Reed had never seen Zip more down than he had in the days after Zip's useless leg had been amputated.

It took Zip several months to recover enough to walk, with crutches of course. Despite the major accomplishment, Zip remained distant, hollow, and sad.

Reed stepped into the living room and stopped in his tracks. Zip sat in the middle of the floor. He was hunched forward, his remaining leg pulled tight to his chest. He was crying.

Reed got over his surprise quickly and hurried to Zip's side. "Hey... Zip... what's wrong? Do you need anything?"

Zip glanced at Reed. He sniffed and wiped his eyes. "I don't need anything. Nothing's wrong." He forced a smile.

Reed put an arm around Zip. "Don't lie to me Zip. What's bothering you?"

Zip ran a hand through his hair, growing agitated. He closed his eyes and focused on getting enough control to speak. "I-I... I'm broken, Reed." He clenched his hands into fists. "I'll never walk normally again. I'll never get my leg back." He shuddered and leaned into Reed. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

Reed squeezed Zip tightly. "Don't apologize," he said soothingly. "It's not your fault... Hey, how about we get you a service dog? Animals are great help."

Zip nodded. He still didn't look at Reed. "Yeah... that might help."

Reed smiled slightly. "You'll be alright, Zip. I promise."

Zip didn't respond. He looked down at his shaking hands.

Reed stayed at Zip's side for a few minutes before he got up and went to the phone. He called the number the doctor had given Zip after his recovery. "Hello... Yes... No, I'm actually calling on behalf of a friend. He got his left leg amputated and he's been really down... Today?" Reed glanced at Zip. "Of course. Thank you."

-

Zip's mood had improved only slightly since they had left. He still had the posture of a wilted flower as he and Reed were lead to a second house on the property. The tall, blond woman made sure she walked at a speed Zip could keep up with.

Just before they reached the second house, someone shouted across the yard.

"TRODAIRE! HERE!"

Zip stopped and turned before the others did. A large Bernese mountain dog was running toward them. He was almost solid black with a brown face and white chest. The dog slowed and stopped in front of Zip.

Ashley shook her head and stepped around Zip. "He's never done this before. What's up Trodaire? Come here boy."

Zip stared at the dog. Slowly, using one of his crutches for support, he knelt down. Ashley fell silent as Zip extended a hand.

"Trodaire?" Zip spoke quietly and smiled. "That means 'fighter' where I come from."

Trodaire butted his head against Zip's hand. Zip's smile turned into a grin. He rubbed Trodaire's ears. "Good boy..."

Ashley and Reed exchanged glances.

"I think we found his dog," Ashley said with a laugh.

Zip ignored the conversation that started behind him. He had eyes only for Trodaire. Trodaire moved to Zip's side as he slowly started to stand, offering extra support.

Zip stood straight. For a minute, in the waning sunlight, he longed to be in London fighting the Problem once again. But when he looked around and remembered all that had led him here, he was content.

He was too old to fight ghosts anyway. He couldn't see them.

He may look a bit like a limbless, but he had his friends.

And he had Trodaire.