"Bill I can explain, I just-" Zoey started before Bill raised a hand to stop her. "Zoey, I may be old and getting older but I can still see you with that thing behind you." He said indicating Zoe with one finger as he took another swig of the hard whiskey. "Look I know you've always done what you wanted no matter what I say Zoey but I have to tell you, I thought you had a lot more common sense then this. You went to the most dangerous place in the city, found the most dangerous living thing for miles around, and then you went and brought it home with you like it was a stray puppy." He said taking another long swig.

Louis and Francis didn't really say anything to defend, Zoey gave them a dirty look. "It is not like that Bill. You know they aren't still the same monsters we ran from now that they've been rehabbed. I know you didn't think much of the idea but at least give her a chance. Zoe is a good girl and I am not going to dump her back where I found her if you don't like it." She said looking at Bill irritated as she tried to get Zoe to step out from behind her so Bill could actually look at her. Zoe just clung to her coat trying not to be anymore out there then she already was.

"Well I'll give you one thing she doesn't seem like she has it in her to hurt anything. Still doesn't make this any less of a really stupid idea, we've both seen exactly what happens when you trust monsters. You remember the soldiers don't you, the parents, the children. You can still see all there faces can't you, everyone who trusted one of those things ended up dead. You still remember that church guy to don't you?" Bill asked with a sigh. "He trusted just one person who was turning and it killed him. I just don't want the same to happen to you."

Zoey just stared for a moment. "Bill this is different and you know it, we can't get sick from this and they need our help now. You know what the scientists told everyone about the infected now that they aren't flesh hungry they're just scared and confused." She said in a frank voice as she finally managed to pull Zoe out form behind her. Francis nodded hesitantly and Louis looked like he was about to say something before Zoe mumbled something quietly. "What was that Zoe? We couldn't quite hear you dear." Zoey said in a sweet voice as she looked over her shoulder to see what Zoe wanted to say.

Zoe took a step forward looking down at the floor obviously quite scared. "Hello Bill... My name is Zoe. Please don't be mad with Zoey." She mumbled in Bills general direction. Zoey was surprised to say the least that Zoe would step forward and try to defend her like this especially to someone like Bill who'd showed her such open distrust. Even so Zoe stood her ground and after a moment forced herself to look up from the floor, looking Bill straight in the eyes standing between him and Zoey.

Bill stood surprised for a moment before he spoke. "Well damn... alright I'll give it to you she's got spunk and she isn't ripping my throat out." He said taking a drag off his cigarette again. He took a moment to think as he stared down the girl between him and Zoey. "Alright, Zoey you can do what you want and I can't stop you. Just don't keep me out of things and I don't have a problem with you watching this... girl." He finally said looking unconvinced but at least willing to give it a chance.

Zoey just nodded and motioned for Zoe to follow her out. She was frustrated but at least she had gotten what she wanted out of Bill. His grudging permission meant worlds to her even if they didn't wholly agree, still she could tell that despite his words he wouldn't trust Zoe for a very long time to come. Together they left the building and crossed the street headed for Zoey's house not really bothering to wait for anyone else. Francis and Louis left not long later watching the two of them retreat back inside the house before heading off themselves.

Zoey felt like she wanted to kick and scream or maybe even break something but it made no sense. 'I got what I wanted so why do I feel like complete crap!' she thought to herself as she sat down on the couch with a huff and turned the TV on. The movie from the night before was still on with the menu screen playing on loop and Zoey felt yet another reason to kick herself, she'd forgotten the DVD player again which would drive the electric bill up like no tomorrow, which lead her to turn the TV back off and sigh with frustration.

She'd won her fight and Zoe was at least moderately welcome with her circle of friends. But the way Bill had starred, how Francis had seemed so detached, and Louis being so closed off. She'd gone and screwed the pooch for sure that was why she felt angry with her success, a bit like a kid who gets away with stealing something and feels guilty for it after. When Zoe sat down next to her though a whole new wave of regret washed over her, the poor girl looked close to tears, and protecting her had been the whole damn point.