A realization

You take a chance and look at Gwen, really look at her for the first time. Her body language is so different from any of the few other short interactions you have had with her. Even though she is preparing to cry, you still sense a level of confidence from her. This is a point she is willing to fight for. Not when you **** her last night, but when she had to leave, and was willing to do anything. Not when her life or body was on the line, but when someone else's was. That's when the truth hits you, and you find it hilarious. You find it so funny so start cracking up. You laugh so hard and so long you end up doubled over, with tears streaming down your face. You really did luck out with this group.

"What's so funny asshat?" You do your best to slow your breathing, before looking up to Lea. She is almost as mad as your first interaction this morning. A glance to Gwen shows that she's openly sobbing, but standing her ground. The woman is clinging tightly to her now, and you think you hear a mutter of 'Loco' from her. None of it phases you. You have an epiphany to explain.

"I just figured it out. How you guys managed to stay alive, and relatively sane for so long. Lea, correct me if I'm wrong, but you are the more sensible one of the pair. The one always cutting through all the bullshit, and making the decisions necessary for the group to survive, not individuals, but the group," She frowns further at your insinuations, "Not that there's anything wrong with that. Me sensing that about you was most of the reason I was willing to risk my life so soon after meeting you. But Gwen.." You turn to her, tears streaming down her face, "I'm sorry Gwen, sorry for everything... I think I speak for both of us when I say that if we made you feel as though you weren't worth anything to the team... we're sorry," Gwen seems more confused and bewildered by your heartfelt apology than you were expecting. You don't even dare glance at Lea right now. You have to continue, "Gwen don't you realize? You're the heart. Lea is going to keep us alive I have no doubt, but you.. You're going to keep us human. Calling us out on our bullshit, making sure we remember right from wrong," You chance a look at Lea now. You think she gets it. She seems to be reflecting something. You return your attention to Gwen "That's why, if you think she should stay.. I'll support that decision." Gwen was back to crying again, only this time she was squeezing the new woman so tight, you think her fragile body just might pop.

"Okay, but we barely had enough to feed two mouths for a week, How are we going to feed four? And what can she do to earn her keep? We can't just have her do nothing," You wish that Lea had let you hold onto that brief moment of warmth before dragging you back to reality, but you guessed that's why she's in charge. Luckily Gwen has a good answer to the first question.

"Those guys had a huge stockpile of food! I saw it briefly. With a good bag, and a couple trips, two of us could get it back here in a day," Gwen looked positively ecstatic to be contributing again. That only left you with one problem to solve.

With the food problem out of the way, you all focus on the new woman. She feels all your stares, even if she isn't looking at you. She starts to panic, and drops out of Gwen's arm, onto her knees in front of you.

"No me tires a los lobos!" Her voice seems raspy, almost underused. Your one year of highschool spanish leads you to believe she's saying something about wolves, and from the look on Lea and Gwen's faces they don't understand much more. This leads her further down into her panic. "Uh.. um.. Joder bien! Uh.. Te follo!" You don't understand any of her next batch of words, and sensing that she's getting nothing from you she turns on her knees to Lea "Te Follo?" She tries to gauge Lea's body language, but she quickly realizes she's making no headway with her either. She walks back to Gwen on her knees, starts sobbing into the girl's stomach. "Uh.. Uh.. Yo se medicina... En Universidad.... Estaba estudiando para ser una doctora... antes de todo." You catch the words doctor, medicine, and university, and it seems the rest of your group do as well.

Just like that, it is settled. Your group is now four strong.