"'That'," Jim said patiently, with a surprising amount of good cheer, "is a long, complicated story that I cross my heart I'll tell you later." Jim's smile became tired, a little rough around the edges, and he rubbed at his shoulder, the one that ached sometimes, too many stupid stunts as a kid and no hospitalization to speak of.

"Look, Bones, just follow me, all right?" Without waiting for confirmation or denial, Jim turned and set off through the crowd once more, heading for an alleyway. Wood and Fire were close enough they could be cut through, and now that Bones was with him, he doesn't have to worry about how fast he was going, except for that damned fool pride.