ZRP-2: Brave New World

Hibiki pulled away, standing up to allow James easier access to her clothing."Had a bit of trouble?" She said teasingly.

Miranda fell onto Andrew softly, still kissing him deeply.

(James)
=When she stood up and gave me room to move, I growled hungrily, and stood up, scooping her in my arms. My mouth pressing against hers, we both sort of....tumbled down onto the bed, as my hands moved downward again=

=I move my hands down and start pulling up her shirt, still kissing her deeply. A bit hard, considering she's on top of me at this point. But my mind was elsewhere.=

Eve woke up screaming. She shot to a sitting position, ha DS covering her face. She was crying and screaming at the same time, shaking uncontrollably.
"No, no, no! Don't. NO MORE. NO MORE!"
Eve was hysterical.

*Sam*
=She almost fell out of her chair when Eve shot up, screaming. Jumping out of the chair, she ran to the bed, and tried to calm eve down=
"Eve, Eve! It's alright, it was just a nightmare."

=She tried to wrap her arms around the struggling girl, to try and hold her close and reassure her that things were okay=

Eve clung to Sam, burying her face in Sam's shoulder.
"I don't want to...I don't want to go there..."
She clung to Sam like her life depended on it, crying.

The first scream caused Hibiki to push James off her and run out, struggling to put her shirt on. She banged on Sam's door.
"Eve!" She.practically yelled.

(James)
=Having a woman push you off while you were about to have sex was certainly one way to kill an erection. I was just glad I landed on my ass and not my......you get the picture. I jumped up, making sure my clothes were still on, and followed behind Hibiki=

*Sam*
=She half yelled towards the door=
"She had some kind of nightmare."

=Then she continued to cling to Eve, making soft noises in her ear trying to calm her down=

Eve's grip loosened, and she relaxed against Sam, the soft noises and Sam's embrace calming her down.
"I'm ok mommy..." She said loud enough for Hibiki and James to hear.
Eve nuzzled Sam a bit, her racing heart slowing down.

Hibiki sighed with relief. "Sorry James..." She turned to face him. "Uh...shall we continue?"
Hibiki grinned.


Miranda had moved up a bit to help get her shirt off when the screaming started. Before she could move, she heard Hbiki already there.
"Uh...I think it's handled." She said, throwing her shirt to the side and going in for Andrew's jeans.

(James)
=I grinned sheepishly=
"Already?"

=But I grabbed her hand, and gently tugged her along back to the room, closing the door behind us=

*Sam*
"Shush.....it's going to be alright Eve, it was just a bad dream."
=She held the girl in her arms, letting her head rest on her shoulder as she gently rocked back and forth=

=I want to speak up...but my mind was already on cloud nine. Dang, I just felt too damn good=

Speaking of getting things handled...

=I couldn't help but have a silly grin=

Eve's body relaxed, her heart beating normally. Even snuggled up to Sam, and soon fell asleep to the gentle rocking of the older girl.


Timeskip - One Hour

--1 Hour Later--

(James)
=I was lying on my side, beneath the covers of the bed, Hibiki's back to me while I was cuddled up to her, arm draped over her midsection as I kept her close to me. Barely awake, I lightly kissed her shoulder=
Please....let this last.


*Sam*
=After Eve had fallen asleep, Sam had laid her out on the bed, making sure her head was on the pillow and putting the covers over her. She felt a little awkward, but she lied next to the girl, gently stroking her hair in an attempt to keep away any more nightmares=

Hibiki was asleep, tucked up against James. Her breathing was uneven, deep, and she had already kicked James once by accident during sleep.
She let out a breath softly, her fingers twitching a bit as she went through REM.

Eve slept soundly, and had turned towards Sam, getting closer to the source of the comfort.

--1 hour later--

=I was lying on my side, exhausted by what happened today, beneath the bed sheets, Miranda's back to me while I was cuddled up to her, my arm draped over her midsection as I kept her close to me. Mustering a bit of energy, I give her a light kiss on the shoulder, feeling like I was on top of the freaking world=

I want this moment to last...just so I can let the past go...

=In my mind, the screams of my sister don't return, and I smile, still feeling like I was on cloud nine=

And that one line...very smooth Andrew...very smooth...

*Sam*
=She was still awake through the whole thing, and got a little uncomfortable when Eve started turning in her sleep, getting closer to her. Since she wasn't the girls mother, adopted or otherwise, it didn't feel appropriate. But she wasn't willing to risk giving her another nightmare, so she held onto Eve in the exact same manner=

(James)
=My hand lightly traced small lines across her stomach, enjoying the soft feel of her skin=

Eve nestled against Sam, her face mostly obscured by her hair, but enough could be seen to show that was sleeping peacefully.
The only divergence from this was when she murmured a few sleepy words.
"She was nice and warm mommy..."


Hibiki remained asleep, exhausted from the entire day.

*Sam*
=Hearing the girl murmur that made Sam feel even more awkward. She wanted to untangle herself, put some space between the two of them....but the image of Eve freaking out from another nightmare was the only thing that kept her close=


(James)
=Placing a light kiss on Hibiki's neck, I slowly inched away from her, making sure not to wake her up. Standing up from the bed, I picked up my clothes and got dressed. What I would have given for a shower, just so that if I walked around outside I wouldn't smell like sweat and.....something else=

Eve's eyes fluttered open slowly, and she mewed a bit. Jostling just a tad, she realized she was curled up and being held by Sam.
Eve smiled softly. "Thank you...Sam..." She said quietly. "I feel...safe..." She nuzzles Sam's shoulder. "Thank you again for being here for me."

Hibiki didn't wake as James got up. She was so deep in sleep it would only take the threat of Shepherds invading the camp to wake her.

*Sam*
=When Eve nuzzled her shoulder like that, Sam couldn't help but feel a mix of awkwardness and....affection, towards the girl. She wanted to pull away but at the same time she enjoyed that contact=

(James)
=Once my clothes were on, I got my gear and left the room, quietly closing the door. Before I left the building I checked on Harry and the other kids, and found that Harry was awake=

*Harry*
"James.....hi."
=His voice was hollow, as if the same lovable spirit within him was dead or dying. It broke my heart=

Well. The past hour or so I spent wandering the town again. I'm not sure where Wrex had gone to. Probably with Jennifer. Probably.
Maybe I can... I dunno. Fuck. The only thing I've been doing is survive day to day. I've never done anything else. Hell, I've done this alone!
I no longer know how to have "fun". I don't know anything else but to kill and survive. I need something else to do...

(James)
"Hey Harry."
=My voice was quiet, not wanting to wake the other kids=

"Come on. I want you to come with me."
=I held the door open for him, and he quietly walked out of the room. He had a slouched posture, clearly depressed=

*Harry*
"Where are we going?"

(James)
"We're going to do something that is long overdue Harry. I'm going to teach you how to shoot."

=I then take my hand off of Miranda, and lay on my back, my mind reflecting on all that had happened recently. I almost burst awake at the sight of my dead sister, the screams coming again, but not as intense as they used to be. To say I was relieved would be a bit of an understatement.=

I just want to forget...forget the bad parts...

=My breathing settles down once again, falling into a light sleep=

Miranda rolled over and curled up next to Andrew.
"Hehe..."

Eve nuzzled a bit more. "Do you want me to stop?" she asked, a bit worried Sam might be uncomfortable with Eve's show of affection and thanks.

Hibiki slept like a fucking log. Because she charged a horde on a pickup truck and fought hard.
And sex.
She deserved it.

*Sam*
"Umm, I don't know. It's a bit....odd. I'm not your mom Eve, so I don't think it's right for me to be getting this kind of affection."


(James)
=Harry and I walked out of the inn, and made our way for the warehouse that served as the armory and shooting range for the town. Like I said, I was going to teach him how to shoot. Walking inside, the place was empty except for the guy behind the metal mesh and a few people that were using the range=

"Okay Harry, take this."
=Unloading my pistol, I handed the gun to Harry, who gingerly held it in his hands=

Eve sighed softly, but smiled.
"You held me and spoke softly to calm me...you did that without hesitation...you deserve it..." She rested against Sam again. "You're a nice person..."

That just made Eve feel all the more terrible.

(Sam)
=In a strange way, I welcomed the sensation of Eve resting her head against my shoulder like that. It had been a very long time since anyone had shown me that kind of affection. Against my better judgement, I held her tighter=


*Harry*
"Is this a good idea?"

(James)
"Harry, in this world you're going to have to learn how to shoot. Better we start with targets than real people or walkers."

Hibiki finally woke up.
Finding James gone, she yawned, sat up, and grabbed some water to at least wash her...um...yeah.
Getting dressed and making sure to wipe her hands on her jeans, Hibiki went out to find James teaching Harry how to shoot.
She glanced at the inn...but mother's intuition said that Eve was fine.

Eve welcomed the tighter hug. Sam could feel the girl relax, her heart beat just a bit stronger.
Eve felt safe, like in Hibiki's arms.

=I take look as Miranda cuddles up to me, and I can't help but grin like a schoolboy=

Be cool man...just be cool...

Morning beautiful...

=I lay a hand on Miranda's head, me just content with doing nothing at the moment. Because I was wrung out from battling a horde of zombies...that, and having fun with Miranda=

Nothing can ruin this moment...not one thing

(James)
"First hold the gun in both hands, and get into a proper stance. You want to keep a firm grip on that pistol, so you don't hit yourself from the recoil. Keep your arms loose though, to absorb the recoil."
=I watched as he took the same stance I had, arms held out in front of him, loose while he held a firm grip on the pistol=

"Good. Now, the rest is simple. Aim at what you want to shoot at, then just pull the trigger."
=He did just that, and there was a sharp click as the hammer hit nothing=

Hibiki stood behind them silently, grinning to herself.
How cute they were.
Hibiki then almost doubled over. She had to walk, quickly, out of the warehouse over to side of the road, and threw up in a planter.
"What the fuck..." she said, holding her stomach.


Miranda yawned. "Morning Andy..."

(James)
=I wasn't so engrossed with teaching Harry that I didn't hear what sounded like someone making a restrained gagging sound, followed by the doors opening and closing. I turned around, barely catching a glimpse of Hibiki all but running out of the warehouse=
HIBIKI!!!

"Harry stay there!"
=Then I ran out of the warehouse, and found Hibiki doubled over the side of the road, hands on her stomach as she puked=

"Hibiki, are you okay?"

=I get up and start to get dressed=

You feeling well?

=It was an innocuous question, to be honest=

"Yeah...I don't know what's wrong...I just had to throw up."
She took a few deep breaths. "I'm fine, really." She stands straight, but left on arm over her stomach. "I'll need something to wash this smell and taste away..." she said softly.

Miranda nodded. "Yeah. I feel well...better, thanks to you."

(James)
"Well do you want to sit down and I'll grab some water?"
=Where I'd find a bottle of water at this point was hard to say, but I had to try something=

=I smile as I finish up putting on my gear=

See Andrew, nothing has gone wrong for you...yet...

You're welcome, m'lady.

=I smile once again then triple check that my gear is secure=

Don't say it, you dolt...don't say it...

"Please..." Hibiki said, sitting down on the nearest bench. "But first, get Harry out of there."
She smiled weakly, feeling a bit woozy.

(James)
=I was concerned for her more than Harry, which I know was a bit of an asshole kind of thing. Harry was my responsibility now, so he should come first. Grunting in response, I got up and walked back into the warehouse=
"Harry, come here. Lesson's canceled for today, so I want you to head back to your room at the inn. You know how to get there?"

=He nodded, handing me my gun and leaving the warehouse. I walked over to the man in the cage, and I noticed a look of concern on his face=
"Hi, do you have some kind of towel or something?"

=In response, he just took out a clean looking hand towel from under his desk, which I promptly took=
"Thank you."

=Leaving the warehouse, I walked back over to Hibiki, who was still sitting down. I handed her the towel=
"Are you okay?"

She nodded. "Yes. I'm fine...I just need some water."
Hibiki wiped her face.
What was going on?

(James)
"Then if you can, try and stand up and I'll walk with you over to the bar. If anywhere is going to have a drink, even water, it's there."
=I held out a hand for her to take=

=I finish up my checks and look to Miranda=

You up for a walk right now?

=I, of course, just needed the fresh air=

You know, just the two of us?

Miranda grinned, getting up and dressed.
"Of course."


Hibiki took his hand. "I've broken down doors, fought gangsters with AKs, and drove a SWAT Tank through a crack den. I can walk to a damn bar."

(James)
"Heh, I don't doubt that Hibiki. But humor me a little?"
=Taking her hand in mine, I walked with her over to the bar. Walking inside, we found the place was crowded, which made sense. If I had been part of the group that took out a horde of zombies I'd be drinking too. Weaving through the people, we got to the bar where the barkeep was standing=

"You have any water?"

*Barkeep*
"Yeah, we got some water. Not the cleanest but we do our best. What have you got?"

(James)
=In response, I took out the clip from my Glock, and placed it on the table. He looked at the clip like it might have been gold, took it, walked away for a moment, and came back with two dirty glasses filled with water. The stuff wasn't exactly clear, but none of it looked hazardous=

=I wait for Miranda to finish getting dressed=

Shall we be off?

=I hold out my hand and let her take it=

Hibiki blushes.
"James, that's an entire clip..." She sighed, then drank. She felt a little better. "That's better..." She rested her forehead on the counter.
Fuck.
No.
Fuck.
No.
Oh god.
You idiot.
You idiot Hibiki.


Miranda took Andrew's hand. "Let's."

(James)
=I just got more concerned when she rested her head on the counter. My hand going to her shoulder, I got down close to her=
"Hibiki? Hibiki, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

"James, I have an idea, but I'll need to check up on it...But I'm ok, just dizzy."
She smiled. "Don't worry. I'm fine."

(James)
"You say that, and I just get more concerned. Hibiki, you're starting to scare me a little."
=I kept my voice low, so as not to alarm the rest of the bar=

"James..." She bit her lip. "Protection..." She motioned towards the inn, giving him a look.
Yeah.
She just knew it...

(James)
=I could feel the blood draining from my face as I slowly realized what she was getting at. All I could do was lay my forehead down on the counter=
"Oh. Oooooohhhh man. Oh boy. Uh, you mean, you're....? And we were both....... So I'm....."

"Yes James. From these symptoms, I'm pretty sure I'm pregnant."
Hibiki let out a soft laugh. "Guess me wanting some...fun...kinda backfired..." She sighed. "I could just have a bug...ok? Give it until we leave. If I have the same symptoms, then you can start picking out the baby's furniture."