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Chapter -19- Final Approach

_ New Atlantis_ ...

Topaz wrapped her arms around Fox and Vincent."It's my fault." Topaz clung to her husband and brother. She held her tears back, but the emotion in her stomach was painful. "I'm the one who talked her into staying the night with Rufus. I thought we could help focus him, so he wouldn't be in mourning. It's my fault."

Vincent shook his head. "Paz, stop. You didn't kill Nichole. Stop blaming yourself."

Fox sighed. "He's right. This city was supposed to have been cleared. All we can do now is mourn her."

"She was the first woman I'd ... in years, you know?" Paz pinched the bridge of her nose firmly to try and keep herself from crying. "I always thought I was poison when it comes to relationships with women. I feel like God is punishing me for loving them."

Fox turned to Topaz and cupped either side of her face. "Stop. Stop it. God doesn't work that way."

"Agreed," said Vincent. "Right now, we have to keep ourselves focused - your son is down here. Your mother is down here. We have to make sure everyone makes it home safely."

"Yeah." Paz closed her eyes. "Thanks, boys." A knock at the door startled her.

Topaz stood up and left the bedroom. She opened the door to her apartment and came face to face with Karla. "Hey."

"Hey." Karla opened her arms and stepped into Topaz. They hugged. The succubus rested her head against the taller woman's shoulder. "I thought you could use a hug. I saw you at the park, and you looked exhausted."

"Yeah. I didn't sleep. I feel like I'm responsible and..."

"Shh. You're not." Karla ran her fingers through Topaz's hair. "But we'll find who was and I'll kill them for you."

"Thanks, Karla." Topaz paused. "You know I'm still upset with you about Watson."

"No you're not. But I'd deserve it if you were."

"Yeah. I let it go months back. But if you're offering to help me sleep ... now isn't the time. It just wouldn't be appropriate."

"I understand," said Karla. "But you needed the hug. I know you did."

"Yeah." Topaz tensed her arms, giving Karla a squeeze. "My daughter looks older than you and Nichole. What the hell is wrong with me? I need to step back from..."

"Hey, hey," Karla eased out of the hug and put her hands on Topaz's shoulders. "What's going on? Where is this coming from, hon?"

"I feel like a pedophile. I'm fifty." Topaz took a deep breath and collected her wits. "Sorry. Okay. I'm good. So, uhm ... I saw Rue and Elvena going for a walk."

"Yeah. Vena spilled her guts to me so we could patch up things." Karla closed the apartment door and sat down on a nearby sofa. "Rufus overheard. Even when he's not in his animal form, he has splendid hearing. He heard how Elvena felt awkward because I had the attention of more than just my husband."

"She told me that kids in her school used to ask her for your number." Paz smiled inwardly. "That difficult on a teenage girl's psyche. She's harbored that resentment for ten years, Karla."

The succubus frowned. "Well, Rue overheard and came to my rescue. He made sure to flirt with her in front of me so that it looked like he was more interested in her than me. You should have seen her face light up."

"Elvena with Rue? Are you sure that's a good idea? Every woman he..."

"Stop," Karla said. "He doesn't sleep with everyone woman he talks to."

Paz sat down on the sofa near Karla. "I was going to say every woman he winds up seeing ... they've all died. Ulfey, Nichole ... it's not a good track record."

"I'm not dead."

"You weren't seeing him," Topaz replied with a shrug. "She's twenty-six. He's one hundred eighty-five years old."

Karla held her hands up. "First of all, I don't care who Elvena dates, just so long as she's happy and the man treats her right. Second of all, he stepped in to help me out because my conversation was about to go south. Ironic that a southerner was in place to catch it."

"That doesn't even make sense."

Karla shook her head. "Not all my jokes are ... just never mind. Look, Rufus isn't looking to date anyone. He just got his bromance back and he's depressed about Ulfey. For god's sake, his son is older than Elvena. He just stepped in to help."

"We both know age is just a number. You wouldn't interfere with it if things happened, would you?"

Karla shrugged. "Eric wouldn't want Rufus hanging around ... but ... if - and that's a big, big if - if my daughter decided to date Rufus, she would be in good hands. He is intelligent and good hearted. He's just about the smartest 'dumb hick' I've ever known. He treats a woman like gold, at least that I've seen. If those two dated, I wouldn't hinder it at all."

Topaz nodded. "Just making sure, Karla." Nevada sighed. She leaned back and rested her head on the backrest of the sofa, staring at the ceiling. "So now what?"

"We mourn. We prepare ourselves, and then we go down and kick some ass. Whatever's left of Falcon's army, we destroy them if they get in our way. We do recon, we gather intelligence, and we fight to the best of our ability."

Topaz smiled a bit. "Okay, good. It sounds like you have your head on right. My group will start sweeping the topside. When are you taking your group down to the Lower City?"

"I'm not sure. I want to talk to everyone. I want to make sure everyone is focused and motivated. If that means we have ourselves a little pep-rally, then that's what we have to do." Karla reached over and put her hand on Topaz's thigh. "Before we do all that, there's something you should know."

"What's that, Karla?"

"You can't go home to San Francisco."

"Yeah. I've heard."

"I am honored by the home you've provided for me and my family, Topaz. I want you to know that. You gave my children a lavish childhood in a safe neighborhood with good schools. Now that you are essentially homeless, I want to return the favor."

Topaz placed her hand atop of Karla's. She gave it a gentle squeeze, then she guided Karla's palm down so that it was on her knee, instead of her thigh. "How so?"

Karla traced her thumb back and forth on Topaz's knee. "Honey, I put the Paris manner into your mother's name. There is plenty of room and the lower level is underground in the front of the house, and it has a ground level backdoor to the backyard. I know how foxes like having dens. Sinopa can live beneath the house, and have her own entrance. You, Fox and Vincent have the rest of the house to yourselves. That way, you have a home."

Topaz offered a tired smile. She opened her arms to Karla. They shared a hug. Topaz rested her chin on Karla's head. "Look, I've learned that Gregory was manipulated into killing my father. As I understand, he feels like shit about it."

"Actually, your daughter is working to spring him out of the highest security prison in the country as we speak. Carmen's orders are to bring Watson to Natalia and Methos - you'll remember him as Lance. And for the record, his new name is Peter. Oh, and you're right - I've heard the same thing about Watson being manipulated. I'm not sure if it was Sire, and I'm not sure about all the details. But I've been hearing that Watson and his wife regret Jonathan's death."

"I'll work with him if I have to." Topaz shrugged and sat up, easing out of the hug. "I won't have him over as a guest for dinner anymore, that's for sure, but I won't begrudge him my father's death."

"What about James?"

Topaz laughed. "I like James. He's my half-brother. He's smart, he's handsome, and he's a good kid. Conner says he's a crappy thief, but this family was never about stealing, per say. It was about taking things that shouldn't be accessible to the world. Besides, he robbed the shit out of Falcon's vault." Topaz's eyes sparkled with pride. "James is family, Gregory isn't. Simple as that."

Karla smiled. "Good. I like that boy. I like his fiancée. They're good kids."

Topaz scoffed in a playful manner. "I heard you _fucked_my brother's fiancée, Karla. I also heard all the complications involving it. James isn't upset, so neither am I."

Karla felt relief. She nodded in understanding, leaned forward and kissed Topaz's forehead. "Thanks, babe."

Topaz lifted her head and brushed her lips against Karla's own. Just as quickly as they shared a kiss, Topaz jerked her head back. "Sorry. I uh ... sorry. That wasn't appropriate of me."

Karla shrugged. "We've been each other's go-to girl and we have done it on-and-off for a long time, Topaz. It was natural. If you want to kiss me, then kiss me."

Topaz shook her head. "No. Thanks, but no, Karla. I appreciate the offer, but I'm tired and I wasn't thinking, just now. It won't happen again."

Karla gave Topaz's knee a firm pat. "I'll just consider it a gesture of gratitude for the house."

Topaz laughed and nodded. "Okay. That works for me. Thank you for giving my family a place to go after all this mess ends. I appreciate it." Topaz leaned forward and gave Karla a chaste kiss on the lips. "Thank you. You're a good friend, after all. I'm sorry I'd doubted you last winter."

Karla offered her hand. "I know we're not best-ies anymore, but ... friends?"

Topaz drew the succubus into a hug. "Yeah, Karla. Friends. Thank you for patching things up with my son, too. I know that couldn't have been easy, after what Tamamo put you two through. You kept the casualty count down, you took a bullet for your team, and you kept everyone united."

The succubus lowered her eyes with a sappy sort of smile. "Aww, thanks. To be honest, I thought I screwed everything up. I felt stupid for sleeping with Rufus, I felt foolish for catching feelings for Reno..."

"You really thought you messed up?"

Karla shrugged. "Two cities got nuked on my watch. Two deities escaped the Celestial Realm and they're helping Falcon. Jules died. Natalia almost died. Kalen nearly died. Nichole died. Ulfey died. Hell, Jonathan died. I thought I killed all the people that we rescued from stasis, but ... they shouldn't have been there to begin with."

"Karla..."

Karla took a deep breath. "And let's not forget Peri, Chance and Nathan." She shook her head. "Nathan ... you don't know how much he meant to me but ... I couldn't save him. God knows I wish I could have. Reno and I have talked about that at length."

"Karla, shh. You did your best, and it was better than I could've done."

"I lost my children."

"You kept mine alive."

Karla smiled a bit. "I didn't mean to pout just now. Thanks for believing in me."

"Thanks for trying again. I know you said you wanted to stay away and raise your family." Topaz stood up and stretched. "You'll find your son. You're right, I do believe in you."

Karla stood up, too. She looked back towards the bedroom and saw Fox and Vincent on the bed, talking. They appeared to be trying to mind their own business.

The succubus grinned and turned to Topaz again. "I'll let you get back to relaxing with your family. For all we know, it might be anyone's last night on Earth, right? Spend time with them."

"Thanks, Karla. Good luck with Donnie."

They hugged again. Karla kissed her. "Take care, Topaz. If I don't survive this shit, you remember that Elvena is your goddaughter. Tell her she has to go back to college and take a break from this ... this bullshit Government Agency lifestyle."

Topaz nodded with a wan smile. "I will. But relax, you'll live through this. You always do."

"I'm burning the candle at both ends," Karla said. "If I die, so help me god you'll hear the explosion, because I will go out with a bang, not a whimper." Karla made her way to the door and opened it. "Now go kiss on those boys. They're looking awfully lonely without you. They just lost Nichole. They need a healing touch. I love you, Topaz Nevada. My daughter loves you. We're family. Thank you for believing in me." Karla stepped through the door and pulled it shut behind herself.

Vincent approached Topaz and drew her into his arms. "You're worried about her."

"She's acting like she's not leaving here alive."

"Sekhmet heals people. Kalen apparently does it now, as well. There is technology down here that brought me back to life after I was dead for thirty minutes. It healed my back and repaired my spine. And let's not forget your aunt - she had a knife put through her..."

Topaz sighed and eased from the hug. "Vincent, we didn't find it in time to save our Nichole. No one is experienced in using it, and that's if we find it and figure out how it works. What if Falcon never had technology to begin with?"

"What do you mean?"

Fox came from the bedroom and approach his sister and husband. "Vince, think about it - what if Falcon simply gave himself a power to heal others and didn't tell anyone ... it wouldn't be the weirdest thing we've heard of, right?"

Vincent walked to the window and looked down at Karla in the street. "She didn't teleport." He watched her for a moment and frowned. "She seemed so much more confident when I saw her in Maryland with Sinopa and Nichole."

Topaz pursed her lips.

Fox approached Vincent and whispered to him. "Don't keep bringing up her name right now. It's hard enough for Topaz to see our aunt's face, because it's a reminder..."

Vincent grimaced and nodded. His eyes cut back to Karla, down on the street.

The succubus vanished from the sidewalk in typical Karla fashion.

X

X

Two blocks away...

Karla Loupe appeared standing between Donovan and Eric. "Hey, hubs. Hey, Don. I think we should talk about tonight."

Donovan gently stepped away from Karla and turned to face her and his nephew. "You wish to make our way to the Underground City this evening?"

"Yup."

Eric placed his arm around his wife and glanced towards his uncle. "Why wait any longer?"

Donovan nodded. "If we are truly heading to another city, there will be need for provisions. I suggest we begin collecting dry food supplies and gather those who will be a part of our group."

Karla smiled somewhat. "Alright, Don. You start collecting food; I'll start collecting our people."

"Very well." Donovan dropped into a shadow form and slinked across the park.

"I totally ship him with Sinopa while she is so alone. Anyhow." Karla turned to Eric, coming face to face with him. "Don't freak out..."

"You went to see Topaz. I'm not upset."

"We just talked," said Karla. "Elvena and I ... we were getting off on the wrong foot. Rue stepped in and gave her the attention a young lady craves. It probably only worked because he and I orchestrated the conversation while she was talking with me."

"What? I don't understand what you're saying. Rue did what, exactly?"

"Rue overheard that Elvena was telling me that she felt slighted. She's resented me for a few years now, and it started becoming ... anyway, that part doesn't matter."

"Go on."

"Rue flirted with her when she was standing next to me."

"That low life sack of..."

Karla slugged Eric in the gut. "He did it because he gets it. Elvena feels slighted because, even back when she was just a girl in high school, her friends would hit on me. She felt ugly next to me."

"She hasn't looked in a mirror, then," said Eric. "You're both beautiful girls."

Karla replied with a wry grin. "You should tell your daughter that more often. Strong father roles build strong character in their daughters. It shows a girl what she should expect from a mature man. But you're not getting the point."

"I'm waiting for you to get to that part."

Karla rubbed her forehead. "I already did. Look, babe, I'll be blunt."

"I'm a simple man."

"I know, honey. I know. Okay, so Rufus approached us when we were together. He overheard Elvena admit to me how she feels awkward that she's invisible whenever I'm in the room with her."

"She has your looks but my personality," said Eric.

"Yeah. Funny - our son has my personality. He used to sort of ... waggle his brows when passed around as an infant. You'd swear he was flirting with any girl that held him in her arms."

Eric nodded. "So what's the point with Rufus, and why should I not attack him for hitting on my daughter?"

"Because!" Karla, incredulous, rubbed her forehead and sighed. "He only did it because he was making Elvena feel noticed while standing besides me. It's the sort of thing she has craved since she was a teenager. It started out as wanting not to be compared to me. Then it became wanting to feel visible next to be. Now she'll take any attention she can get. The fact Rue was chatty with her and practically ignored me was clever. It's a good way to smooth over how she feels about her mother."

"You really think she resents you?"

"Yes, my dense darling husband. You're a good man, Eric. But you're stubborn and refuse to look up at the world around you sometimes. You're too focused on looking down at the rocks you're always kicking."

"What do you mean?"

"What Sire did to you was bad. But, Eric, that happened a long time ago. Falcon was even worse - and I know you feel horrible about handing Donnie over. But Falcon is dead, choking on that thing Reno fed him. Babe, stop looking down and moping."

Eric grimaced.

"It's time you start noticing the rest of the world. Notice me. Notice your daughter. Notice that Rufus has never intended to steal me from you. Just ... look up and open your eyes more often."

"I understand." Eric reached for her hands. With a soft sigh, he ran his thumbs over her knuckles. "Karla, I have a low self esteem. I've never understood why you married me."

"Nice guys finish last."

"Excuse me?"

Karla laughed and shook her head. "You're a dick, Eric. Johann was the nice guy and he never got the girl. Look, I'm teasing you. Sometimes you can't help it - sometimes you don't get to pick who you fall in love with, sweetie. I was lonely for over four centuries."

"I may not have a lot of confidence, but if you won't leave me, I promise you'll never be alone."

Karla replied with a genuine smile. "Yeah. I trust you, babe. I was the bitch. I was the one who ruined the relationship. I was the one who was upset, frustrated, and then asked for a separation."

"You did it for our daughter."

Karla nodded. "You better never tell Elvena you were going to give up on her. Ever. It would be harmful to her psyche. Are we clear?"

"We're clear. So what's the plan now?"

"We find our people. Let's split up. You gather everyone you can find and bring them here, to the park." Karla drew her husband into a hug. "I'll get the rest. I love you, Eric. You're a goober and you need to learn how to love yourself, but I love you. Let's go."

"I would never let anything happen to you. I hope you know that."

Karla smiled again. "I know, babe. You stayed away for half a year because you thought that's what I wanted. You would hold a team of scientists at gunpoint to find a way to bring me back from a blackhole. Why do you think I threw myself at you when I saw you?"

He kissed her forehead, and then her lips. "You know me better than I know myself."

"You_don't_ know yourself. But, together, we'll figure out your mystery."

"I finally have the files and..."

"No, honey." She gave his hands a squeeze. "We'll work together so you can discover who you are. Reading about it is one thing - it's not the same. Just ... let's go get our people and meet here at the park. See you shortly."

"And then we'll get our son back together, Karla." Eric quickly leaned forward and kissed her a split second before she could teleport away.

X

X

Four hours later...

The elevator creaked softly as it rumbled down the shaft. Karla kept her hands in tightly clenched fists. Her forearms and biceps glowed with a muted red coloration.

"Shh," said Charlie before anyone in the group could speak. "Let her focus. She needs to keep all of us partially levitated, because we are way over capacity for this elevator car."

Silence. The elevator continued down the shaft grunting and clicking every so often from the strain on the track to which it was mounted.

The elevator car shuddered, eliciting several people to draw in a sharp breath. There were at least two squeaky sounding gasps. Everyone stayed silent.

Karla grumbled to herself. "It's easier than the goddamn bathysphere on our last try. I hope this stupid elevator isn't much longer. I'm starting to get hungry."

"A quarter mile to go," Eric said in a soft voice. "We're almost there."

"You can do it, mom. You're doing great."

"Thanks Vena." Karla added, "I'm starving hungry yet I just ate before we left." She sat down, causing everyone to squish up against the walls to give her room. Once seated, Karla sighed. "That's much better, actually. Everyone hold hands."

A few people reached for the hand of the person nearest to them but not everyone did it.

Karla erupted. "I said hold each other's flipping hand! EVERYONE hold hands! Do it right now."

The elevator began to speed up, causing everyone to feel lighter.

"Is everyone holding hands?" she exclaimed.

"Yes!" came a resounding reply from nearly everyone in the elevator.

"Good." Karla reached up and took hold of Elevena's belt and Eric's free hand, which was extended towards is wife. The succubus teleported everyone out of the elevator shaft. They appeared high in the air, in a dark area.

Two more short teleportations, and the group found themselves on the ground in the middle of a street.

All at once, several people lost their balance.

Heimdallr called out to Karla. "Mrs. Loupe. Please, attend me."

Karla smoothed her skirt and stepped away from the gathering. She saw Heimdallr on the other side of the group and approached him. "What's wrong...?" she swallowed, seeing him.

Heimdallr's horn, which was attached to his hip, was partially fused with a broken stone, possibly from a building. It was hip height and sitting in the street near the landing zone.

Karla swallowed. "Everyone, check your limbs. Make sure you and your belongings are not fused with anything."

Conner checked his family cane and sighed in relief. He turned to Rufus and said, "Does ... does that hurt?"

Rue looked down. The pain didn't start until he saw the injury. His right heel was firmly lodged within what appeared to be a section of the street that, due to damage and age, raised up to the height of a curb.

Elvena gasped, seeing Rue's foot fused with part of the raised street. "Is that a curb?" she said. She pushed her father out of her way. "Move, daddy." She knelt in front of Rue and put her hands on his ankle. "Oh my God." She looked back at her mother. "Can you get him out of this?"

Karla grimaced. "Oh ... Ruebear. I didn't know the street was lumpy. I should have set us down a few inches above the surface. I am so sorry."

Rufus lowered, gingerly, and sat down. His foot was firmly attached to the raised section of damaged street. "Karla, it ain't your fault. You kept the rest of us from bein' phased together. That-there was good work."

"Mom, how do we get him out of there?"

Karla swallowed and sighed. "Amputate at the ankle."

"This is no time for jokes!" Elvena said in a stern voice. "I know you use them to deflect..."

"No," Karla said in a firm tone of reply. "I was being serious. Once an object is fused on a molecular level, it's permanent. I'm not joking or deflecting. This is serious. We need to find a surgical tool and ... Jesus Christ, this is the same goddamn shit that happened the last time, and..."

Evan put his hands on Karla's shoulders from behind. "Me breaking a rib was not your fault, Karla. And neither is this. Look, I need everyone to stand back."

The group spread apart, giving Karla, Evan and Rufus space. Evan waved Johann over. "Listen, I'm going to make a glass saw, and you have to cauterize the wound. Make the blood change on the molecular level. Can you do that, Johann?"

Reno held his hands up. "Whoa, whoa, everyone calm down. Evan, you're not cutting his foot off with a glass hacksaw."

Evan sighed. "Reno, we're out in the open. We're exposed. We have to move. You heard Karla; she's been doing this a long time. She knows what she's talking about when she says it's permanent."

Reno put a hand on Evan's chest and guided him back. "You boys secure the perimeter."

"Reno!"

Nevada arched his brows. "You could do it your way, but the howling and screaming of a man having his goddamn foot cut off will attract attention. We're going to do it my way. Eric, get over here."

Eric approached. "How can I help?"

Reno nodded to Evan and Johann. "Make sure if we're attacked, that we're not killed. You guys have to keep all of us safe." Nevada turned to Eric. "I need you to make a shadow around me and Rufus."

Rue looked up from where he was sitting on the ground. "What'cha got in mind, sparky? You gonna cut it off like a light saber?"

"Something like that, Rue. Lightning will cauterize it. It'll be so hot that you won't feel it right away. Eric will make it so the brightness of the bolt won't attract attention."

Rue looked over at Evan and Johann. "I appreciate the quick thinking, boys, but I'm feeling partial to Reno's way."

Evan nodded in understanding. "I wasn't thinking. Yeah, it's smart." Evan and Johann stepped away, giving Rue and Reno room.

Sinopa approached Evan and said, "I could have been your source of heat had you been the one to operate. We could have worked together. I see the look in your eyes - do not be hard on yourself, Evan-san."

"Thanks," Evan said with a weak smile and a half-heart shrug. "To be honest, it's better this way. I don't want to have to cut off another man's foot unless there's no other way."

Meanwhile, Eric created shadow blinds on all sides of Reno and Eric.

Reno held his hands apart and generated a focused beam of electricity between his palms. He took a deep breath. "Okay, Rue. Rip your pants cuff. I don't want the fabric to catch."

"Wish I could roll it up but it's caught, too." Rue sighed softly and used the strength of his arms to rip the denim cuff. He rolled the remaining fabric up until it was around his right knee. "Man, did you see Blondie's eyes?" Rue glanced at Eric, adding, "It ain't her fault. I don't blame her."

Eric offered a hand to Rufus. "I was mad at you, but you didn't deserve to become handicapped for the rest of your life."

"Tis a fleshwound," Rue joked. He looked from Reno to Eric, then announced, "Monty Python, guys."

Eric sighed. "You and her have more in common than I care to admit. Take my hand, Rufus."

Rue reached up and took Eric's hand. "Look, I appreciate the shake, but..."

Eric firmly clenched Rue's hand, not letting it go. He turned to Reno and nodded. "Do it now."

Reno, with the electric arc between his hands, pushed the bolt forward, creating as much heat as he could generate. It slowly bit into Rue's lower shin.

Rue tensed up, clenching Eric's right hand. Rue's strength, and the power from adrenaline, caused him to sprain Eric's right pinky and ring finger.

The shadows wavered around the group, becoming less opaque. Eric grimaced in pain. The shadows solidified again. Eric drew out his wallet and wedged it into Rue's mouth.

Darken bit down on the leather wallet, groaning in pain. Tears ran down his cheeks from clenching his facial muscles so hard. Rue continued to squeeze Eric's right hand.

Reno pushed the bolt through Rue's lower shin, completely severing the limb. The lightning dissolved.

The remainder of the sock and denim around the ankle burned, giving off a stench that did little to compliment the scent of burnt meat.

Rue grimaced. His lips twitched. He released Eric's hand and spit out the wallet, keeping his eyes on the stump at the bottom of his right leg. "Fucking ... fuck. If I never gotta know wha' that feels like ever again ... it'll still be too soon." He laid back on the street, panting hard. "Stomach ... I think I'mma throw up. Overheated."

The shadows dissipated.

Karla and Elvena knelt down on either side of Rufus.

Karla was the first to speak. "I am _so_sorry, Ruebear."

"Blondie, shh." He took a deep breath. "Sweatin' something fierce, good goddamn."

Elvena looked down at the wallet with the bite mark. She opened it, saw her father's credentials and handed it up to him. "Thank you, daddy. Wait, what's wrong with your fingers? They're swollen."

Eric replied with a half-hearted smile. "I made him hold my hand."

Rue opened one eye and looked up at Eric. "You dumb sumbitch. I could've healed the fingernails in my palms. I cain't heal your broken fingers."

Eric shrugged. "They're not ... they're probably not broken. Look, you were nice to my daughter, so now I'm being nice to you."

Rue sighed through his nose, trying to settle his breathing. "Thanks fer the wallet. I's liable to bite off m' tongue."

"Yeah. I don't know what made me think to do that. Maybe I was trained before I lost my memories. I don't know. But ... you're welcome, Rufus."

Karla looked down at the cauterized stump of Rue's lower right leg. "God I am so sorry I did this to you."

"Shh't. You shush, now. You ain't done it on purpose. I know you ladies like seein' a man vulnerable. Well ... I'm plenty vulnerable now." He saw Karla's expression become even more sour. "I promise, I'll be fine."

Elvena knelt besides Rue and hugged him. "I'll take you to the surface when we find my brother, okay?"

"Shit, doll, I'll be fine."

"Okay," Reno said with a weak smile. "You can cut out the tough-guy act, Rue."

"I'll be fine," Rufus repeated. "Trust me, Nevada. I'll be right as rain. Just calm yer tits, son."

Karla scoffed. "Jesus, I haven't heard that in a while. Rue, I'll teleport you back up to..."

"Nah, quit it! Stop babyin' me, Blondie! I toldja I'mma be fine." He grinned at Elvena, adding, "You keep on hugging me, though, if you wanna. You'sa perdy lil' thing. I'm kinda likin' the attention."

Eric grimaced and turned away. He cleared his throat and announced to the group, "Rufus says he'll be fine. We need to find a place to settle, rest, eat, resupply, and then we have to do reconnaissance. Reno and Karla are in charge of the mission. But first thing is first, we need to find a place to lay low so Rufus can sit or lie down."

No one spoke.

Eric motioned to Karla and Reno. "It's your show."

Karla nodded and looked back down at the cauterized stump of flesh. "God." She cleared her throat and raised her voice to the group. "Okay, everyone, Eric is right. We need to stash the werewolf and see what we're up against. Let's get moving."