Reagan let out a yelp of pain as Sahara dabbed the cut near his lip. He had tissue stuck up his nose which had successfully stopped bleeding.

"Oh stop being such a baby," Alegra snapped from where she was sitting holding a drink. She didn't seem in the least concerned about the cut she had on her forehead or the bruises forming on her arms.

"But it hurts," Reagan protested. He winced as Sahara dabbed it again.

"Sorry," Sahara told him.

"Why don't you just take it quietly like your brother?" Alegra growled.

"Because he's out cold!" Reagan shot back.

"Oh, right," Alegra said.

All eyes turned to Terrell who was eating a lollipop while watching from the corner. "What?" he asked innocently. "We were out of painkillers. He said it hurt and he didn't want to feel it anymore."

"That's not really a request to be knocked out," Orion murmured.

"Sure sounded like it to me," Terrell replied. "Hey, Noah, leave that be!" he yelled.

Noah peeked out from where he had been rummaging around in the area where Terrell slept.

"Stop going through things, it's rude," Terrell told him.

"Hey, just curious to see this new place of yours," Noah replied. He made his way to the stairs and began to head down. "And I agree with your friends. Knocking the dude out might have gone a bit too far."

Sahara shot a look to where Arden lay on the couch, not aware of anything going on. "Will he really be alright?" she asked worriedly.

"Fine," Terrell waved it off. He turned to the box next to him which was filled with a bunch of first aid kit. Pulling out something, he headed over to Sahara. "He might just be a bit dizzy when he wakes up."

"Dizzy? More like have a splitting headache. You don't exactly go easy on those punches," Noah told him with a wince.

"I'm guessing you've been at the end of one of those before," Orion said as he looked up from where he had been applying a bandage to his hand.

Noah grinned in reply.

When he reached Sahara, Terrell grabbed her arm and turned her in his direction. He tore the paper in his hand open and pulled out a small band aid. Sahara stood, frozen as he placed it over the cut on her cheek.

Noah watching with raised eyebrows. "This isn't too bad of a place," he commented, "Lots of space."

"Not enough for you," Terrell said as he turned to give him a meaningful look.

Noah raised his hands in defense.

"Say you'll pay rent and he'll be fine with it," Alegra commented.

Noah grinned. "Still stingy with points are we, Terrell?" He paused as Naomi, who had been watching him the entire time, walked up to him. She stood right before him and then pointed a finger.

"I have decided," she announced.

"On what?" Noah asked with a bemused expression.

"Your name."

"He already has a name," Reagan told the little girl as he began to pull the bloody tissue from his nose.

"That's okay," Noah assured him. He turned to Naomi. "And what is this name?"

Naomi's face grew very serious. "Blue, the second," she told him.

Reagan slapped his forehead only to wince at the action.

"Ha," Terrell said, "It suits him."

"Wait...why second? Who's the first?" Noah asked.

"Her pet whale," Orion didn't look up from the cut he was tending too as he said it.

"A whale?" Noah looked horrified. "You named me after a whale. Why?"

Naomi touched her hair.

Slowly Noah lifted his hand to touch his own. "Ah," he said catching on. "You have a point there."

Naomi nodded.

"Now, how about you tell us exactly who you are?" Orion asked as he got to his feet.

Noah stared at him for a moment, as though not used to the directness Orion had about him.

"I see you like to get to the point." Noah grinned. "Alright then..." he shot a look at Terrell, as though asking for permission. "I'm a friend of Terrell's."

"A friend?" Alegra asked.

"Yeah, we go way back," Noah added.

Alegra turned her attention to Terrell. He simply shrugged.

"You're not very specific," Orion told Noah. "Terrell may know you but...someone just turns up and helps us in our little scuff and then comes back with us..."

"You don't trust me," Noah said.

"This is Regona," Orion replied.

Noah nodded in agreement. "All too true." He turned to Terrell. "You could call us brothers I guess."

"You're brothers?" Naomi asked. "But he doesn't have blue hair." She pointed at Terrell.

"Not by blood," Noah grinned.

Alegra's eyes narrowed. "Through a crew?"

That got Sahara's attention.

Noah scratched his head, as though uncertain on how to continue.

"He's trustworthy," Terrell spoke up.

"Is he?" Alegra asked.

"Are you?" Terrell shot back.

That made Alegra pause.

"As a matter of fact, is anyone?" Terrell said.

Sahara looked around. Orion and Alegra both didn't meet any eyes and Reagan shifted uncomfortably. Naomi was the only one who didn't seem affected as she hummed a tune to herself while searching around the room for something; most likely Mo.

"Besides, you don't need to worry. Noah was leaving anyway." Terrell turned to him.

"Alright, I get it." Noah sighed. "But first," he pointed at Terrell, "We need to have a talk."

"Will it make you leave?" Terrell asked.

Noah nodded.

Letting out a sigh, Terrell grabbed a can of some sort of drink and headed for the door.

"Nice to meet you all," Noah told the group before he hurried on after.

Sahara blinked in surprise as the two guys disappeared.

"Well that's not suspicious in the least," Alegra muttered.

"He's right, it's none of our business," Orion said as he turned his concentration back to nursing his wounds. "I shouldn't have asked," he added.

"I have a feeling I'm not going to see too well tomorrow," Reagan commented as he gingerly touched his left eye which was slowly but surely swelling. "If only Serina were here I would feel better."

"She doesn't know you exist," Alegra told him.

"One can dream," Reagan shot back. He walked to the couch and gazed down at his brother. Reaching out a hand he waved it in front of his twin's face. There was no reaction. "Ah," Reagan said as he sat down with his back to the couch. "I'm bored."

"You just were in a fight, how are you bored?" Orion asked.

"Dunno." Reagan shrugged.

"By the way," Alegra's eyes narrowed as she got to her feet. "Wasn't that fight all your fault?"

"Anyone else feeling tired?" Reagan asked as he stretched. "I think it best if we all slept and looked at things with a new perspective tomorrow."

"You're dead." Alegra lunged for Reagan.

Letting out a yelp, the younger twin made a dash for the other end of the room. He took refuge behind a table.

"Please don't kill me!" he begged.

"Why not?"

"You'll miss me!"

"We can just pretend Arden is you," Orion said calmly as he pulled up a screen on his bracelet. Pulling out his glasses, he put them back on.

"You don't mean that," Reagan told him as he dodged to the right just in time to avoid Alegra.

"You almost got Sahara killed," Alegra growled. Orion nodded to that one. "That in itself is unforgivable!"

"I'm fine, really," Sahara squeaked. Truth was she probably had the least wounds out of everyone in the room.

"Orion?" Alegra asked.

"He has been deemed fit for execution," Orion said calmly. He didn't seem to want to say anything to make Alegra's anger turn on him.

"Come on!" Reagan protested. He turned and fled as Alegra lunged.

Sahara sat down and watched. It's good to be home, she thought. Home, she blinked in surprise. When did I start calling this place home?

"What you thinking about?"

Sahara turned to see that Naomi had clambered up on the chair beside her.

"Just how much everyone here has become like family," Sahara told her.

A smile spread over Naomi's face. "That's right." Her head bobbed up and down. "Terrell is my daddy, you are the mommy, Alegra is..." she thought for a moment, "also my mommy. Orion is my uncle, and Arden is my brother."

"What about Reagan?" Sahara asked curiously.

Naomi turned to face her. With wide eyes she leaned closer, as though wanting to tell her a secret. "I think he's a bit weird."

Sahara grinned as she turned back to see Reagan standing on the table. He danced around, avoiding every lunge Alegra made. Arden was still on the couch and Orion's full attention was on the screen before him.

"Want to see a hologram of my old family?" Naomi asked.

Sahara turned to look at her in surprise.

Not waiting for an answer, Naomi excitedly pulled up a screen on her bracelet. She tapped around for a while before a hologram popped up. Leaning forward, Sahara was able to make out a pretty lady with curly brown hair. Her eyes sparkled and her mouth was opened as though she were laughing as she leaned onto an equally handsome man with brown eyes. Standing in front of them, with her mother's arms around her, was Naomi with a wide grin on her face.

Sahara leaned closer. She furrowed her brow as she glanced at Naomi.

"How old is this hologram?" she asked.

Naomi scrunched up her forehead. "Just before the virus," she said.

Three years ago, Sahara noted. Yet then how was it possible that the Naomi in the picture looked almost to be exactly the same as the Naomi beside her? In three years, the little girl didn't seem to have changed much at all. Weird, isn't she supposed to be four in that picture? She's pretty big for that age...

"Naomi!" Alegra called as she caught sight of the two. "What are you doing?"

Naomi looked sheepish as she quickly made the hologram disappear. "Nothing," she said.

Alegra narrowed her eyes, yet Naomi avoided her gaze.

Did she do something wrong? Sahara wondered.

"Come on, it's time for bed." Alegra turned her attention away from Reagan who let out a sigh of relief.

Naomi trotted over to Alegra without another word. Sahara watched her go.

"I'm guessing sleep is a good idea," Reagan said as he got off the table. He kept his eyes on Alegra the entire time, as though making sure that she wouldn't change her mind and come after him again.

"Huh," Orion commented.

"What?" Sahara asked.

Orion looked up, a smile on his face. "Our last race seems to have shaken things up a bit."

"Really?" Reagan asked as he clambered over eagerly. He gazed over Orion's shoulder. "We're all over the chat rooms!" he exclaimed.

Sahara headed over.

"Looks like a seven year old beating a crew in a race really got their attention," Orion agreed.

Sahara saw a bunch of conversations flashing across the screen before Orion. They all had the name 'Falcon' mentioned in them somewhere.

"What does this mean?" she asked.

"We've got the attention we wanted," Orion told her.

"So?"

"Now we wait for the challenges."

Sahara felt relief fill her. "So, things will move faster now?"

Orion nodded while Reagan poured over the conversations.

"I should probably let Terrell know it worked." Sahara beamed.

The guys didn't say anything, their attention on the screen.

Turning, Sahara shot a glance towards the door. Terrell wasn't back yet, but he had been gone for quite a while. "I'll be right back," she told the two guys as she headed off. Upon reaching the courtyard she paused. There was no sign of Terrell. "Oh well," she murmured as she turned to go back in.

That's when she heard voices drift over. It made Sahara pause. Turning, she headed into the direction that they were coming from. She found herself come up to a pile of boxes. The voices were coming from behind.

"Alright, alright, I get it." It was Noah.

Even though she knew it wasn't right to eavesdrop, Sahara couldn't help but stand there silently.

"So you're staying here for the time with the Falcons."

Terrell didn't reply.

"Seems like you're quite fond of them," Noah added.

Sahara peeped through a hole between two boxes. Though it was getting dark, she was still able to make out the two guys.

"Does it?" Terrell asked as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Hey, if you ask me it's good you're hanging out with a crew like them. At least it's with someone. Before I finally ran across you I thought you were doing who knows what around the city. I was already getting ready to help all those poor girls get over their broken hearts." Noah grinned after he said it.

Terrell punched him on the shoulder.

"I was surprised, but it looks like you might have actually settled for someone," Noah turned more serious as he rubbed his shoulder.

Settled for someone? Sahara furrowed her brow. Had Terrell gotten a girlfriend? She felt a pang and yet ignored it.

"What makes you say that?" Terrell muttered.

"Seriously?" Noah's grin widened. "I somehow doubt you'd stay this long in one place otherwise, not to mention you haven't changed that bracelet in the last few months, have you?"

Terrell dropped the empty can he had been holding and kicked it. "So?"

"It's not like you." Noah shrugged. "Just saying, thought you were trying to not leave a trace. Now I won't be surprised if he knows you're around."

Sahara leaned closer.

"Don't care," Terrell muttered.

"Thought it was part of the plan to not let him know."

"Doesn't change anything. He would have found out eventually," Terrell replied. He played with one of the many black bracelets on his arm.

"You going to at least meet him then?" Noah asked him somewhat more quietly.

Terrell looked up. "Don't want to, but I might have to sooner or later."

"What does that mean?" Noah asked.

Terrell waved him off.

"Well, you know what you're doing...I guess," Noah murmured. He scratched the back of his head. "Still don't get why you didn't at least drop by to say 'hi' once."

"Didn't feel like it," Terrell replied.

"Awe, come on. Ain't we best friends?" Noah moved closer, his eyes narrowed. "What kind of friend doesn't turn up for over a good year? I mean, I had to hear it from some of the other guys who saw you around."

Terrell placed a finger on Noah's forehead. "You're being nosy as always," he told him as he pushed him away.

"I get it, I get it." Noah shook his head. "But seriously," he looked at Terrell, "when are you coming on back?"

Back where? Sahara pressed her eye up against the hole, as though seeing more would help her hear better. Her heart beat with the adrenaline of listening in without either guy knowing.

"There's no need," Terrell replied.

"No need?" Noah repeated.

Terrell shrugged.

"They're getting restless," Noah had turned completely serious.

"I'm sticking with what I said," Terrell replied. "The plan doesn't require me there."

"I know. But why don't you at least come by some time? Show your face and let everyone know you're doing fine."

Terrell ignored him.

"You've been gone for quite a while. They're beginning to..."

"I'm not their babysitter," Terrell told him.

"No, you're not," Noah agreed. "Yet you're the only one they'll ever listen to."

"What are you trying to say?"

"You might need to put things back in order...before they get out of hand."

"They'll behave," Terrell replied.

"If you're around, yes. But you know how things get when you're not."

Terrell shrugged.

"Marcus has been acting up, Roman all but disappeared..."

"He'll come out sooner or later."

"When you do he will. Do you even know where Troy has ended up?"

Terrell looked at him. "Right where I put him," he said.

Sahara cocked her head to the side. None of this was making any sense. She was hoping for something, anything that would tell her more about Terrell's past.

"Yeah, he wasn't too happy about that one," Noah noted. "If it had been me I would have flat out refused."

"Troy listens," Terrell replied.

"He's like a puppy always wanting to please," Noah said.

"A puppy?" Terrell asked.

Noah shrugged. "The point is everyone's been restless. Even the ones placed. Don't even get me started on those who aren't."

"Give them something to do," Terrell replied calmly.

"You know that's hard...seriously Terrell, things may escalate some. I know this is for the best, but it's kind of hard keeping a beast like a cheetah on a leash. Cheetah's were born to run, just like a bird is made to fly and a fish to swim."

"What is it with all the animal references?" Terrell asked.

Noah shrugged. "Thought they made me sound like a philosopher."

"Makes you sound more like an idiot," Terrell replied. "And why did they send you? You do the worst job at convincing anyone."

Noah put his head to his forehead and pinched the bridge of his nose, as though trying to calm himself. "They didn't. I thought it was time I found you. Things were fine the way we used to be...they worked. But ever since that time..." he trailed off as Terrell glared at him.

Sahara shivered. Terrell was giving off a dangerous feeling which seemed to be telling Noah not to say anything more on the matter.

Noah didn't seem about to be put off. "Terrell..."

Terrell cut him off, "Let it be."

"Right," Noah nodded. "Stubborn as always." He watched Terrell for a moment. "It wasn't your fault..."

"I said," Terrell's fist clenched, "leave it be."

"I get it," Noah held up his hands. Then, a grin alighted on his face. "Guess I really suck at this whole convincing thing?"

"It needs quite a lot of improving," Terrell agreed as he relaxed once more.

"I'll work on it," Noah told him.

Sahara felt surprised at how quickly the tension disappeared. Noah really knows how to tread around Terrell, she realized.

"But seriously, you're with the Falcons now?" Noah asked.

Terrell shrugged.

"And you're not letting me in any of the fun." Noah sighed. "A pity. It seems like things are getting pretty heated up around them."

"That's the plan," Terrell replied.

"What plan?" Noah asked.

Terrell shook his head, a smile tugging at the edge of his lips. "Let's just say I'm helping a friend out."

"Always the one to do things on your own." Noah shook his head. "Still, didn't think you wanted to hang around somewhere that's going to have eyes turned on it."

"Maybe I'm getting bored too," Terrell muttered.

Noah grinned as he threw an arm around Terrell's shoulder. "Just try not to turn things on their head," he said.

"Have I ever?" Terrell asked.

"Ha!" Noah chuckled. "Always. Still remember when you almost burned our school down back in those days."

They went to school together? Sahara wondered.

Terrell scowled. "It wasn't on purpose."

"That's not what our teacher thought," Noah replied. "Good old Mr. Terry. Never thought I'd say this, but I kind of miss the old fart."

"Are we done?" Terrell asked in a bored tone.

"Alright, alright." Noah removed his arm from Terrell's shoulder. "It was great catching up. Got to say I kind of missed having someone who actually listens for once around. Marcus is always on the go and Roman never says more than two words. Troy's just as..."

"Good night, Noah," Terrell told him as he turned away.

"Yeah, I get it." Noah made a motion and his board zoomed towards him. "I'll let the others know you're still kicking and doing fine."

Terrell snorted.

"Might make them behave for a bit. Though they'll be bound to want to drop by, see for themselves."

Pausing, Terrell turned back around. "If anyone turns up here, it'll be your hide," he said.

"You'll have you're peace," Noah replied.

"Good." Terrell headed towards the back door of the warehouse.

Noah watched him. "Terrell!" he abruptly called.

Terrell paused.

Noah brushed a hand through his hair. "Say, does my hair really look that ridiculous?"

Terrell eyed him. "It makes you stand out," he said after a moment.

"Good." Noah grinned.

Without another word, Terrell headed back in as Noah got on his hoverboard.

Sahara turned away as she tried to make sense of what she'd just heard. Out of the little she'd understood she'd only been able to make out that Noah and Terrell really did go way back. It also seemed that there were people waiting for Terrell somewhere. Does he already have a crew? Sahara wondered. But then why would he be here? He was on his own when I met him. Maybe they split up? It didn't make sense to her.

"Yo."

She jumped in shock at the voice. With wide eyes she turned to find that Noah had silently boarded around the corner and right up to her. He was gazing down at her from his board, curiosity on his face.

Sahara's face went red as she realized she had been caught in the act. "Um...ah..." she tried.

"Sahara, right?" Noah asked.

Sahara nodded.

"Say," Noah paused. "Has Terrell raced at all while he's been with you?"

Surprised at the question, Sahara could do nothing but shake her head.

"Still, huh?" Noah murmured. He let out a sigh. "Guess he's not just there yet. Though, he has changed..." He looked at Sahara. "I'm thinking that you're to thank for that."

Sahara didn't reply, still shocked at Noah's sudden appearance.

"It's in a good way," Noah told her, seeming to think her silence was because she wasn't sure what he was trying to say.

"Oh," Sahara said.

"Who knows...maybe if it's you he'll get over that..." he trailed off. "Never mind." A warm smile spread across his face. "I don't know you well, but I guess I can see why those guys follow you."

"Those guys?" Sahara asked.

"The Falcons," Noah helped her out.

"Ah."

"It's the first time I've really heard of a crew following someone who can't really board all too well."

Sahara's eyes widened in shock.

"Oops." Noah held a finger to his lips. "It's a secret."

"H-how did you...?"

"I consider myself somewhat of an expert." Noah grinned. "Wasn't too hard to figure out after seeing you board. But hey...don't worry, you seem to have done a lot of work. Got some solid foundation to make for a good boarder."

"Terrell's teaching me," Sahara blurted.

Noah looked surprised at that. "Seriously?"

Sahara bit her lip.

"Well I never." Noah shook his head. A smile appeared across his face. "I guess you shouldn't worry about anything then. Though by the looks of it, you're crew would follow you even if you couldn't board at all." He must have seen Sahara's confused look. "There are a few people out there who were born to lead in their own way," Noah told her. "You find yourself following them without question because you just know they'll never let you down."

"You sound like you're speaking from experience," Sahara noted.

Noah's grin widened. "Just promise me that if you heard anything while standing here, you'll keep it to yourself."

Sahara's face went red once more. So he did know she had been eavesdropping.

"Usually I'd have to make sure you wouldn't talk...but Terrell trusts you, so I do." Noah turned his board into the opposite direction. "I should probably get going before the city gets too crazy with the sun gone and all. Don't feel like another fight tonight." He turned his head and shot Sahara a wink. "Look after him, would you?" He boarded off.

"Look after who?" Sahara called after him.

Noah's reply was laughter before he disappeared.

Feeling baffled, Sahara turned back to the warehouse. She certainly had no idea what in the world was going on. Shaking her head, she went back inside. Alegra and Naomi had gone to bed, Orion was sitting in front of his hologram screen, and Reagan had pushed his brother over so there was barely enough space for him to squeeze on the couch with him.

Terrell looked up from where he was sitting next to Mo, stroking the purring cat.  "You go for an evening stroll or something?" he asked.

"S-sure," Sahara stuttered.

Terrell raised his eyebrows.

"I'm going to bed, goodnight," Sahara said as her face turned red. She hoped he didn't see it.

"Night," Orion said without looking up.

Sahara kicked off her shoes and lay down on her mattress. Look after him, would you? Noah's voice echoed in her head. She could hear her heart racing. Look after who? she heard herself ask. She pulled the blanket over head. Truth is, she had known exactly whom Noah had meant. Turning around, she begged for sleep to come.