The Long Road Home

Chapter Thirty

'We will keep in contact.' Ty told them as his group was preparing to move out. 'As soon as the lab is cleaned out and Theo has what he needs, we will catch up with you.' Page nodded frowning.

'Just be careful.' She told the whole group. 'Don't forget what I told you about hugging the walls.' they nodded.

'We got it mom.' Knight teased giving her a wink. 'Stay close to the walls, make no sudden movements and whatever you do, don't run.' Page smiled amused realizing she was lecturing marines on how to survive.

'Sorry.' She told them. 'I am used to dealing with people who have no idea what they are doing.'

'Can I talk to you for a second?' Ty asked motioning to the tree line. Page nodded and walked with him out of everyone's earshot. 'I want you to have this.' He offered her his side arm. 'You won't be able to use your bow until your arm is healed.' Page shook her head not accepting the gun.

'Rippers have better hearing then us.' She told him frowning. 'I shoot that and we will have every ripper in miles raining down on us.' She rubbed the scar between her eyes. 'I'm not so great with guns anyway.' Ty smiled amused.

'I went to boot with a guy who had that same scar.' He said 'Tried to fire a .50 desert eagle one handed and cocked gangster style. Broke his nose and cheek.'

'.357 magnum.' Page chuckled embarrassed. 'Back in that first sporting goods store. I am glad it happened though. If I had fired that thing in the city, I wouldn't be here today.' Ty nodded and holstered his side arm.

'I feel like I am leaving you defenseless here.' He sighed, but Page just smiled.

'You have never seen Kidd shoot have you?' She said 'He is getting good. If anything bothers us, his bow will keep us safe. I still have one good arm and still can swing a mean baseball bat. Those rippers have soft heads. Doesn't take much to crush their skulls.' Ty nodded and gave her a small smile.

'Would you use that bat on me if I gave you a kiss goodbye?' He asked. Page answered by reaching up and grabbing the neck of his shirt and pulling his head down to her. As their lips met, the world turned off and she was filled with warmth. She had known kissing him would be good, however had not expected her body to react to him like this.

Wolf whistles and cheering brought them back to the world. As their lips separated, their eyes met and Page saw the same need in Ty's eyes as she felt. Damning their audience and the circumstances, she sighed and peered at the snickering group.

'Are you trying to draw the rippers to us?' She asked trying not to take her frustration out on the group.

'Come on you knuckle heads.' Ty sighed. 'We need to head out.' Page gave his hand a squeeze before letting it go. Kid joined her and the two watched the group walk off. Kid let out a sigh and she looked to find him frowning.

'I am going to miss having them around.' He said looking to her. 'I really liked Ty too. He is fun to be around.' Page nodded looking back to the group. They had already vanished into the woods and were no longer in sight.

'No use moping about.' She sighed and looked to their camp. 'You said the wheel on your cart was dragging. Why don't we take it apart and see if we can fix it.' Kidd nodded and the two went to work.

Page scowled down at her side. It had been almost three weeks since Ty had shot her and two since him and his team left. Her ribs were still black in color and her shoulder was just turning that sick shade of green all bruises turn. The pain was easing bit by bit every day, but her inability to walk to far, was starting to frustrate her. Page looked toward the interstate.