ZRP-2 Chapter 6: Scattered

(James)
=My grip on her wrist didn't tighten at all. If anything it loosened a bit. But it was still there, and my voice took on a soothing tone=
"Hibiki, come on let's just go."

(Sarah)

=I give her a three beat stare, ignoring her hard grip. I've gotten far worse looks from a kitten. She didn't phase me at all=

Yes...astoundingly clear.

=I narrow my eyes=

And for the record...I WAS raped and beaten. Five times.

Sew a label on that one, bitch...

=I let that statement sink in=

(James)
=I stood between the two of them, and suddenly felt the air pressure quadruple=
"So, this was a fun evening. We should do this again sometime."

=My voice was dripping with sarcasm, and I let out a shaky breath, finally releasing Hibiki's hand=

Hibiki didn't flinch.
"I'd say sorry, but you lost your apology for the day." She let go of Sarah. "You learn to be more respectful of people. This isn't the Shepherds where you have to pretend to be a badass to impress brain dead ingrates. You clean your act up. Family. That is what we have to be. Family. If we don't make our bonds stronger then those bastards, we won't win." She turned to leave Sarah behind.

(James)
=Looking from one to the other, I followed Hibiki=
"Okay, that could have gone better....."

(Sam)
"Eve, come on."
=I took her hand and walked with James and Hibiki=

(Sarah)

=My resolve dissolves, and I once again feel alone. Scared and alone=

Dammit...Stupid, Stupid, stupid...

Look...I'm sorry. I didn't have one for a long time...please...

=I run after them, my sadness showing in my tone=

I just... don't want to be alone anymore...

=I feel tears rush down my face unbidden=

If there's anything I can do for y-y-your for-g-giveness...I-I-I'll d-do it.

=Half my words are choked by the sobs=

Just...p-please...d-d-don't let me be left alone.

=At this point...I must have looked almost pathetic=

Hibiki was surprised...but her anger melted.

But.

Eve was faster. She hugged Sarah without pause. "You're not alone anymore. Even after you be stupid, you're not alone."

Hibiki stepped forward, and joined the hug. She should have been mad.
But when someone is crying real tears, begging, willing to do anything for forgiveness..she just couldnt be mad.
She couldn't.

So she joined Eve. "You won't be left alone Sarah. Even families have fights. So no matter what...you always will be welcomed."

(Sarah)

=I blink a bit in surprise, expecting to be asked to do something=

Th-thank you...both of you.

=I closed my eyes, my face still wet with tears=

It's just...it's nice to not have to be scared anymore.

(James)
=I was torn between standing my ground and joining the hug. In the end, I stepped forward, and rested my hand on Sarah's shoulder=
"It's going to be okay Sarah."

(Sam)
=I just stood there=

Hibiki pulled away. "Go home Sarah. You have loved ones waiting."

Eve pulled away as well, and gave Sam a big hug. "Nyaa?"

(Sarah)

=I turn a brief shade of red=

Yeah...about that...

=I hear a bit of a noise coming from where I was staying=

I think they're a bit busy right now.

=I rub the back of my head sheepishly=

But I'll take my leave...and try not to interrupt them.

=I take my leave, a smirk crossing my features=

(Sam)
"What language was that?"
=I looked down at Eve with an arched eyebrow=

"It's japanese for meow I think or was that kupo?" She frowned. "Whatever. Just kiss me and forgive her."

(Sam)
"In that order? Also why should I forgive her? Not like she was trying to slap me."

"In that order. And she tried to slap daddy..." eve said.

(Sam)
"But she didn't. And you'd think I'd have to forgive her if she slapped you."

(James)
"Thanks Sam, I feel so loved."

"I would expect you too, Sam. After you slap her back twice of course." Eve smiled softly.

Hibiki tapped James' arm. "It's like I didn't show you were loved ten minutes ago."

(James)
"Ah, true."
=I grinned a bit=

(Sam)
"Good point Eve. And Sarah, I forgive you a teeny bit for trying to slap James. Since you didn't slap him, a teeny is all you get instead of the full monty."

Eve sighed, then gave Sam a soft kiss on the lips. "It's a start."

Hibiki smirked. "Yep."

(James)
=I was unsure of what to do now. Head back to the house and call it a night? Or walk around town, see what there was=
"What do you guys want to do? Head back to the house?"

(Sam)
"Yes it is. And getting to the finish line will be a helluva lot tougher."
=I looked at James=

"Nah. I want to walk around for a bit."

Eve giggled.
"Moonlight stroll?"

(Sam)
"Ha, yeah. All we're missing is a sandy beach."

(James)
"Maybe next time."
=Truth be told, I was slightly captivated by the idea of walking with Hibiki on a warm beach at night, nothing but her voice and the sound of waves=

"And a bikini for you." Eve teased, sticking her tongue out.

Hibiki smiled. "I'd like to go to the beach..."

(James)
"Same here Hibiki. Same here."

(Sam)
"Yeah, just make sure you get me some sunscreen or else I'll burn."

"...do I get to apply it?" Eve asked.

Hibiki facepalmed and said nothing more at Eve's remark.

(Sam)
"Let's face that question when we actually come to it, shall we?"

(James)
=I wasn't sure what to say to that, so I just stood quietly by Hibiki=

"Ok." Eve agreed.

Hibiki sighed. "How about we go get the house ready and you two go have a walk?" She suggested.

(Sam)
"Works for me."

(James)
"Yeah, that sou- wait, what?"
=I eyed Hibiki curiously=

"What do you mean 'get the house ready?'"

"You know. Light some candles, get some flashlights set near the beds, make sure no perverts are hiding in the kids' room. The usual parental duties that involve clothes and no sheets babe." Hibiki rolled her eyes.

(James)
"Hey, cut me some slack here. Still new to this kinda thing."
=But in all fairness, I should have been.....no, I still was accustomed to this sorta thing. Back in the caravan, on the rare occasions we found a few houses, first thing we did was check them out, get minor light sources ready, the usual=

"Let's go." Hibiki smiled and held her hand out to James. "Let the girls have their small date."

(James)
"Will do. Sam, Eve.....no funny business, ya hear?"

(Sam)
=I blushed a bit at his remark=
"Don't worry, we won't try anything out in the open."

"Aww. No excitement?" Eve smiled though, only teasing. "I know daddy. I promise."

(James)
"Good girl Eve. Alright now, skiddadle you two."

(Sam)
=My jaw hung open in shock=
"I can't believe I heard you say that. Jesus Christ."

Both Hibiki and Eve were confused.
"Say what?" They said in unison.

(Sam)
"Eve, Hibiki......on the long, long list of words I never thought I'd hear James say, skiddadle is at the tippy top."

(James)
"That unlikely?"

(Sam)
"Very."

Eve blinked, then took Sam's hand. "Let's just go..."

Hibiki merely sighed.

(James)
"Okay then....."
=I looked to Hibiki=

"Well, that was awkward."

(Sam)
"Sure thing Eve."

Eve tugged Sam away.

Hibiki shrugged.

(James)
"So, shall we head back now?"

(Sam)
"Geez, aren't we in a hurry?"

"To get away from the awkwardness? yes." Eve admitted.

Hibiki nodded. "Let's."

(James)
=Smiling, I draped an arm over her shoulder, and we walked back to the house=

(Sam)
"Hey you started it with your request to rub sunscreen on me."

"...you said beach. My horomones don't calm down in mere minutes..." Eve protested.

Hibiki leaned into James. "What are we gonna do once they decide to ah...partake in our leisure activity?"

(James)
=My cheeks reddened a little=
"Umm......well, I don't know."

(Sam)
"Eve, it's been more than a few minutes since we did it. Hell, we didn't even do it. That was second base, third at best."

(Sarah)

=I had taken Sam's bit of forgiveness gratefully, and had already made it to where we were staying. I made sure I was as quiet as possible. After all, Andrew deserved that much=

Well...they do seem to be having fun...I'll just let them...

=I went and sat on the bunk, content to just try and get some sleep. I just hoped it would be a peaceful night's sleep. I let my eyes close and let sleep take me, not minding the noises coming from the main bedroom=

"Um. You do know I have no control of my hormones at all, right?" Eve sighed. "I just can't help it."

Hibiki rubbed her forehead. "Least we don't need to worry about condoms." She joked.

(James)
"True. I guess most we can advise them on is.......to wash their hands often?"

(Sam)
"Just saying Eve. Besides, girls mature faster than boys, you should be in control. Then again, I'm hardly one to talk."

"I'd rather mature slower. I hate being grown up, and...uh....anyways. That stars are pretty!" Eve said.

Hibiki laughed. "Right..."

(Sam)
=I looked up with her=
"Yeah, they are."

(James)
=We got back to the house, and it was still just as dark as we left it=
"Okay.....now I wish I brought a glow stick. Got anything on you?"

Hibiki took out two flashlights. "Always be prepared babe."

Eve rested her head on Sam's arm. "When you wish upon a star..."