"Yeah, I'm not one for destroying my lungs."

"Good to know." He nodded.

A few hours later, they had crossed over into Arizona, keeping to minor roads when they could. At a small shopping mall outside of Phoenix, Electa pulled into a space that was half-hidden behind a Dumpster. Opening the boxes that held Cully's supplies, they examined the stacks of canned food. "Do you think it'll be enough?"

He looked them over, fully comfortable with Electa now. "Depends on the time span. I can ration if you need me to." Not like he ate a lot anyway.

"No. I'd better get some more," she said, looking across at the supermarket that sat at one end of the mall. "I want us to be able to hide out for a long time if we need to."

He nodded in understanding. "You sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure. I'll hurry," she said. "Here--take this, okay?" She reached under her T-shirt and pulled out her gun

He shook his head, putting his hands up. "No, you need it just in case. A-and I'm not a weapon person, that's sadly one thing I've not studied with on hand experiences."

"Please," she begged. "You don't have to use it. Just wave it threateningly at someone if you have to. But I'd feel better if you had it."

Well this softy couldn't really argue when she begged and he felt a strange tug in his chest that sorta said 'Now now, are you going to be a meany and make her worry and cry? *GASP* YOU are a HORRIBLE CREATURE!!! '. And so he nodded. "Okay. B-but I most likely don't have to shoot anyone?"