Outcast Villiage

Chiquita slowly stood and stretched, yawning softly.

---

"If there's no need for her to be here, she might as well go somewhere she can be productive."

"Do you hear yourself? You sound pathetic."

"Go and get some sleep."

"I'm looking after her properly this time."

---

Chiquita nodded quietly. "If I can there's a baby on my bed."

"I'll move her,"

"By what? Keeping her solitary?"

Chiquita nodded quietly and waited for him to leave first.

---

"By keeping her safe."

"This is the safest place for people like us."

He left first.

"Believe me, I know safe. Being on the run does that for you."

---

Chiquita waited until he was out if sight and quickly walked downstairs before making her way outside and sitting down in the cold air.

"Look, I already want to punch you for what you've done to Alex, carry on Ranger and I'll do more than that."

Xander picked up his niece.

"Then tell me what use Citlali is here."

---

Chiquita wriggled her way to be laying out in the snow, closing her eyes and relaxing.

"She isn't here to be used, she is here to be safe, if she wants to be a defence like I am then that's her choice, if she wants to stay, then that's her choice."

"She doesn't know how to assess risks. She'd be in danger here."

Evelyn put Anjuli down, and she suddenly punched Ranger. "You get the fuck out, Citlali can stay, but I don't want to see you within 5 feet of this house. Moira is better off without you."

Citlali had lowered her phone to watch the spectacle with wide eyes, looking unsure.

Ranger staggered back and cradled his jaw, swearing.

"I said get out Ranger!"

"I don't think you have to power to decide whether or not anyone stays in this building!"

"If I feel that they would cause trouble for everyone else, then if can."

"I don't see how wanting to keep Citlali safe is a bother for the people in this building if she isn't here!"

"No I'm telling you to get the fuck out because you cause too much trouble."

"Then she's coming with me!"

"Uncle Darren abused me the two weeks I was there," Citlali suddenly said quietly. "Don't let me go back."

Ranger froze in his argument.

"Well that was random."

"Its not random at all. Darren's was where she stayed while recovering. He was...He was part of the numbers project but defected so I thought I could trust him. Didn't think he'd hurt her. His speciality was your one, Steel."

She raised an eyebrow. "Speaking of him, where is he?"

"I wouldn't know." Ranger was scrolling through his contacts on his phone to find another place for them to go.

She pulled out her phone and called him.

The phone rang out without being answered, Ephraim either not hearing it or having it on him.