his ear. "I love you." He carried her up to his room and laid with her.

Maya woke up the next morning with a splitting headache. "My head." She groaned. "Man it hurts." She got up and went down stairs. She turned into the kitchen and saw Zer0. He was leaning on the counter with no shirt, and black pants while drinking a cup of coffee.

"Zer0!" She gasped. "What are you doing here?" He chuckled and answered "This is my house." He handed her a cup of coffee. She took it, but when she looked down at the cup she nearly dropped it. She realized she was naked. Zer0 caught the cup and set it on the counter.

Maya tried to cover herself, Zer0 just laughed "It's not like I haven't seen everything already." He sipped from his coffee as Maya gasped "What HAPPENED last night!" Zer0 explained "You showed up here, drunk of your ass, calling me an ass for being with Patricia and how you left Krieg for me. Then you confessed your love for me and one thing led to another and here we are."

He handed her a shirt and pair of shorts. She threw them on as quickly as she could. "Zer0, I think," Maya started but Zer0 cut her off "That this shouldn't have happened and we shouldn't tell anyone about this. I get it."

"No! No, not at all. I was going to say we should go out sometime later."

He nearly spat his coffee out and coughed "Really?" Maya giggled "Really. If I didn't want to date you, I wouldn't have slept with you." She walked over to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Okay." He grinned. She sat on the counter and sipped her coffee.

Zer0 went to answer a knock at the door. When he opened the door Axton busted through and interrogated "What the hell happened yesterday? I mean Tann…" He looked up to see Maya on the counter. He turned to Zer0 and proclaimed "You've got to be joking." Zer0 shrugged and sipped his coffee. Axton turned back to Maya, who waved at him.

"I'm going to be at Pierce Station, feel free to see me to explain what the hell has been going on for the past few days." He announced as he walked out." Zer0 shut the door and turned to Maya. "Looks like we have some explaining to do." He chuckled. Maya laughed as well.

Zer0 threw on a shirt, laced his boots up and proclaimed "I've got a few things to do. I won't be long." He walked out and left Maya alone. She smiled as she sipped her coffee and thought about a surprise for Zer0.

Zer0 headed for Pierce Station. He saw the group sitting in the station. He walked in and waved as everyone greeted him. "Are you here to explain?" Axton questioned. "No," Zer0 answered "I'm here to talk to Krieg." Krieg looked at him strangely. "Alone," Zer0 added "it's kinda personal." Krieg nodded and stood up. They went to an alley way when Zer0 started "It's about Maya." Krieg added "You want to be with her, but you wanted to run it by me."

"Exactly. It wouldn't feel right to not ask you."

"I understand."

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ruin your relationship with Maya."

"It's okay, she loves you. Just don't hurt her, or I will hurt you."

"I understand. Thank you."

They shook hands and parted ways. Zer0 still had one more thing to take care of: Patricia. He knocked on her door and announced "Patricia! It's Zer0!" She opened the door and greeted "Hello Zer0. We have something to discus."

"Yes, we do."

He entered and they both sat down. "I feel we must end out… relationship." Patricia began. "Really?" Zer0 responded.

"Yes. This has been nice, but I have research to do and experiments to run, and a relationship just stands in the way of progress. I hope you understand."

"I understand"

"Thank you."

She kissed him on the cheek and returned to the computer. Zer0 walked out and returned to his home. He opened the door and announced "Maya! I'm back!" She called back from upstairs "One second! Stay right there!" Maya walked down stairs and sighed "I couldn't find something… sexy for you."

Zer0 laughed and kissed her. "You're perfect the way you are." He complimented. She wrapped her arms around his neck and giggled. There was a knock at the door and both of them groaned. Zer0 answered it to find Salvador. "Sorry if I was interrupting something," Sal apologized "but we got an S.O.S. on the ECHO about a guy needing help in a town called Oasis."

Zer0 turned to Maya who shrugged. "Sure, we're in. Just give us a minute." Sal nodded and left. "Ready for a new challenge." Maya laughed. Zer0 just smiled and kissed her. "Always." He whispered. He went upstairs and brought Maya her clothes. "Are you still going to leave?" she asked. "No," he answered "I have a reason to stay here. You." Maya smiled at him.

"Hurry up," Zer0 urged "Everyone is probably waiting on us." She laughed and changed her clothes. "Let's go." She proclaimed. He took her hand and led her out.