I missed Agatha. This new teacher didn't smile nearly as much. It was our first day in class and Elisa and Mark didn't seem as happy as usual either. I worked out the math problems in front of me. They were pretty easy compared to what Diane asked me to do, but they were much more boring.

Diane somehow made math fun, much to my amazement since I never did like math. She said math was important though, so I was determined to learn it. A man knocked on the doorframe and I blinked in surprise at him as the teacher went to greet him.

His badge was that of a Mechanic, but I had never seen him before to the best of my knowledge. Diane and I had met quite a few Mechanics since the buses were having such problems starting with the old gas. It would only be several months before they would no longer start at all. Many groups were starting to use horses already.

The teacher asked him to help me and I shifted nervously. I had never done well with strangers and, although Diane said that the stranger danger had mostly passed, I was very uneasy. My shyness was not helping in that area either.

He sat down beside me and I shifted away a bit. I couldn't help it. I continued working through the problems, unsure why this new teacher had asked him to help me. I was doing fine, it was Elisa that really needed extra help with her addition and subtraction.

He occasionally spoke to me to give me hints if I paused to think about a problem or ask questions. I never replied to his questions. He didn't seem overly surprised by my silence. I kept half an eye on him the entire time as I lined up a dozen escape routes like Rick had taught me.

He wasn't a zombie though, so if he lunged for me I would have a very hard time escaping. Diane had taught me a few unorthodox moves against adults, particularly men, that I was only to use in an emergency. If they didn't work, I would be in deep trouble.

After an hour the man left the room. I sighed in relief, my nerves were practically worn out from his close proximity for so long. The teacher commented, "He will be back tomorrow to help you."

I blinked in confusion, "Why? I did most of it myself. Perhaps he can help Elisa with her subtraction."

With luck, he would never return. I would have to ask Diane to see if he was someone I had to worry about. The teacher shook her head, "He is only coming to help you. The sooner you get used to him the better."

I was completely confused now, "Why?"

"He and his wife are hoping to adopt you. It would be much better for you to stay in the base. A child should never go past those gates anyways."

I inhaled in shock, but tried to remain polite, "No, thank you. Diane is my guardian and I will stay with her."

The teacher shook her head with irritation, "She shouldn't be. She was bitten and is far too dangerous for anyone to be around, let alone a child."

That made me mad. "Don't talk about her like that!" I exclaimed.

She scowled at me, "She should have never been made your guardian in the first place. You would be better off with someone else who stays in the Fort."

I stood up angrily, "You are mean. I am not going to talk to you until you apologize for what you said."

She turned her head away from me with a huff. She obviously wasn't about to apologize. I went over to the small table in the far corner and turned my back to her. Elisa and Mark were sitting in shocked silence.

The day passed slowly. The teacher ignored me as I gave her the cold shoulder. I wasn't about to give in. I couldn't believe that she wanted me to leave Diane. Even the Base Commander had given his go ahead for me to go with her. I really didn't like this teacher.

Something made me turn my head, Diane was leaning against the doorway watching me closely. I had no clue what had alerted me to her presence, but I was glad to see her. I ran over for my usual hug as she knelt down to return it.

She released me, "How was your day?"

I glanced at the teacher, who suddenly seemed uneasy, "Not too bad. I am not speaking with the teacher until she apologizes to me though."

Diane seemed unsurprised as she tilted her head, as if she had known something was bothering me, "Why would that be?"

I had to be careful how I worded this. I had never lied to Diane and I didn't want to exaggerate either. That way she would always take me seriously. "She wanted me to stay in the base and never leave. She said that you were too dangerous to be around. I told her that I was not going to speak to her until she apologized for saying that."

Diane's eyes narrowed slightly. She sat back on her heels to regard the teacher with a surprisingly neutral expression. I could tell that it was somewhat forced though. "What is your side of the story?"

That was one thing I had always noted about Diane. She always gave the other person a chance to explain themselves. I was shocked at how many times arguments or small irritations were easily smoothed over like this.

The teacher shifted her weight with a frown, "You should not have children in your care if you were bitten. Taking them outside the fence puts them at risk as well. You should give her up to one of the couples who lost a child."

Diane's eyes narrowed in irritation as they flickered with light, making her eyes almost glimmer. That was a sure sign that the teacher had hit a nerve. It was also a warning flag for anyone who paid attention. She stood up with a smooth movement, her body language told me that she was not impressed.

Diane slowly started walking towards the teacher while staring her down. She removed her archery guard to reveal her old scar and held up her wrist. Her voice was low and even. I could clearly hear the tightly controlled anger on the edge of her voice, "Does this look new to you?"

I was very glad that I was not in the teacher's shoes at this moment. Diane kept walking forward at a very slow and measured pace. The teacher had started backing up at a similar pace. The teacher seemed quite nervous at this point, "No..."

Diane kept her eyes locked with the teachers. "That is because it is almost a year old. If I was going to turn, I would have done so long ago. During that time I have saved far more lives than you or many others in the base have. Only a few days ago murderers were stalking the hallways and you dare to insinuate that I wouldn't protect Laura outside of the fence? I have taken on swifts for people I barely knew and I had less training then than I do now."

I must have missed more than a few stories somewhere along the way. I knew some stories, but I hadn't been aware that she had fought a Swift on more than one occasion. I felt bad for Mark and Elisa who were sitting in the corner with wide eyes. They had probably never heard those stories and they were really interesting. The teacher was unable to come up with a response.

Diane hadn't blinked once yet, "You think it is too dangerous for anyone to go outside of the fence? Try suggesting that to one of the Commanders, that they stop all Raider and Forager groups from leaving. When people wonder why the food is running out, ensure that everyone knows that it was your idea."

The teacher paled at that scenario. Where did she think that the deer meat and greens came from?

Diane continued, "Those who go outside of the fence do so because they want to and they have the training to back them up. No one has had a close encounter since late summer other than Raiders inside of unchecked buildings. Foragers have had more problems with bears and feral dogs than from zombies. Laura was given the choice to remain with Trish or anyone else. She chose to come with me despite the fact that we did explain in detail what it might mean. She knows that Trish would welcome her with open arms if she ever changes her mind. Her room is still held for her."

Diane stared at the teacher. The teacher seemed to realize that Diane wanted a response. She nodded slowly, clearly looking for any escape, "I will keep that in mind."

Diane stared at her for a few more seconds before turning and walking back towards me. She rolled her shoulders and took a deep breath, probably pushing her anger away. She paused beside me and glanced down, "Let me know if she pushes the subject again."

I nodded happily. She had stood up for me and my choices. I was glad that she didn't share the teacher's views. I didn't want to be separated from her. I followed Diane down the hallway in contented silence. I could tell that Diane was still somewhat irritated at the teacher and wasn't really in the mood for idle chit chat.

It really had been quite the insult for her since she had been the one to find and rescue me, help catch the murderers, and more. Even I knew that the teacher's accusation had been way out of bounds.

Diane headed to the playground. No one else was here yet so she pushed me on the swing. I enjoyed the feeling of the wind through my hair.

"Hey Ace, how is it going?"

I glanced back to see Diane looking over her shoulder at the familiar figure. After all of the training Diane did with him and me, his presence didn't bother me anymore than Trish's did. It was a welcome relief after the mechanic this morning.

Ace nodded, "Pretty good, how is life treating you outside of the fence?"

Diane grinned, "Like having my own private condo."

Ace chuckled, "I may have to stop by and see it one day. I have never been in one of them yet. Are you up for more practice tonight?"

She regarded him over her shoulder, "You are more than welcome to stop by the treehouse one day. I was planning on stopping by for practice, but I am curious as to why you seem to want spectators. What plan do you have up your sleeve?"

Trish and Nathan had stopped by once since we moved out, but no one else had dared go past the fence to visit. Trish really didn't like going outside of the fence.

Ace grinned, "People know in theory that we have good fighters. We need them to see that we actually do have some excellent fighters in the base. My plan is quite simple, I am surprised that you have not seen it yet.

"Since you practice with us constantly, people will begin to automatically group you with the better fighters in their minds. Since all of the best fighters are generally highly regarded and hold rank, some of that will unconsciously transfer to you. Meaning that people will be less likely to cause you trouble."

That did make sense. I knew that the general sparring had been taking place in a larger gym where people could gather and watch. Diane grinned, "So at what point do I start winning these matches?" I smiled, leave it to Diane to hold back so she didn't hurt their pride. She was considerate like that.

He laughed, "Preferably not for some time, it means less bruises for us and we can keep our pride intact. If you want a solid workout, let me know and we can arrange a private one before supper one day."

I grinned, those solid workouts usually meant bruises for everyone. Diane may heal overnight, but the others would be sore for a few days if they didn't wear enough padding. Diane tilted her head as if it sounded like a good plan, "How about tomorrow?"

Ace chuckled, "That can be arranged. Are you that eager to renew my fading bruises?"

I giggled, "Wear extra padding, I think she is planning on blowing off steam."

He glanced at me in curiosity, "Why would she be blowing off steam?"

I snorted, "The teacher tried to tell Diane that she wasn't able to take care of me." My lack of shyness around him allowed me to speak my mind more freely than I could with the vast majority of people out there.

Ace inhaled sharply and focused his intense grey eyed gaze on Diane. Diane shrugged as if brushing it off, although I knew it was still bothering her, "After she made her accusation I approached her until she backed herself up against the wall and then I gave her a lecture. If she tries to enforce her opinion, then I will be going to find whoever she reports to."

Ace frowned, "Please tell me exactly what happened."

Diane sighed and told him everything that had happened. Ace was not impressed with the teacher. I had an odd feeling that Ace was not someone you wanted to irritate. I had never seen him irritated until now either.

We slowly walked towards the mess hall for supper. Ace spoke softly, "If you ever get worked up and need to cool down always feel free to come find me."

She nodded, "Thanks, I hope I don't get that worked up though." I knew Diane would never hurt me, but I pitied anyone else on the practice field if she was irritated.

He chuckled, "I could regret that promise. I don't think I have ever seen you overly worked up, just during that fight with the murderers or when we practice with Laura. Even then you just keep us away from our targets. I could get a whole new set of bruises."

Diane chuckled, "Just remind me to go easy on you, or else have me go after those training dummies first."

He grinned and nodded, "I will keep that in mind." Once we loaded up our plates he went to sit with some other friends as we went to join Trish and Nathan.

I was glad that I didn't have to go to class for three more days. I kind of hoped that Diane might allow me to skip those classes since I had studied hard with her. Or maybe we would get a new teacher.

I still would not talk to that teacher until she apologized though.