In Midtown Manhattan, the giant fortress gates are opened as Kyle, Shawn, James, Walter, Cassandra and Caleb return in their vehicles with Jake in tow and the food, ammo, medicine acquired from Wal-Mart. The group of survivors exit.
Jake: Midtown Manhattan.....nice.
Kyle: Been living here for three years.
Mitchell and Olivia approach the giant truck, before Walter gives him a brotherly handshake.
Walter: What's up, brother?
Mitchell: What's up, man?!
Olivia: Good to see you've all made it back in one piece.
James: Trust me, Olivia. It wasn't easy as it sounds.
Mitchell: Yo, Kyle. How'd we do this time?
Kyle: Got these from some Bandits who love watching their prey being torn apart by Skinners....don't think they'll be askin for their stuff back for a while...anyways, enough food to last us about four months, before we have to go out again.
Mitchell: Good....The cities' doing really good on their stock thanks to you guys!
Mitchell notices Jake.
Mitchell: I see you have a guest.
Alexandria approaches the returned Midtown Manhattan scavenging group.
Alexandria: Welcome back! I see hit another payload and you brought a guest.
Kyle: Guys, this is Jake, my brother.
Alexandria: Brother?
Mitchell: You never mentioned you had a brother.
Kyle: Yeah...trust me, it's a surprise to me, too.
Kyle turns to Jake.
Kyle: Jake, this is Alexandria. She's our record keeper....and she kind of runs things here.
Kyle turns to Mitchell.
Kyle: And Mitchell runs our group of runners. He's a big hand here....
Mitchell: As far as scavenging goes....
Kyle approaches Alexandria.
Kyle: Hey....we need to have another meeting.
Alexandria: Another meeting? Kyle, you and your group just got back from a long trip! I'm pretty sure you haven't had lunch yet. Plus, I'm sure your brother here is hungry....
Alexandria turns to Jake.
Alexandria: When's the last time you ate, sweetie?
Jake: "Sweetie"? I like her already. To answer your question, ma'am, I've had so little meals....since those bastards caught me.
Alexandria notices Cassandras' bruises, who tries to hide them.
Kyle: I know, Alexandria, but still we'd like to know if there's' anywhere we need to hit in case things go south.
Alexandria: I see...
Kyle: Plus, Jake, I'm sure Alexandria would like to know who she's bringing in.
Jake: What?
Kyle: It's for safety.....
Jake nods in understanding. In the Chrysler Tower, Shawn, Walter, Kyle, Jake, Cassandra, Caleb, Mitchell, James, Olivia and Alexandria looking over a map of the area.
Jake: Well, I was in city of Baltimore for a while....but then it sunk...I was with an A.O.W squad.....it was so out of the blue.
Mitchell: A.O.W?
Kyle: Authorities of the Wasteland. Another military organization, but unlike Kronos, they really do try to make the wasteland more bearable to live in.....
Jake: Anyway, I headed further North....on my own for a while scavenging for supplies...when these fuckers caught me....I was caged for about seven months..... A.O.W and I were investigating on why these earthquakes keep on pushing on and sinking small towns...they're getting more erratic.
Caleb: "Erratic"?
Jake: Baltimore wasn't the first....Chicago. Minnesota. completely sunk...the survivors in that city either died or went missing Baltimore was just the third city completely sunk in the last three years. Also, in the East, more radioactive fluid spikes have been increasing....
Walter: It's like whole damn Earth is getting more fucked up slowly.....
Kyle: And ever since we put Kronos down....anyways, it's November, so it shouldn't really start snowing till about two more weeks...
Shawn: Next week, we'll hit the west stores. See if we can gather up blankets, water....food....warm clothes.
Walter: All right, cool.....Mitchell, Caleb and I can fill up those water canteens we brought back....prompt those kids to work harder for it.
Kyle: Knock yourself out.
Kyle turns to Jake.
Kyle: Jake, you want some time to catch up.....maybe you and I could have dinner at my house.
Jake: Oh, I wouldn't want to be intruding on your place.
Kyle: Please....plus, you gotta meet the wife.
Jake: Wife? You married Sheila?
Kyle: No....Sheila....she died.
Jake: Oh....I'm sorry to hear that.
Kyle: But trust me, you're gonna like my wife, though.
Kyle smiles.
Kyle: Yeah....a lot's happened in my life you're gonna wanna here about.
Alexandria: Hold on, Cassandra.
Cassandra stops, before James speaks to her.
James: I'll see you at home.
Cassandra nods before the rest of the survivors leave. Alexandria then approaches Cassandra.
Cassandra: You wanted me to stay behind?
Alexandria: So we can talk...
Cassandra: About what, Mom?
Alexandria: Did you really think I didn't notice the bruises? You played the bait part again, didn't you? Jesus, Cassandra! You know you have me and your sister worried when you do stuff like this?
Cassandra: I play the bait for the city....and it gets us food....I take the part that no one else is willing to play.
Alexandria: So you let other insane men touch you until James comes and saves you? That's your plan.
Cassandra: It's better than watching the men fight from the fucking sidelines.
Alexandria: You watch your language, young lady.....
Cassandra: I'm sorry.
Alexandria: I get you want to contribute...but there is a better way....these people look up to you, Cassandra as they looked up to your father.
Cassandra: They look up to Kyle....
Alexandria: You know he sees a leader in you too....as do I....but you've got to embrace it...you've got to want it...
A short pause.
Cassandra: I'm tired and I'm going to go home now.
Cassandra walks off, before Alexandria calls out.
Alexandria: Cassandra.....I love you.
Cassandra nods, before walking off. Meanwhile, in their home, Sarah walks over to the photo book and opens it, revealing the wedding day of herself and Kyle. Sarah smiles to admire how far she has come. Ashley then comes by behind Sarah.
Ashley: You know, maybe we should've told Kyle to raid some stores for a suit and a wedding gown.
Sarah turns to Ashley.
Sarah: Hey, we made our wedding day work...especially with you as my maid of honor.
Ashley: One time only, sis.
Sarah laughs, before Kyle and Jake enter the house as Sarah closes her wedding book and stands up, approaching Kyle and Jake.
Kyle: Sarah!
Sarah: Hey, Kyle.
Ashley: Hey, Kyle.
Sarah turns to Jake.
Ashley: Who's this?
Kyle: Guys, this is my brother, Jake.
Kyle turns to Jake.
Kyle: Jake, this is my wife, Sarah and her sister, Ashley.
Ashley: Wait, you have a brother?
Sarah: And he's alive? Uh...sorry....hi.
Sarah shakes hands with Jake, before Ashley does.
Kyle: I found him on a run and I figured he could eat with us and use a place to stay for the night.
Sarah: Oh, well...sure....Ashley and I were just about to get started on dinner.
Ashley: Were we?
Sarah: Yes, Ashley. Jake is a guest and we want to make sure he's comfortable.
Kyle: Great....
Kyle shows Jake an extra room, with freshly neat laid out clothes.
Kyle: You can use this room for tonight....plus, we have clean clothes...and there's a shower....I figured you could use a bath.
Jake sniffs himself.
Jake: That bad?
Kyle smiles.
Kyle: That bad.
Jake laughs, before later on, he takes a shower. After his shower, Jake looks at himself in the mirror then down at the razor and electric shaver. At the dinner table, Kyle, Sarah and Ashley prepare the table just as Jake finally steps out, with a fade and clean shaven.
Kyle: Well, you look more human now...
Jake: Ha-ha....
Sarah: Ignore him, Jake. As you see, Kyle's growing facial hair, too....maybe he could use some advice on keeping his face and hair clean....
Kyle: Hey, the goatee makes me look mature, okay?
Ashley laughs.
Kyle: It does....
Kyle, Jake, Sarah and Ashley sit down and have dinner.
Jake: So, Sarah, how long you and Kyle been married?
Sarah: Two years.
Jake: Hmmm....and how'd y'all meet?
Ashley: Oh, boy....
Kyle: That...is a long story.
Sarah: What should we give him? The truth or short version?
Jake: How bout for now we go with the short version?
Sarah: Short version it is, then. I used to be a waiter in this town ran by my Dad called Cratersville....anyway, some friends of mine went on a run and brought this former Zeus Corps Soldier, who I thought was just another dumb solder who didn't give a shit about us...but after some time in the wasteland, he grew to care about us....
Ashley: It was love at first sight.
Kyle and Sarah laugh.
Jake: Wow....that's one helluva love story right there....I'm sure your Dad must be pissed that you were with a Zeus Corps Soldier.
Sarah and Ashley's faces frown as does Kyle's.
Kyle: Actually, Jake....
Jake: Oh.....I'm sorry.
Sarah: It's fine....you didn't....happened four years ago...
Ashley: Yeah....same with our brother.
Ashley makes eye contact with Kyle.
Ashley: Anyway, that's your sister in law for you.
Jake: Well, that's one sister in law, but what about you, kid?
Ashley: Me....there's not much to tell.
Jake: Come on, surely, there's something interesting you must tell.
Ashley: Well, Kyle and another friend of mine taught me how to shoot. I've become a very good shot thanks to your brother.
Jake: Huh...you been on any good runs yet.
Ashley: I would if someone was comfortable with me going on runs.
Sarah: Hey, you're useful here, too.
Ashley: Uh-huh.
Ashley clears her throat.
Ashley: What about you, Jake?
Jake: Well, I was apart of the A.O.W, who probably assumed that I'm dead at this point....I'm...uh...I'm married.
Kyle: Oh, yeah, dude! How is Keera? Last letter I got from you was in 2029 so I assume....
Jake: Uh....actually....
Kyle: What? Jake, did something happen?
Jake: Actually, yeah.....Keera was pregnant.....but....she eventually lost the baby.
Kyle, Sarah and Ashley's faces fall flat and frown.
Kyle: Oh, shit....
Sarah: Jake, I'm so sorry to hear that.....
Ashley: Yeah, that sounds....sounds horrible.
Jake: Thank you....
Kyle: Do you want us to take you to her?
Jake: I would...if I knew where she was.
Kyle: What do you mean?
Jake: After the baby died, Keera fell into a depression, especially with me always on duty with the A.O.W....She eventually just left....she's out here somewhere in the wasteland.....for over a year.
Kyle: Is that what you were in Baltimore?
Jake looks up at Kyle, then nods yes.
Sarah: Oh, Jake....well, maybe we can help you.....
Kyle looks at Sarah.
Kyle: Sarah...
Sarah: What? We could....look, a lot of wastelanders in the north are always looking for sanctuary and sometimes they always end up in the quarantine section to be questioned....
Ashley: And sometimes it can take weeks....
Kyle: Well, with us, it took a little more than a few weeks.
Sarah: Anyway, I'm sure we can find her in our quarantine section.
Jake: Really? Thank you, guys.
Kyle: Yeah...don't mention it.
Later after dinner, Sarah and Kyle are getting ready for bed.
Kyle: Sarah....
Sarah: Yeah?
Kyle: You don't really think that his wife could be in our quarantine section, do you?
Sarah: Well, Kyle, it doesn't mean that we can't try to help him.....
Kyle: But I just don't want to give him false hope.
Sarah: He didn't say his wife was dead.....
Kyle: But it doesn't mean she's here either.
Sarah: Can't give up hope on that, though. Plus, he's your brother.
Kyle sighs.
Sarah: Kyle, you haven't seen him in years.....and this would be a great time to get some bonding time with him....The time I wish I had with Nathan, I would want you to have that time with your brother.
Later, during bed, Jake is staring at a photo of his wife, Keera. Kyle and Sarah are in bed as Sarah is resting on Kyle's chest. Kyle gives a pondering look as he gets flashbacks of Nathan and his death. In the morning, an earthquake shakes the whole city that wakes Kyle and Sarah. The two step out of the room as Jake meets them.
Kyle: The hell was that?
Jake: Hell if I know.
Suddenly, Alexandria calls on the other end of Kyles' radio.
Alexandria: Kyle!
Kyle talks in his radio.
Kyle: Yeah, what's going on?
Alexandria: Don't know, but the earthquake was near the fuel depot outside the city....a lot of our patrols were hurt.
Kyle: Copy, I'm on my way.