Louie left the Med Wing the next day, Peyton beside her. Everywhere she looked eyes were on her. Some bore the glint of sympathy, while other's the spark of doubt. Her tread was even and her arms hung by her sides. The tense posture she had held for so long felt unfamiliar and useless. The freshly healed scars that crisscrossed her back made her walk with a different sense of strength than before. At the dining area Louie could feel the stares travel with her as she stepped up to Marie.

"Good morning Marie," Louie said.

Her tone was formal, but the edge of command that had been laced though every word before was gone. Marie's smile was bright and genuine.

"Look who's out and about," Marie said. "How are you feeling sweet cakes? I brought this one his food because he refused to leave your bed side. It must have been some adventure you faced out there for him to be so dedicated."

Peyton's expression remained the same, but his cheeks showed a hint of color. Louie gave a small smile.

"We had to look out for each other out there to survive," Louie said. "It became a habit. I guess one that was difficult to drop."

Marie nodded in understanding.

"Of course. Well, I think you were brave to go out there despite what everyone else thinks."

Louie bristled at the words, but kept her face clear of any betraying emotions.

"I just want to say I'm sorry about Chief," Marie said. "He was an amazing man and I'm proud I got to know him."

Grief flooded Louie's body and she choked on the lump in her throat. Breathing deeply, she forced the feeling aside.

"Thank you," Louie said, her voice calm.

"Sure thing. Enjoy your meal."

Louie took the tray from Marie and moved away, walking to her usual table and sitting down. Peyton joined her, his eyes seeming to search her face for the thoughts that floated through her head. They ate in silence, aware of the glances thrown their way and the whispers that preceded the looks. Luther and Jonas settled into a seat opposite Louie, Jonas frowning.

"How you feeling Louie?" Jonas asked.

"I'm fine," Louie said.

Peyton smiled behind his spoon and said nothing.

"Then you want to tell me why Ryland and Mr. Andrews are acting like they are in charge?" Jonas asked, his tone betraying his dislike of the situation.

"They have been running the Compound since Chief passed and I have been in the Med Wing."

Jonas's shoulders relaxed and the frown vanished. Luther leaned forward.

"So you will be taking over now, then?" he asked. "Because there have been rumors buzzing around that Ryland and Mr. Andrews will be taking your place instead."

Louie felt a tinge of annoyance flare up but kept it from reaching her face.

"Or that Peyton will be stepping up as leader," Jonas added.

Peyton's head snapped up and he frowned.

"That's never going to happen," Peyton said.

Jonas just shrugged, his face innocent.

"I'm just saying what we've heard," Jonas said. "People seem to think Louie's weak and can't take care of the Compound. I told them that was the dumbest thing I have ever heard. We know from experience you are one of the toughest people here."

Louie managed a smile, masking the annoyance that was stirring inside her.

"Thanks Jonas," she said. "But there's nothing to worry about. We're having a Council meeting today and everything will be getting settled. Mr. Andrews and Rylan were just filling in. That's all. Everyone knows Chief planned for me to take over and that's what is going to happen."

"Good."

Jonas seemed relieved and Luther's concern had slowly subsided.

"Peyton, are we still doing training?" Jonas asked.

Peyton shook his head.

"I'm not over any of that any more, I passed that job on to someone else. Talk to Marc."

Jonas nodded and stood, Luther following.

"Alright, see you both around," Jonas said.

He waved and was gone. Luther nodded at them and moved away in the opposite direction. Louie looked back down at her plate, but she realized she had no appetite left and slid the tray from her.

"You alright?" Peyton asked.

Louie straightened and pulled her shoulders back. She opened her mouth to say fine, but at Peyton's challenging look the word got swallowed.

"I'll be better once I get this mess straightened out and I am back in charge."

Peyton nodded, looking unconvinced, but kept his thoughts captive.

*******************

The Cage was partial full of Council members as Louie strode in and headed for the platform at the front. Ryland was standing by the podium, talking with his father. As Louie climbed the steps, both men turned to her and their conversation was dropped. Mr. Andrews regarded her with a look of concern and sympathy.

"Good afternoon," Louie said, her tone pleasant.

"Hey Lou, glad to see you made it back to the land of the living," Ryland said.

"I was wounded Rye, not dying," Louie said, a hint of condescension in her voice.

"Well, I'm glad to see it didn't weaken you too much."

Louie stiffened, but let the comment pass.

"Louie, I want to offer my condolences," Mr. Andrews said, his voice heavy. "Chief was one of the greatest men I had the pleasure of knowing. His passing is a great loss to us all. You have my sympathy."

Louie swallowed and nodded.

"I want to thank you both for stepping up in my absence when Chief passed," Louie said, "I know that must have been something of a difficulty for you. I appreciate you filling in for me."

Mr. Andrews bowed his head once. "It was a nothing."

"It's the least we could do," Ryland said. "Since you weren't here to do the job yourself."

"Ryland," his name was a sharp rebuke. "Louie I apologize for my son."

Louie nodded. The volume of voices in the Cage had risen considerably and Louie glanced at the full crowd before her. She looked back to Mr. Andrews and Ryland.

"Everyone's here. I will get the meeting started."

Mr. Andrews gave her a small smile and sat, Ryland reluctantly following. Louie turned away from him. She stepped up to the place she had seen her father stand so many times before. A fresh wave of loss swept over her, but she tightened her shoulders, forcing her face to remain impassive. She felt the usual nervousness of standing before a crowd of people rush over her but stood taller; feeling the tightness of the stitches in her back giving her strength.

"Good afternoon, everyone." Louie said, her voice even.

The Council took a moment to settle. Eventually the Cage became quiet, all eyes on Louie, their thoughts clearly written on their faces.

"I don't want to waste anytime today so I'll dive right in," Louie said. "The Crawler group that the Scouting Party went in search for was discovered and neutralized. It no longer causes a threat to this Compound."

A wave of murmurs rippled through the group as heads towards neighbors and relief spread through out.

"Did you really take them out all by yourself?" a doubtful voice called out.

"No, the Artillery had the privilege of taking out the group," Louie said.

"So you just stood by and did nothing?" another voice called out

"We were merely going out to discover how close the group was to the Compound. Whether it was a serious threat. We ascertained that information and headed back. Our mission was accomplished."

"Then there was no reason to go at all, since the Artillery took care of everything then," someone called out.

Louie bit back the annoyance that shot through her.

"Yes," she said. "There was, because we had no reason to believe that the Artillery were taking out Crawlers. Now we know and that is the end of the discussion. Next subject of business we need to discuss is the appointing of the second in Command. I know that both Mr. Andrews and Ryland stepped up at Chief's passing. So its time to discuss who will be working along side me-"

"I move to elect a new leader," Jacob shouted out.

Louie stiffened, but kept her face impassive.

"On what grounds?" Louie asked, leveling him with a cool gaze.

"On the grounds that you are not ready for this job," Jacob said.

"If that is so," Louie said, "please speak your claims against me. So that it's clear exactly why you wish to go against what Chief had intended before he died." Her tone was smooth as glass with only the barest hint of an edge.

Jacob stood, his stance defiant, his arms crossed over his barrel size chest.

"You're not fit for this position," Jacob said.

"Yes, you have already said this. I'm waiting to hear the reasons as to why."

"You're weak and have no understanding of this Compound."

"And those claims are based on what evidence?"

Louie shifted and felt the scars criss crossing her back, the hidden proof of her strength.

"You returned from a Scouting Party the worst out of all of the members," Jacob said, his voice loud. "We all saw you faint as you came in. And the fact that Peyton had to carry you to the Med Wing. Also emotionally you're not in a state to be leading anyone. You are removed from the Compound and interact little with the members." 

Louie nodded slowly as if giving thought to his accusations. All the while she bit back the annoyance that she had been seen being carried by Peyton when it was the last thing she wanted.

"I see your arguments, Jacob," Louie said. "I understand how you would be think them to be true. As for my weakness, I survived multiple attacks by Crawlers and am still standing before you. If my word is not good enough, than I encourage you to seek out the rest of the Scouting Party. Hear what they had to say on the topic.

"I had sustained multiple wounds and lost a lot of blood, that is why I fainted. If I should have been running into the Compound on a sprained ankle and little blood in my system, I apologize, I'll work on that next time."

Louie caught a glimpse of Marc in a the back smirking at this comment.

"As for my emotional state, I have just lost my father and the leader of this Compound, so how you expect me not to be feeling that leaves me clueless. So far I have not burst into tears or screamed at unsuspecting people. So I don't see my emotional state as an issue. On regards for being removed from the Compound's members I agree completely. I have been removed, but removed and unaware are two completely different things. I have not been unaware.

"I know each member and have worked every day to know every inch of this Compound and how it functions. I know my social skills are not what everyone believes them to be, but I do not see that as a reason to throw away what Chief and I have worked on for the last three years. Now Jacob, is there anything else you would like to bring to the table?" Louie said, her face and posture relaxed.

Jacob frowned, but said nothing and sat back down. All eyes were fixed on Louie, their minds reeling at the girl who stood before them. The girl so different from the one they had known only a month ago. Louie let the silence fill the Cage for a long moment.

"Now," she said. "Since no one else has any arguments about me being leader as Chief intended, I move to appoint Mr. Andrews as second in Command. Ryland as his second. All in favor raise your hands."

Hands dotted the Council, some still wearing shocked and surprised expressions, others looking disgruntled and peeved.

"Alright, motion passed. That's all for today, thank you."

Louie walked off the platform, moving towards Chief's office and stepping inside. There was the faint scuffing of boots and scraping of chairs as the Council stood. The volume of voices rose as they left.

Louie paused, leaning against the closed door. The space looked exactly the same, bookcase packed, desk littered with paper and Chief's chair tucked under. Louie took in a deep breath as she could so clearly picture him sitting behind it. His glasses perched on his nose. A piece of paper in hand. A lump formed in Louie's throat and she swallowed hard, feeling her insides twist. Moving slowly, she stepped further into the office and started examining the papers strewn over the top.

The Cage was quiet now, the last footsteps fading away. Louie pushed the chair back and hesitated for a heart beat before settling into it. She moved through the stakes of papers and then through the drawers. In the bottom drawer she found an envelope with her name scrawled across the front. She pulled it out and traced a finger over the writing, recognizing her father's slated hand. For a long moment she did nothing, but stare at the name. She finally turned it over and pulled out the folded letter inside.

"My lovely Elouise, I have no idea how long I have left and don't know when you will return. So I have decided to write all the things that I hope I will have the time to tell you in person. First off, I love you Elouise. It has been the best part of my life to watch you grow and became the amazing woman you are today."

Louie felt her stomach tighten and her eyes began to sting.

"I know your mother would be so proud to see the person you are. When she died I didn't know how I would manage on my own. She was everything to me, but then you stepped up. I didn't feel the lose as much. Having you by my side the last few years has given me the strength to get up everyday. You are so beautiful and I wish for you the very best in this life.

"This Compound has been my life for the past twenty years and I am honored I got to share it with you. I know that you will be an amazing leader that will help keep this Compound going for another twenty years. I know it's hard to be a leader. The choices we make are for the best though some will disagree.

"I know you will make the decisions that are the best for the Compound, even though they may be difficult. Words aren't sufficient enough to express all that you are to me. I love you Elouise. Chief."

Louie carefully lowered the paper to the desk, as loss poured over her, drenching every inch of her. Her chest felt as if a weight was sitting on it. Every limb felt leaden and the lump in her throat made breathing difficult. Her vision started to blur as she stared at the paper before her. A sharp knock on the door pulled Louie from her muffled thoughts. She stood, blinking rapidly to erase the tears that had begun to form.

"Come in," Louie said, forcing her voice to come out even, as she clasped her hands behind her.

The door eased open and Peyton stepped inside, his gaze jumping around before landing on her.

"Hey, I need to tell you..." Peyton trailed off as he took in Louie's expression and the rigidity in her body.

His eyes flitted to the desk, landing on the paper and seeing the signature at the bottom. He looked back at Louie, his face softening.

"You needed to tell me something?" Louie asked, her voice slightly unsteady with the effort of holding herself together.

Peyton took a step forward.

"You don't have to prove to me how tough you are," Peyton said, his voice soothing. "I saw it first hand. Sometimes actually facing pain takes more strength than avoiding it."

Louie shoulders sagged and she felt as if something inside broke. Tears pooled in her eyes and started streaming down her face. A choked sob broke loose.

"He's gone," was all Louie managed to get out before she was drowned by sorrow.

She buried her face in hands, trying to contain some of the sadness that was flooding her. Peyton moved over to her and wrapped his arms around her. Louie tucked her head beneath his chin. Leaning into his body, she released the weight that had been crushing her over the last few days. As she stood there, cradled in Peyton's strong arms, she let herself, for the second time in that office, just be a daughter. A daughter desperately missing her father.

Louie didn't know how much time had passed. The world around her had melted from her vision and nothing was clear except for Peyton. Peyton and the grief that was filling every aspect of her being.

As the tears slowly stopped coming, Louie became aware of where she was once more. The feel of Peyton's chest beneath her cheek. The sound of his heart beating, steadily. The warmth that was encasing her. The way that in that instant she didn't feel so lost, and the Compound didn't feel foreign resting in his arms.

The last tears gone, Louie didn't move for a long moment, her energy drained. Eventually, she pulled away. Peyton cupped her face and brushed aside the remaining tears with his thumbs. He held her gaze, silently asking whether she was okay or not.

"Thanks," Louie said, her face flushing slightly.

Peyton nodded and took a step back. Louie straightened.

"What is it that you wanted to tell me?" Louie asked.

Peyton waved his hand.

"It can wait," Peyton said, not meeting her gaze.

"Peyton, I'm fine. Tell me."

He looked at her, his face serious.

"I'm leaving."

******************

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