I dried my plate and put it on the stack of plates. Most people washed whatever plates and utensils they used. It only made sense with so many people. The cooks had enough to wash on their own.

I followed Diane as we headed outside. The seven bells had gone off about five minutes ago and we had heard the trucks pull into the shelters as we were finishing our supper. Many people were still inside eating, so we were one of the first to arrive.

Roland's group was just starting to open up the trailers. We came around the one truck and Diane exclaimed, "Trish?!"

I turned my head and blinked a few times to make sure I wasn't seeing things, but that was definitely Trish and Nathan standing there. Diane went forward with open arms and Trish returned the hug before Nathan passed Cathy back to her. Diane's eyes were shimmering with her happiness, "What are you doing here?"

I went to give Trish a hug as Trish responded to Diane, "Decided to surprise you. We figured we would come here and see what life was like. There isn't much I could do anyways when I look after Cathy all day and Nathan was doing more foraging since the Raiders have more or less been disbanded from the lack of work in that area."

I looked at Cathy, but her brown eyes stared vacantly in my general direction. Hope's ability to focus must be due to the Heartfire. Diane grinned at Trish, "Did Nathan mention that in Roland's hearing?"

A voice from above replied, "Yes, in fact, Roland wants him on his team once they are settled in."

I looked up to see Frances above with a heavy looking bag. Diane found it amusing that Roland was once more trying to get more people with raider experience on his team. Dave's Walmart stop had triggered a friendly competition between those two.

Frances was still looking at Diane, "By the way, you get to give them the tour of the place. Have fun." He turned to walk to the far side of the trailer and drop the bag to someone below.

Diane turned to Trish, "Did they talk your ears off on your way down, or do I have to cover everything?"

"They explained everything in general, so I just need to know where everything is actually located."

Diane started walking and I skipped along beside her. Trish and Nathan walked on the other side of her. Ace also tagged along. Diane nodded, "That is easy enough if you are up for some walking."

Trish nodded easily. Diane took a closer look at Ace who did not seem particularly surprised to see our new three guests. Diane narrowed her eyes at him in a mock glare, "You knew they were coming, didn't you?"

Ace raised an eyebrow with a slight grin, "Perhaps. I couldn't ruin their surprise after all."

Diane tried a swift jab to his kidneys, but Ace dodged her as he skipped out of range with a grin on his face. Trish and Nathan looked shocked at their speed and bantering. Heartfire speed wasn't something you could really prepare yourself for, so I couldn't really blame them. Neither of them had ever watched these two spar to the best of my knowledge.

Diane shook her head, "Traitor."

Ace simply looked amused at her failed attempt at revenge. Diane spoke about the numerous animal coops, shelters, and carved rooms we passed. We eventually headed towards the mess hall since they hadn't eaten yet. Diane made a detour to show Trish the nearest bathroom to change Cathy's diaper while I went with Ace and Nathan to get a table for us.

I had just finished eating, but grabbed a plate for Trish. I knew what she preferred to eat and took her plate to the table with us. Ace walked beside me and Nathan seemed at a loss when it came to starting a conversation.

I mentally shook my head as I took it upon myself to talk as we sat down at a table, "Do you plan to stay in Sanctuary or are you just visiting?"

Nathan seemed surprised that I was talking, but come to think of it, I had rarely spoken at Wainwright Fort unless someone talked to me first. "We are planning to stay, and Roland was very welcoming."

I glanced up as Trish and Diane came over. Trish was holding Cathy and I held up her plate so she could see it, "I grabbed some food for you."

Trish nodded, "Thank you." She turned back to Diane as she resumed her previous conversation, "You mentioned you helped train people. How good are they?"

Diane considered it for a moment, "The ones who are fired aren't far behind me if they train a lot. Any of the people who pass the basic training and have been fired at least six months could easily take on a Guard Group Leader one on one. They are easily able to handle a Swift. Not everyone is interested in training so it really varies person to person. The majority could beat the average fighter pretty easily."

Nathan looked intrigued, "Fired is the term for someone with Heartfire, correct?"

Diane nodded and Nathan continued, "Does it give them that much of an advantage?"

"Yes, most of my abilities are due to Heartfire. They all see the same increases in their physical abilities. After the first three months, most of changes have slowed down considerably and even without any kind of training, they could probably hold their own against an average fighter."

We all looked up as Kerry approached the table. With no plate in her hands, I knew what brought her in this direction. Kerry looked apologetic for interrupting, "Sorry to bother you Diane, but would you be willing to donate more blood later today?"

Diane sighed, but nodded, "When do you want me?"

She smiled, "Whenever you are ready. Preferably tonight though, since we are down to two vials and the traders are heading back out in the morning."

Diane nodded, "I will swing by in a bit." Kerry nodded and went off to get everything ready.

Diane was still the only one who could get her blood to glow. A few others worried that since she was the first one to have the virus, that the ability might be restricted to her, but I really doubted that theory. Diane had the Heartfire virus for almost two years when her blood had first glowed and the Heartfire was known to take its time in giving people the special abilities that it did, like being able to use the heat.

Trish looked confused, "Why would she want your blood?"

Diane sighed, "I am still the only one who can make the virus contagious so far. She takes blood weekly. She can inject it into those who want the Heartfire virus or the blood can be used for anyone who gets bitten by a zombie as an emergency cure."

Trish looked really intrigued. I looked around Diane as I watched her, "Do you want to come watch? Her blood glows and it looks really pretty."

Diane didn't mind spectators and others had occasionally come to watch in hopes of learning the secret to making their blood glow. Trish looked torn and glanced at Diane, "Do you mind if we tag along? I don't want to intrude..." She obviously wanted to come along.

Diane predictably didn't mind as she chuckled, "It isn't much to see. Although I will be down for the count the rest of the evening once I do this."

Trish looked confused, "I don't think I have ever seen you down for the count before."

Diane grinned, "Try making your blood glow and tell me how tired you are at the end of it."

Trish snickered, "Point taken."

We talked while Nathan and Trish made their supper disappear. The mess hall was pretty empty since it much later than usual for supper. Our earlier tour had taken a few hours. Diane pointed out the medical wing that was carved out in the cliff.

Diane donated blood at least once a week, so she knew exactly where she was going. She passed Trish and Nathan a couple of solar led lights that were hanging outside so they could light their way. We hadn't managed to get the lighting in here hooked up to the main solar panels yet, but all of the nurses were fired so it wasn't exactly a top priority.

Diane took a seat in the chair in the small room. Trish and Nathan sat in seats along the wall where Ace had already sat. I stood behind Diane's shoulder as I usually did. One day I would figure out the secret to making my blood glow.

Another nurse was also present and I saw that they had twenty empty vials lined up. There was no chance of them all being used, on a good day Diane held the chill long enough for them to get ten vials. Her record was twelve vials.

It took me a moment to remember that there was a decent sized batch of people who were at the end of their month long wait. We would need additional blood to fire them. It may only take a drop or two to transmit the virus, but the larger the dose, the faster the pain came and went. Diane was more than willing to donate more blood if it meant shortening someone's pain.

Diane eyed up a small glass cooler, "I thought we had four vials left." Only two vials were in the small cooler.

Kerry glanced over at the cooler for a second, "We used one earlier today and Roland needed to replace the vial he carried. A zombie rounded a corner right in front of a couple of people and managed to back them into a crevice along the cliff. Both had small injuries on their hands and arms from trying to keep the zombie from getting a solid bite. Luckily, two fired people raced over and dispatched it. A third ran straight here to get a syringe. The one that ran here pushed himself and he is currently trying to relax on the deck with the muscle pain. The other two should be fine. They are out walking with some friends right now."

That was another reason to always have a spare vial or two of blood on hand. Accidents happened, and sometimes Diane wasn't in the immediate area. People knew if they came to the nursing area that a nurse and a vial of the Heartfire virus was here.

Kerry wrapped the rubber band around Diane's arm while the other nurse was already holding her needle by Diane's other arm. Kerry's brilliant blue eyes went to Diane's face, "Okay, we are ready whenever you are."

Diane closed her eyes in concentration. I tried as well. I chased my emotions and thoughts around my head, but still failed to get a headache. The Heartfire virus somehow managed to prevent frustration headaches as well, otherwise I was sure I would have had one or two of those by now with my lack of success.

Trish and Nathan watched in slight confusion and curiosity. Ace was silently watching Diane. He always came with Diane when she came here, just like I did. Ace's presence also reassured others who were fired. They knew that he would defend Diane if something happened. It was highly doubtful that even a Swift could possibly get into the meadow, but there was a much greater chance of Diane tripping over her own feet or falling off the ladder when she was like this.

"Now." Diane's eyes opened to reveal that they were once more a glowing silver. Trish and Nathan blinked in surprise. Glowing silver blood with hints of the rainbow filled vial after vial. Diane's breathing swiftly grew labored in a way that physical exercise never truly managed.

Trish was beginning to look rather alarmed as Diane seemed to be in distress, "Is she okay?"

I reassured her, "This happens every time. She won't be able to hold it much longer."

Ace glanced at the two guests, but he mostly watched Diane and the doorway. He was alert and his Heartfire was surely stirring deep inside him since my own Heartfire was getting more protective of Diane.

I also knew that if Trish or Nathan approached Diane while her blood glowed that neither Ace nor Kerry would tolerate their approach. They lacked the Heartfire's blue eyes and the Heartfire itself somehow knew it. My own Heartfire made me more trusting of those who were fired, so I knew that it could influence a fired person's behavior.

The nurses got one more vial each before I was proven correct. "Stop." Diane's voice was quiet and exhausted. The nurses removed their needles and Diane put her head between her knees. I knew that she was lightheaded and dizzy. My sight brightened a bit and I noticed that the other three sets of blue eyes were also brighter than usual. This was normal whenever Diane donated blood.

Diane eventually sighed and sat up. Trish was still watching her in concern and had likely never seen Diane tired, let alone like this, "Are you okay?"

Diane nodded tiredly, "Mostly. I will be back on my feet by morning."

Nathan examined her in doubt, clearly not expecting her to recover in anything less than a week, "And between now and then?"

Diane managed to find the energy to chuckle, "I won't be doing much. The walk back to my room is going to be bad enough. I won't even need a run tonight."

Trish suddenly looked mischievous, "Perhaps this is the best time to get revenge for pranked my door the last time you visited..."

I shifted my weight and frowned as my Heartfire stirred in an unpleasant fashion with Trish's jesting threat. I had never been a violent person, so the desire to protect Diane even if it meant harming a friend wasn't a nice feeling. Neither Trish nor Nathan noticed that Ace was eyeing up Trish as her words also triggered his Heartfire's protective tendencies.

I hoped that Trish decided to abandon that plan. If she tried something before Diane went to bed, then it would be too soon for our Heartfire to settle back down. If she made the mistake of trying to sneak into our home, I knew that both Ace and I would hear the door open. Ace would intercept anyone who entered without knocking before they got to the first room.

Diane looked uneasy, but Kerry was back in the room and passed Diane a handful of small amber objects. Diane popped one of the honey disks into her mouth and chewed the sweet thing. It didn't take her long to eat all three, and by then she looked more steady.

Diane shook her head and muttered, "I need to get out of this uncomfortable chair."

The hard plastic chair really did not look like something I would want to sit in. I followed closely behind her as she got up and headed down the hallway. Ace followed behind me and Trish and Nathan trailed after us. Kerry accompanied us on our way out.