ZRP-2: Brave New World

(James)
=There was a scream of anger from the direction of the square, but I just waived it off and returned my attention to Sam, failing to resist the urge to tease her=
"So....looks like you've got a little girlfriend there, huh?"

(Sam)
=My cheeks flushed as I looked over at James=
"What? No, no way that's happening. She's a girl like me, she's younger than me, way younger, and....and....."

=Closing my eyes, I sighed as I worked to say the next few words=
"I guess I was hoping that it would be you, that fell for me James."

(James)
=I blinked, shocked by what she had said=
"Uh...what?"

(Sam)
=Eyes open, I stared right at him=
"James, you've been my best friend. I guess I was just hoping that we'd become.....well, more than that."

(James)
"Sam.....I've always cared about you, but like a sister. Hibiki's not a consolation prize for me, I'm in love with her."

Miranda drew away to place her hands on Andy's face.
"Let go. Don't stay with the anger...don't destroy yourself with it."

I left the building soon after, heading straight for the Inn. There I'll check two things. Jennifer and this James man. No, three. I'll see if Wrex is there too.

=I feel Miranda's hand on my face. I then take a few deep breaths to calm my nerves=

Jonah...You're dead...but I'm not going after you

=I then feel the anger leave, replaced by concern=

I'm so sorry...

=I then look to her, taking her hand in mine=

We'll deal with this together...I promise.

(Sam)
"No, I know that James, and I'm not asking you to leave her, God I'm not. It's just......our home is gone. Most of our family is gone, along with our friends. I guess.....I guess, I didn't want to risk one of us dying without the truth being said."

=My head was hanging now, I just couldn't bear looking at him. I felt ashamed, not for saying that I loved him, but for putting him in such an awkward spot. Which is why I was so shocked when I felt his arms embrace me, a feeling I had dreamed of, waited for, for a very a long time=

(James)
"Sam, I'm so sorry. Sorry for hurting you, and sorry for never seeing you, as you wanted me to see you."

(Sam)
"James it's alright, really. Just.....just make sure she knows how much you love her."
=As much as I enjoyed the feeling of him hugging me, I wormed out of the hug, and backed away to three feet=

Eve kissed her mom's cheek before climbing out of bed and heading outside.

Eve then peeked out the door. "Are you all done?"

(Sam)
=Believe it or not, I was thrilled when I heard Eve's voice asking if we were done. Turning back to the door, I called over=
"Yeah, we're done. What do you want Eve?"

=I walked over to her, making sure I had a smile on my face.......because inside, I couldn't help but quietly weep=

(James)
=To say that conversation had me conflicted....was an understatement. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't even considering leaving Hibiki, not when she was pregnant with our child. But hearing Sam say she loved me, and was hoping that I would return the feeling.....I felt like it put a bit of a rift between our friendship. I wasn't lying when I told her she was like a sister to me. In more ways than one, I trusted her more than most blood relatives=

Eve smiled softly and hugged her. "Is everything ok?" She asked innocently, just wondering what the talk was about. "Are you in trouble?" she added, a bit fearfully.

Hey, she was almost thirteen. Legit question.


Mira grinned. "Good. Because I wouldn't have it any other way.'

(Sam)
"Yeah, everything's fine Eve. I just.....had to say a few things was all. Anyway, what's up? You said you had trouble being alone?"

(James)
=Unsure of what to do now, I stood outside on the sidewalk. More than anything, I wanted to be back in bed with Hibiki, to be close to her. But, there was still one other person I needed to talk with, but at the moment I had no idea about where he was=

She nodded. "I was alone...no one really cared for me...until mommy, until James...until you..." She fell silent for a bit. "That's why I act the way I act. Because I don't want to be alone..."

(Sam)
=I couldn't help but kneel down and rub the girl's head, that same smile on my face=
"Well look on the bright side kiddo. You're never alone here, not anymore. You've got people that care about you, and love you. You have friends as well, and friends never leave."

=I smile=

Let's head back...

=I take her hand in mine=

It's been a long day for the both of us.

Mira smiled. "Yeah."
She took his hand.

Eve smiled two, throwing her arms around Sam's neck. "Thank you." she said. "Will you be my friend?"

(Sam)
=I was caught off guard by the hug, though in all honesty it should have been expected. And what was I supposed to do, get out of it? All I could do was hug her back, my arms wrapping around her gently=
"Of course."

Eve's smile brightened, and she rested her head on Sam's shoulder.
"It's all I ever wanted...was someone who cared for me..."
Eve started to tear up. "Now...I have..."

(Sam)
=Hearing the girl about to cry, I stepped in to finish the sentence=
"Now you have a family. Hibiki, James, Harry. Maybe even Andrew. And me. You have all these people that care about you. You're never going to be alone."

=I walk her back to the inn, the both of us silent=

I mean...what more is there to say?

=The expression on my face is one of both grief and anger=

Eve's smile was one of genuine happiness. She wiped away her tears. "I know now..." She paused, then kissed Sam on the cheek. "Thank you for being here for me."

(James)
=I saw Andrew and Miranda walking towards the inn from the direction of the town square, and was glad to see them. Her because I knew she needed to put as many good moments between her and what had most likely happened during her time at the Shepherd camp, and him because I needed to speak to Andrew=
"Andrew, good to see you. Was actually looking for you, we need to talk."


(Sam)
=Having Eve kiss me on the cheek....felt weird. And even a little wrong, but at the same time, it was a nice sensation. The small gesture of affection was welcome to me after having my heart broken like that=
"Anytime Eve."

=I look to James and let Miranda head back to the Inn on her own=

Well...Let's talk

What do you need, James?

(James)
"Marcus pointed us in the direction of an Elite compound in St. Louis. He has a contact there who can gives us high end weapons and gear for the fight against the Shepherds. If you're up to it, we leave in two days."

=I nod, semi-attracted to the offer=

Alright, thanks.

=I sigh, the day's events robbing me of energy=

(James)
=I noticed he looked....troubled. Maybe tortured?=
"Hey, is everything alright? You look.....like you were dragged through shit or something."

=I rub my hand over my face to ward of the exhaustion=

No...it's just...I received news I really didn't want to hear.

=I ball one of my hands into a fist, the anger surfacing again slightly=

Eve's smile, somehow, got brighter.
"Anytime..." she said slowly. "I've never...really had a friend..."
Eve looked at her with honest eyes. "Can you teach me?"

(Sam)
=I looked at the girl with a curious look=
"Teach you what?"


(James)
"Ah. Do you....want to talk about it man?"
=I walked carefully, sensing that I was on very thin ice here=

=I close my eyes and let out a few deep breaths to ease some of the tension=

Yeah. Just as a friend.

=I feel myself knot up a bit=

Well...I had a talk with Miranda...and I asked her what 'they' did to her...

=I again ball one of my hands into a fist=

(James)
=I could see where this was going=
"Oh geez Andrew......I- I don't know what to say man. Sorry just doesn't cut it, you know?"

Eve looked ashamed. "I don't really know how to have, or be, a friend." She said really quietly. She stared at her sneakers, shifting her weight from foot to foot.

(Sam)
"Well, being a friend is not really something that can be taught. More like shown how to do. I guess the first thing to cover though is, talking?"

=I nod=

No...no it doesn't

I know...you don't have to say anything. Just being here helps.

=I then feel the rage bubbling up again, and I force myself to keep my self-control=

(James)
"Andrew, I can only guess what you're feeling right now. I mean, I just buried our friends and family yesterday, so I know that anger, that need to lash out. All I can say is that you need to control it, not the other way around, especially when we're still here in town."

Eve nods.
"Ok. What do friends talk about?"

=I nod somberly=

I know. And that's the hard part.

=I clench and unclench my hand, right now my only means of maintaining a degree of self-control=

(Sam)
"Well, I don't really know. Mostly it would be how you're feeling, or what's been going on lately. Other times it would be stuff like playing a game."

(James)
"Andrew, if you and Miranda want to sit this one out until you feel ready, I won't judge you over it. Besides, she'll need you now more than ever."

Eve nods. "Ok." She said. She then hugged Sam again. "I'll do my best...but...this..still is...new to me." Eve revealed softly.

=I nod=

I know. I gave her my word we'll deal with this.

=I finally relax, my anger having subsided=

And trust me...she's tougher than you think.

(James)
"I'm more worried about you man. You're the one with the guns and muscle."
=The joke felt a little out of place=

(Sam)
"Well, in this world, finding something to talk about as friends is difficult."

She sighs softly. "I guess..." Eve thinks for a bit, silent, then speaks.
"Is it a problem I'm taking up some of your bed?" she asked. "I don't want to be a burden to you..."

=I give James a small grin, the joke not lost on me=

I know...but I'll manage.

=I give one last look to James before I head back to the Inn=

And don't leave without us...you'll have a hard time convincing us otherwise.

=I make my way to the Inn, knowing that there was a long road to recovery for both Miranda and I=

(Sam)
"Nah, it's fine. I gotta say though, you curling up next to me like that.....it's just a little uncomfortable for me is all. It feels more like that's something meant for you and your mother."

(James)
=I followed Andrew back into the inn, at a loss for what to do now. Well, other than snuggle up next to Hibiki I mean. Entering our room, I got in bed with her, lightly kissing her forehead to let her know I was back=

Her mouth slightly trembles.
"You don't like that?" She looks a bit sad. "I won't do it anymore then. I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

(Sam)
Well actually now that you mention it it does feel good a little...
=But I wasn't about to say that to her=

"How about we get to know each other a little bit better, that way I won't be so uncomfortable next time, huh?"


(James)
=Snuggling close to Hibiki, I draped my arm over her, keeping her close to me=

Eve nods happily. "Ok!"
Her smiled was back, and her hug was a bit more warm.

Hibiki murmurs in her sleep, moving closer to James, her body moving automatically.

(James)
=Without really thinking about it, my hand drifted down so that it hovered over her belly. A warm feeling went through me as that same thought went through my head=
A father. I'm going to be a father.


--50 Miles South of Mt. Vernon--

=The Shepherds that had attacked the caravan had traveled south to meet up with Jonah's group, and they had a trophy with them. The RV was at the head of the group of vehicles, and when they drove into Jonah's camp, he was the first to run out, pound on the side of the RV hooting like a child who got their first bike=

=I head back into my room, laying my equipment on a chair and plop down on the bed, feeling somewhat drained=

Well...at least I have a reason to fight...and it's not for revenge

=I lay down on my back, staring at the ceiling. I then turn to Miranda=

James and I talked. He said we have the option to stay here or go with them.

=I try and look positive=

It's your choice on whether we stay or go. Either way, I'll be there for you.

(Sam)
"So....how long have you been with Hibiki?"


--Shepherd Camp--


*Jonah*
"We should all be thankful, for this great bounty delivered to us from God."
=He shouted down to his men from atop the RV, as he stood there with arms wide open=

"I lost my daughter to the unworthy, the heretics. And in return God smote down their own in righteous fury. Praise God!"
=They all cheered, weapons raised into the air=

"Two years...two years I lived half a lie and half a life...Now...I just want to be loved..."

Miranda crossed her arms. "if you try and run, then you're running alone. It's time to strike back and put these bastards down."

=I sit there, speechless, for a few seconds=

Well...guess my little aside to James was right...

Well...I guess my mind's made up.

=I smile=

We'll show them not to mess with us. I guarantee it.

(Sam)
"Well, I think James said earlier that that won't be a problem anymore. What was it like, traveling with her for two years? Got any stories?"

(James)
=Hand moving from her stomach, I reached up to her face, brushing a few strands of hair away=
God....she's so beautiful.