When Snow left she winked at Raven. Wolfe slowly stood and walked over to Raven, "I want to show you something," he stated firmly.

--

When Nic got there Laurel was loading one of the big guns, probably the one that had bruised her shoulder yesterday.

Raven didn't say anything, waiting for Wolfe to keep talking or start leading him somewhere.

--

Nic made his presence known as he walked over to her.

Wolfe paused and then suddenly picked Raven up, throwing him over his shoulder as he walked out the back door.

--

Laurel looked both ready to cry at any moment and pissed off at the same time. It seemed like the two emotions were canceling each other out and creating some strange calmness as she continued to prep the gun. She ignored Nic.

That threw Raven completely off and left him rather stunned. After awhile he managed to ask, "W-What are you doing?"

--

Nic watched her for awhile. Then as she was getting in position to fire, he chimed in gently to help her hold the gun so it wouldn't hurt her shoulder so much.

"Stealing you," Wolfe stated, still serious as ever.

--

Laurel took the help and then fired off the whole round. She wasn't half bad, with more practice she'd be a decent shot. It looked like the gun had helped with the anger but left the sadness. She cussed quietly in frustration as her eyes misted, looking around for another gun she could fire off.

"Huh?!" Raven said, sounding kinda distressed.

--

Nic didn't stop Laurel.

After a moment a faint chuckle came from Wolfe.

--

Laurel found a loaded pistol and began to fire. She was much better with the pistol, a very decent if not good shot. But the shots started to get astray as tears clouded her vision. She cussed again, trying to wipe the tears away with her hands, seeming to forget she still had a loaded gun in one of them.

[...]

"What's going on?" Raven asked.

--

Nic didn't interrupt Laurel while she had the loaded pistol, trusting that she wouldn't shot either of them. When the gun was empty, he walked closer to her. "... It doesn't help," he told her. It wasn't clear if he said it from observation or experience.

"I want to show you something," Wolfe repeated as they approached a boat. Yes, Wolfe was willingly getting on a boat.

--

Laurel turned to look at him for the first time, "... what... helps?" she whispered, tears still on the verge of dropping.

Raven didn't say anything more, surprised Wolfe was willing to get this close to the water again so soon.

--

Nic was silent for a long moment. "... Haven't found anything yet," he whispered.

Wolfe sat Raven down in a seat before going up and steering the boat with ease before bringing it up to speed, "Secure yourself," he stated, Wolfe's way of saying with was going to be a long ride.

--

Laurel continued to stare at Nic as the tears started to drop, "Th... That's... n-not helpful," she informed him with a little sob.

Raven braced himself a little before realizing he had misinterpreted. He glanced back at the resort for awhile before getting a little more comfortable. After a few minutes it became difficult to hide the weariness in his face. So he tried to take a nap.

--

Nic didn't say anything as he brushed a few of Laurel's tears away.

Wolfe looked back at Raven for a moment before clicking a few buttons. An overhang quickly covered the boat, sealing if off from the wind and cold air. "There are blankets in the bin beside you," he informed him.

--

Laurel grabbed Nic's hand as he touched her face and pressed her cheek against his palm, squeezing her eyes shut. There was definitely something weighing heavily on her.

Raven blinked at the overhang before taking a look in the bin. He grabbed a blanket before dozing off.

--

Nic didn't say anything, letting her speak if she wanted to.

It was a few hours later when Wolfe stopped the boat at a forlorn and dilapidated dock. He glanced back to see if Raven was still asleep.

--

After a very long moment, Laurel whispered, "I love you..."

Raven was still asleep.

--

Nic didn's say anything, not sure why she brought that up now.

Wolfe paused a moment before putting a sensor on Raven's head which would inform him of when he woke and then set off on the island on his own.

--

Laurel was quiet for another long moment, "I... love you," she whispered again as if trying to convince herself of something.

About half an hour later Raven started to wake and scratched his head. He sat up and played with the sensor for a moment before taking it off and blinking groggily at it.

--

So Nic waited.

It beeped and then shut off.

--

Laurel kept repeating it over and over periodically but it didn't seem to be helping the way she wanted it to.

Raven stared at it another moment before putting it down and stretching before looking around for Wolfe.

Within three minutes, Wolfe arrived. "Follow me," he told Raven as he turned back to the jungle infested island.

Raven seemed a little worried, but he trust Wolfe and followed after him.

They were walking for a long time through the tropical jungle. It was hot and muggy and bug infested but Wolfe didn't seem to notice. He stopped after a half-an-hour to toss Raven a water bag.

Raven was doing pretty well. He took a drink and was quickly ready to keep going.

So Wolfe kept going. After another half-an-hour they reached a clearing. It was a strange clearing. It looked like a weird type of farm. All of the types of plants looked tropical but were not recognizable. Wolfe glanced around before starting off towards a small, dome house structure.

Raven looked around as they walked, interested in the different plants. But he didn't say anything as he kept following Wolfe.

Before Wolfe could knock on the door, it opened. Out stepped a tiny middle aged man, he looked of tribal descent and wore only a pair of shorts. He grinned up at Wolfe and then at Raven from a good foot and a half height difference. "So you brought th' farmer, huh?" he exclaimed the Wolfe who nodded.

"Toby crossbreeds plants," Wolfe stated to Raven, "Best in the business though he chooses... less than desirable living arrangements."

Toby chuckled hoarsely, "Nut everyone in the world can afford to be as dirt phobic as you!"

Raven was surprised, but smiled at Toby. He chuckled a little at his poke at Wolfe.

Wolfe sniffed a little before getting over it, "Raven's friends are plants," he told Toby, "so show him around."

Toby chuckled as he focused on Raven, "I assume you've not grew tropical plants," he grinned.

"Not like these," Raven replied looking around at the field again.

So Toby led him around, first showing him how he crossbreeds different plants. Picking off fruit for Raven to try. He had interesting irrigation methods and different fertilizers. As long as Raven seemed interested, Toby showed him. Wolfe, meanwhile, was resting under a tree which he claimed was cleaner than Toby's house.

Raven was very interested in everything. He was clearly knowledgeable with plants and farming. He asked all the right questions and noticed the little details that made a difference. He didn't seem to loose interest, but it was becoming difficult for him to keep up the energy.

Toby noticed and paused from showing his the life pattern of a crossbreed orchid, "How about some lunch?" he offered with a kind smile.

"... Alright," Raven replied though he was still interested in learning more.

So Toby had Raven pick a variety of different things as he started up a fire. "Wolfe refuses to eat here," he chuckled as he threw some nut-like things into the fire. "Says it's too unsanitary," he explained.

Raven didn't seem too surprised. "... How did you met?" he asked Toby.

Toby stuck some of the fruits in a pan as he replied, "He ran into me on one of his mission thingies. Comes to visit from time to time, his friends like my fruit."

"... Huh..." Raven said as he watched Toby cook the fruit.

Toby watched him for a moment before going into a lecture on all the ways to use the fruit he was cooking.