ZRP-2 Chapter 8: Survivors One and All

"Thank you" Cristina said pleasantly surprised by his gesture as she stepped out of the car. "I am guessing more than a few faces will know me from the tv rather than because they have actually met me" She laughed slightly. "Crazy world right?"

Hibiki yelped and jumped, then...started laughing.
"All this grief, all this hell, and some lightning scares us." She pressed her face into James' chest, still laughing...and finally managed to calm down. As she pulled away, she gently pried James' hands from his ears and look...serious.
"James...I'm being serious. Cooper and Aiden, all those others? They are dead because we needed ammo. So don't beat yourself up...because the one who deserves punishment is the fucker who blew up the ammo dump." She held his hands. "After you've had time to grieve, James, I'll need you with us. Ok?" She looked sad. "And...I'm sorry James. Sorry I was harsh at the garage."

Eve waited for Sam to say the words she really wanted to hear.

"Probably," Marcus said, though he grimaced. "Then again Clara was a fan of the US teams, so not sure how she'll respond to you." They entered the office, and he found Clara sitting at a desk, looking....well, worried as all hell really. She looked up, and when she saw Marcus she immediately stood and rushed for him, hugging him. "Marcus..." she said. "Thought you were......doesn't matter, you're back." She let go, and stepped back and saw Cristina there. "Who's.....wait, Cristina? From the Olympics?"

It took James a moment for his ears to stop ringing, before he looked at Hibiki and said "You've always been harsh Hibiki.....it's something I've had to learn to accept about you. So I accept the apology....." He took a step back, not making a move for the door. James just stayed inside the shed, or at least intended to.

Sam sighed, and said "How many times do I have to say it Eve? Saying it once, or a thousand times, doesn't really increase the meaning. If you need a reminder, then ask if I still love you, because I do Eve. I do love you."

"In the flesh always nice to see another friendly face" Cristina said as she offered a hand for her to shake.

Clara shook it, a small smile on her face and said "Well I may have routed for our side more than yours......but I won't ignore talent and skill when I see it."

"Can't say I blame you there you have to stand by your flag" She smiled. "Yeah talent and skill are handy things to have with a rifle but you wait until winter... When I go skiing those walkers and their runners don't stand a chance"

Eve chuckled.
"I know. But it's something I was afraid I wouldn't hear again for a bit." She amiled softly up at Sam. "Sorry I'm a pain. Getting hurt, getting sick. I seem to always keep you on your toes."

Hibiki smiled and stepped forward...and ruffled James' hair, like he was a little boy. "Love accepts flaws. I accept the flaw you're utterly hopeless sometimes, downright boyish, and I accept the fact you nearly broke the bed last time we had sex." She ended teasingly...then slightly saddened. "I know I'm harsh James. But I'm harsh because I have to protect so many." She kissed him. "Can't let the tears our baby see when he finally arrives be of grief now." She whispered. "I'd rather him see daddy smiling with tears of happiness."

James should have focused on the baby, about smiling instead of grieving when the kid was finally born. But he held on to what Hibiki said, about her having to protect so many. It was what made him say "Then stop protecting so many, Hibiki. It's just me, Eve, Sam, and our child. That should be it."

"Yeah well they say variety is key to a happy relationship," Sam said with a small smile.

"I don't doubt it," Clara said. "So I'm guessing Marcus found you out there?" she asked, looking to her ex. He shook his head,and said "More like she found James and I, and helped save our asses."

Hayley looked up at Ella.
"Is your leg feeling ok?"

Hibiki sighed. "It's hard."

Eve chuckled. "Then let's stop talking and you can instead kiss my forehead and keep me warm?"

"No arguments there," Sam said, giving Eve a quick kiss on the head before settling down.

Ella glanced at Hayley and said "Besides some minor aches, I'm fine. But thanks."

"It shouldn't be," James said. "I mean we're family, the four of us. Everyone else is just....they're friends."

"I found them but walkers came in force to my home so we skedaddled as you Americans say and made are way here" Cristina explained. "I saved their lives and they saved mine during the escape from where I used to live"

Hibiki shook her head. "Ella and Hayley and Estel...th...they're important to us."


Eve smiled and snuggled up. "Can you kiss me a few more times..."

"Ella of course, because she's been my friend....for longer than we've known each other. But Hayley? I like her, but I'm not ready to die for her. Or Estel," James said, though the words came out choked. "I won't fool myself into thinking I can or have to protect everyone."

"And catch a cold? No thanks," Sam said.

Eve pouted. "Just on my forehead?" She asked softly.

"I know..." She took James' hand. "Can we go inside now?"

"Aren't we already inside?" James asked, a small grin on his lips.

"Yeah....probably still a no. I mean, stuff in your sweat, and it might get on my lips and then my tongue....." Sam said.

"I see," Clara said. "Well, you have my thanks for that. But if you were looking for a place to stay.....look, I won't say no, since you earned it by helping those two get back. But a lot of people here may not be so....welcoming."

Eve blushed. "Now you're making me want sex...dammit Sam, why are you so...so Sam?" She finally decided on.

"I meant the houes." Hibiki said, sighing.

"Who else am I going to be?" Sam asked, getting up from the bed. "I'll be downstairs, so give a shout if you need anything."

"Right," James said. "Well I was going to.....well, stay here. Figured that after.....well after our talk, we could use some space or something."

"Dunno...Uh...some water Sam? Please?" She looked up with her adorable face. "And a striptease?" She added jokingly.

"Well." She looked around. "What...exactly where you planning to do here?"

"Sit somewhere quiet mostly," James said. "Heh, maybe make something in here. Plenty of tools, probably some materials."

"Sure to the water, hell no on the striptease," Sam said.

"Then just stripping?" Eve teased. "Thanks, Sam."

"Uh, no making a damn boat. We aren't Gibbs." She looked at Nomad. "Can he go outside?"

Hayley looked at Ella. "Okay...if you feel weird, just say so...I'll double check."

"True enough I will pull my weight if I choose to stay" She replied.

"Sure thing, thanks," Ella said as she laid back on the couch a bit more. On the surface, she was calm and relaxed.....but beneath, she grieved, like Estel did. Aiden was her friend, and he didn't deserve to die like that.

Sam walked out of the room, rolling her eyes slightly as she went to grab the canteen of water.

"Why?" James asked. "Don't think a shed's anyplace for a horse?"

Clara nodded, and said "Alright then. Feel free to stay at one of the houses that has room on James' side of the neighborhood; that area's for the people in his group."

"Thanks" Cristina dipped her head to her the once. "If you need any help I can give some" She offered.

"I just want to be alone with you." Hibiki said.

Eve waited patiently.

Hayley felt herself nodding off...and she toppled over and onto Ella's lap. She was fast asleep...and kinda looked cute, all asleep and relaxed.

James blinked, and said "Really? Now, here?"

Sam returned with the canteen, shaking it gently so the contents sloshed around inside. "Here's some water. When you drink, waterfall it."

Ella looked down at Hayley in surprise, the woman falling asleep right into her lap. She was going to say something.....but in all honesty, it was a pleasant enough feeling. Not in a romantic sense, but in the basic sense of all human beings, where touch and contact was concerned. Given the hell they had been through, it was nice to have the contact of Hayley's head there.

"No! I...I just want to...really, I just want to be alone, and I don't feel like going to our room."

Eve smiled. "Thanks..." She smiled.

Hayley moved a bit, but didn't really move much. But she smiled slightly in her sleep, curling up a bit closer like a kitten, or even a small child would.

"Oh," James said, surprisingly not crestfallen. Given the day's events, his libido was somewhat.....diminished. Without saying a word, he took Nomad's reigns and guided the horse outside, tying him to the porch railing. Then he returned to the shed, unsure of what to say. "Want me to go?" he asked.

Handing her the canteen, Sam sat on the edge of the bed, silent.

Eve waterfalled the water, then set it aside. She reached out to Sam worldlessly.

Hibiki took James' hand. "No...I want you here. Please don't go."

"We'll be sure to," Clara said.

James gave Hibiki a steady look, before pulling on her hand and bringing her close to him. He had no intention of doing anything straight out of a porno.....but he needed to kiss her. To feel her near him and wash away the pains of the past two days. So he pressed his lips to hers, and went with nothing, but the kiss.

"Nuh uh," Sam said. "I'm fine where I am thank you very much."

Ella sighed, and started to stroke Hayley's hair softly, her own eyes closing.

Hayley...actually seemed to snuggle closer.

Hibiki went with just the kiss. Her libido was destroyed by worry and anger, and right now...she just wanted to know James still loved her.

"...I hate being sick." Eve said. "...Sam...is there a little bit of food left?"

It lasted a few minutes, the kiss he shared with his wife. At some point, he realized that he had lifted her up and into a sitting position on the worktable, before he pulled back to rest his forehead against hers.

"Yeah. Why, you hungry?" Sam asked.

"Yeah...can I have some food please?" Eve asked.

Hibiki actually smiled a bit.
"Hehe..." She just relaxed and rested back.

"We should go back inside the house," James suggested. "I mean not like we'll be getting any further in here.....or at all today."

Sam sighed, and said in an apologetic tone "Sorry Eve, we're short enough as it is. You'll have to wait for dinner."

Eve's stomach growled.
"ok..."

Hibiki yawned and nodded. "Let's go then, James."

Despite the smile, it did little to change the tone of voice James had in his response. "'Let's go James?' Gee, don't I feel like the dog in this relationship."

Hibiki looked...a bit hurt.
"I can't agree without you getting pissy? Really?" She shot back, her tone both angry and hurt. "Fine." She slid off the table. "Then do whatever you want, I'll go lie down."

She headed out of the shed.

Like before in the garage, he let her go. What upset him wasn't the ordering around, in reality he was fine with Hibiki being a strong willed woman who was no gentle flower. But he didn't like feeling bossed around. They were married, and to him it was a partnership, a relationship of peers and equals. He'd apologize later for the tone.....but not for how he had felt.

Hibiki slammed the door behind him, and entered the house. Ignoring the inhabitants, she headed upstairs, and slammed the master bedroom door...then, out of a pregnant rage, she slammed a nightstand against the door, and flopped onto the bed.

Eve blinked as the slams were heard.
"Sam? I think daddy said something, or mommy said something, ad the other is pissed."

James sighed, choosing to stay in the shed. At the very least, he'd be dry inside especially since the rain was letting up. Then again....there was something he needed to do. And he was sure Marcus, and a few others would be doing it as well. So, leaving the shed, James made his way for the center of the compound, to the bar.

"Honestly Eve.....you say that like this is a rare occurrence," Sam said. "The number of times those two have been at each others throats? I'm amazed they haven't filed for a divorce already.....well, I mean if they could."

Eve sighed softly.
"They should just have sex whenever they have a problem. That, I'd say beat up eachother, but mommy's pregnant..." Eve sighed.

"Yeah but if they just had sex everytime they had an argument.......nothing would get done, they argue so often," Sam said.

"Touche, babe...touche..." Eve giggled.

Sam frowned and said "Don't call me babe."

Eve looked...nervous. "Sorry Sam...I...sorry." She didn't say anything more, just looked at the wall.

"Don't sweat it Eve," Sam said.

Arriving at the bar, James found it to be....well, packed. With people from the caravan no less. He recognized some faces, all of them from the original group that was back in the lockdown town. Even the preacher was there, and while no one was holding a candle, it was clear this was some manner of vigil or service. A testament to the fallen, that even at the end of the world, they could still inspire those around them to remember them.

Eve nodded. "So...anything...well...is there any nickname I could...possibly use, thats only between us?" She asked carefully.

Hayley twitched in her sleep, unconsciously enjoying Ella stroking her hair.

Tyler pretty much had been on break from the "military" of the compound. He wasn't quite sure what they were doing or if there was anything new with the shepherds. He had heard the compound's ammo supply had been disposed of by a shepherd in disguise. A mole if you will. So he was on his way to talk with Jason to talk about helping again.

Walking to the counter, James was given a shot of of whiskey, one of the last things that was actually bottled and not some manner of homemade swill. He didn't drink it though, not yet. He turned around to look at the rest of the bar, the crowd inside. No one looked to him for a speech, some toast to give. Instead they looked to Marcus, standing there at a table. "Cooper was......a good man. Brave, honest, and loyal sometimes to a fault. But he never stopped doing the right thing, doing right by us. He gave his life for this town so that we might be able to fight a little longer. To live another day. He, and those that died with him.....should be remembered, for however long this town stands and I hope that is for a very long time." Everyone there, even James, raised their glass in a silent toast before downing their drinks.

"Honestly?" Sam said. "Not sure. I mean Eve and Sam seems to work just fine. Plus it makes sure we never forget each-others names."

"I know they do...but...I just...I just want to call you something personal...I know its selfish...its probably childish, but its what I want, and the excuse of memory is stupid. I'll never forget your name, your face, and your smile."

"Well I don't want you to Eve," Sam said flatly. "Look....a nickname or a pet name is cute for a while.....but it just feels like you stop calling me by my name. And I like hearing my name Eve. It's my identity, and I want to hold on to that."