“Well, you've got Red all worked up. Even I could never do that. I think she's fallen for you," Natasha said, her remaining jealously ebbing then flowing away.

Jane's eyes opened, complete with tears.

"Natasha . . ." came a plaintive, questioning voice.

Natasha was floored. Jane hadn't said a word in days, but now she was doing just that to the person who knew her the least.

"Yes?"

"I... I need you to kill me."

The Strays had been arguing for quite a while, trying to figure out what their goals were and whether or not they should pull up stakes and head for a new location.

"But the enemy knows our weaknesses and our defenses now!" Red said.

"I don't like it, but we have to leave the den and get set up somewhere new!"

“But at least here, WE know our defenses as well. We try and set up shop elsewhere, and we might not be ready 0

“Tarloh, we're a small group now. We don't have the manpower to defend this space anymore. We have to rely on speed and mobility, and we don't have that down here," Red finished, almost softly.

"This is my home too, big guy. And you know I don't like running. But I like the idea of the few of us that are left dying even less."

"Where would we go?" Anya asked.

"We've got running water and electricity right here!"

Chris raised his hand.

“Listen, I know a place that just might work.

There's this ol' slaughterhouse a couple miles off the interstate .

I'm sure we could get what we need runnin' again and "

Tarloh interrupted.

"Don't forget that we still have a job to do.

How can we protect the people of this city if we're not a part of it anymore? I know the place you're talking about and it's way outside the city Limits."

Nathaniel was looking pensive.

“We've got to guard our own asses too," he said dejectedly.

"Most of us can get to town quickly enough . . ."