Winter was coming real fast and even when while it was day hours the day was real hot, during the night it was really cold, freezing cold. So people in the hills must be really careful, the huts had to be covered from the outside. William's job was to be a good leader and part of that was to also to check that everything was good or at least bearable for the people in the Hills to survive. So he had spent the last days checking that everything in the huts was good.

"Those rooms need more blankets, and also try to check in the supply room if there are more rugs, we're going to need those too..." he was telling a kid that from time to time when he had free time from his classes, he helped him with some easy chores. After the kid finished writing on a small block of notes, William continued checking around, he lso told the kid the things that they would have to fix in each room before cold weather hit the Hills again.

"Hey Will...." Ashleigh greeted as she gracefully strolled into the hut where William and the boy were. She had been asking around and searching all over to find him after her shift in the kitchen. Ashleigh smiled at the boy before continuing, "Just wrapped up the inventory of the perishables." Her long auburn hair was draped over her left shoulder in a loose ponytail, and dirt smudges graced her cheeks and forehead.

"We have maybe five days worth. Not counting the non-perishables." Ashleigh started playing with the ends of her hair.

The moment he heard Ash's voice he smiled and forced himself not to blush. Since she got to the hills he had felt some atraction for her. Generally she drove him crazy, but he had thought that it was just what he loved most of her. He looked at her and nodded in a greeting way. "good day Ash." then he liatened to her inform about their supplies in the kitchens. "then, still, we're going to go out a week before they run out of everything. We should start planning the next raid. What do you think" he asked to her because he respected her opinion as his right hand.

Sometimes it was easiest to be around Will when there was business to discuss. Any other time Ashleigh would either clam up and withdraw into herself, or like she had to occasionally do...hide. Yes, she knew it was rather cowardly, but it was either that or her face would turn so pink. But even during actual business discussion Ash would sometimes not be able to look him in the eye. And today was one of those as her blue eyes found his and quickly darted away. "Planning would be good. Your the best at that, and keeping everyone safe out there...." She continued to play with her hair. "We might be alright."

At her reply William had to look away. He had blushed and t shouldn't happen to a leader that he blushed with the prising words of his second in charge. He looked away but acted as if he wasn checking for the second or third time a pile of blamkets. It wasn't difficult to see that he was double ad triple checking things. He was cautious like that. "they tonight whilepeople is cooking in the underground oven, we should plan some of the main points of it." he said and then looked at her again. Their eyes met nd william this time didn't moved his eyes off her, it was more like a leader checking with his second in command. "do you think we should start moving people? we need at least other three huts to be comfortable again."

Ashleigh nodded in agreement. Tonight would be good since it was not her night to work in the kitchen. "Sounds good. I don't have kitchen duty this evening. It should help ease everyone's minds to know that there will be a raid soon," here she paused and and slightly gestured with her head, "And that food and supplies will be coming in." She knew some people were getting nervous, she herself included.

William was always busy, always so business minded, that Ashleigh never thought it unusual when he double or triple checked things. To her it was normal...nothing out of the ordinary. But once his eyes locked onto hers she nearly forgot the question he had asked. Every time it happened she felt as if the world had tilted. "Wh-what?" She stuttered, confused, "Moving people?" Ash glanced around taking in the meager supplies. "Are we ready? Are the huts ready? Will, I'm not so sure how we'll ever really, truly be comfortable."

William looked at Ash for a second more and then he looked back at his check list, he knew he needed to have everything undercontrol as it was expected from a leader. Before all of that, yes he had been a leader, but never so responsible, so dependable, he had always been a mess! but after aliens came, he became more dependable. That was the reason he was always checking and double or tripple checking everything around. He couldn't afford having a mistake. "Good, in that case tonight we'll plan that. and yes, food is also in that mix of topics."

He Then continued checking and then looked at her again, he needed an answer and she needed o do it fast. Whem his brain was on leader role, he rarely ever got unfocused. Then she finally replied and he nodded. They had some huts, new ones to be used in Wnter. "Yes, we've got 2, big ones for a big family each, or 2 couples." sighs and then continues. "you are right, we will never have the life we used to, but we need to get used to this one."

"That'll make everyone happy, to know there is a raid in planning." Ash paused and wiggled her head sideways, "For now, anyways." She watched as he went over his list again, and again...Something she still wasn't used to. But she was sure there were reasons.

She shook her head slowly, "We'll just have to be uncomfortable and share, Will. Until we can get more liveable and ready." Ashleigh shrugged. There really wasn't any other choice, as much as she realized otherwise.

William looled at Ash and smiled softly, it wasn't a flirty smile, but on the cotrary, it was a smile that told Ash he was her friend and that she could trust him. He know how hard was it to be in that place, heck! He was one of the first dwellers. But he also knew that life had to go on and if it meant to be hidden for a while, then hidden it would be.

"this is hard, but it is much better than letting a worm eat your brains, right?" he chuckled and then smiled at her a bit again. "ok, so... Food will be impprtant, what else? Did you check the hygene products?" he asked because as always as one traveled, that was the first forgotten thing.