ZRP-2: Chapter Two, Paradise in Hell

=I then get a knock on my door=

Yes?

Guard: Are you with James?

That's a yes.

Guard: There's going to be a meeting in his hospital room.

Alright then. I'm tired of sitting on my ass.

=I then take Miranda with me, and follow the guard=

Guard: Uhh...

She comes with me unless you don't want to have any children.

Guard: Got it.

=I continue to follow the guard to James's hospital room=

"You got some time. I need to clear my head first. Keep her safe."
Hibiki kissed Eve's forehead and went off.

Eve looked up at Sam. "You're warm and soft." She said bluntly, snuggling against Sam's side.


Mira followed with a grin.

(Sam)
"Okay that was random Eve...."
=I said it just as bluntly as her, and walked off towards the hospital. Whatever was going on, it seemed to have Hibiki worried. That made me worried too=

=I wear a small grin=

I said we're going to do this together...and I like to keep my promises.

=I continue to follow the guard, who's expression was less than pleased=

Eve shrugged. "I don't know how to do this. I just...am trying to be....a friend?"
She looked nervously at her sneakers.

Mira facepalmed.

(Sam)
"Well, it's a good attempt, but try to choose your words carefully, along with the timing. People can get the wrong impression sometimes."
=We had left the hotel, and reached the hospital entrance. More guards, not that many staff, but still some people in scrubs. I headed for James' room=

=I shake my head=

Yeah...I'll shut up now.

=I continue to follow the guard up to James's room=

Nice job there, you dolt...

"I'll...try." Eve said. "Sorry..."

Hibiki had chosen a quiet room. Removing her Katana, she began to practice kendo as well as all the martial arts she already knew.
It always calmed her down.

(James)
=So, let me be frank with you here: sitting in a hospital room, is one of the most fucking torturous, boring, and life sucking experiences of all time. For me anyway, though I guess it's still no where near as bad as when I found my caravan destroyed. Point is, you lay in bed for hours, nothing to really do, while you wait for the doctor or nurse to come in and talk to you, tell you how you're doing. And then you wait for company, for friends and family, just to have friendly chats. Instead I was left with my thoughts and Sam's words for company=

(Sam)
=We finally reached James' room, and I walked inside. Normally I would have waited for a doctor or nurse to clear me but there was no one around really=
"Hey James."

(James)
"Aww man, you're not here to tear me another new one are you?"

=I then come into James's hospital room=

I'm doubtful about that, my friend.

=I give him a small grin=

Eve popped out from behind Sam.
"I'll do something to make her stop." She said quietly, taking Sam's hand.

(James)
"It's fine Eve."
=A sudden scent caught my attention, and I turned to Sam=

"Did you just take a shower? With soap?"

(Sam)
=Blushing, I nodded=

(James)
"Lucky.....I haven't even had a sponge bath. Wait, you guys aren't here for that are you?"

Eve wrinkled her nose. "No."

=I laugh=

Of course not.

=I still laugh, not able to keep a straight face=

(James)
"Woo, thank God for that. It'd be awkward as hell..."
=I suddenly noticed someone missing from the group=

"Where's Hibiki? Heck, where are Abel, Brook and Tyler?"

=I cock up an eyebrow=

The three newcomers...that I don't know. Probably somewhere in the compound.

=I shrug=

Where Hibiki went to...heck if I know.

"Mommy needed to clear her head. She was...mad."
Eve hid against Sam a bit. "She's scary when mad..."

(James)
"Somehow, I don't doubt it."
Still....I wish she was here. Having her in the same room would help me get to a speedy recovery

(Sam)
"By the looks of things, she had big news, maybe something important to share. No idea what it was though."

=I shrug my shoulders=

I don't have a clue either.

=I frown for a second=

But that's not a first for me.

Brook was leading Tyler and Abel around the compound when a guard came up to them and informed them of a meeting in James' room. "See Tyler? He is alive." She said and followed the guard to the hospital and into James' room. She looked around at the others, and took her place in the corner. "Good to see you're alive James." She said with a smile.

(James)
=When the three of them entered, I nodded greeting to each of them. Brook said it was good to see me alive, smiling, and I found myself returning it=
"Thanks Brook. Good to see you're all doing better than me. Now....if only we had Hibiki for this meeting."

"I've been waiting for you."
Hibiki just...materialized behind Sam.

In truth, she followed the trio in and walked up behind Sam while no one paid attention.

Hibiki then told them EVERYTHING that happened, from the shitty elevator music to the farewell to Clarissa.

"So, any questions?"

Brook was just silent, knowing that somehow they'd do all of this work and nothing would happen or change.

(James)
"Yeah, I've got one: DEATH THREATS? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?"

"He threatened you. I'm pregnant."
Hibiki scowled.

=I stand, a bit speechless=

Okay...I figured this guy was a nutter.

=I then go into a bit of shock=

Correction...This guy is a fucking lunatic.

(Sam)
"Wait what? She's wha--? You two already?"
=Okay that was one hell of a bombshell of news=

(James)
=I went from angry to embarrassed, my cheeks going flush=
"Yeah we.....were going to tell you."

=I smiled=

I was the other one to be let in on the secret.

=I grin=

Well... I guess it's not much of a secret now.

(James)
"Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Slate is clearly out of his mind, and dangerous to boot. Siding with Clarissa is a smart move, but if we do anything too....overt, I'm a dead man."

(Sam)
"So we play ball for a bit, and help where we can. Maybe someone should keep an eye on you?"

"This all sounds like bullshit to me." Brook piped up. "I think they're both playing us, and maybe we should just leave when we all get the chance.."

Eve blinked. She looked up at Sam. She looked around.
Eve sighed and hugged Sam, closing her eyes and nestled against Sam.

Hibiki turned scarlet.
"Um...sorry...hormones, anger, and this strange craving for chocolate milk have me...like this." She stood straighter.

"Sam and Eve can watch you, James. Brook can take Abel and Tyler and take out the walkers. I can lead the troops and take out thee Shepherds. Yes, bullshit, but we can gain powerful allies if we play right."

(James)
"When we get the chance could be in a few days Brook, since I still need to recover to the point I can walk. And I took a bullet for these guys, so we could get weapons and people to fight the Shepherds."
=I stopped for a moment, a sudden twinge of pain in my abdomen=

"If Marcus trusted her, then I do. Or at least, I'll take her word with a grain of salt."

=I turned to face Hibiki=

"One person should be more than enough Hibiki. As for dealing with the walkers and Shepherds, that should be their choice on which battle to fight."

=I nod =

Brook, you heard them. Slate's a damn brain case.

=I look to Hibiki=

Where do I fall into all of this?

She mumbled something, looking around. She thought some words she wouldn't say out loud to herself and then rolled her eyes. "Whatever.. But if we die don't say I didn't tell you so."

"You and Mira get to join me for a thrilling game of Shoot the Shepherds."

(James)
"Brook, if we die then I will gladly accept the 'I Told you so.' But for now, there's nothing else we can do."

=I grin wickedly=

Just point me in the right direction.

=I take out my knife=

I've been needing to vent on something.

"Sam. Watch them both. I'm counting on you. Ok?"
Hibiki grabbed Sam's shoulder. "She's my world. He's who I love. Please."

(James)
"Before we all start heading off to our own tasks....Hibiki, can we have a word in private?"

(Sam)
=I was about to say "Of course" when James interrupted me=

=I nod=

Well...I wait the encounter with interest.

=I then lead Mira out of the room=

Hibiki sighed. "Alright."
She looked into Sam's eyes, then let go.

Eve broke away to hug her. With a smile, Hibiki hugged back.
"You're fond of her. Stick with Sam, ok honey? Love you."
"I love you too, mommy."
Eve hugged Hibiki, then went back to clinging onto Sam.

(James)
=When they left, and Hibiki was the only one besides me in the room, I couldn't help but hear the anger in my voice=
"Hibiki, I know it's mostly you being fueled by hormones, and that you're very protective of me, but what the hell? Threatening the people here, even if it is the truth, is not going to get us what we need, Marcus' source be damned."

(Sam)
=Eve and I waited out in the hall, and I could barely hear James' voice=

Brook walked away from the group and towards the gate, she requested to be let out of the compound and her weapons and items returned. She was going for a walk, calm her mind...

"I told Clarissa what I'd do. As for the knife trick...It was a show of force. Never a threat. I warned Slate. He'll kill everyone here."
She scowled. "I am not going to be bullied. Ever."

(James)
"I get that, but Hibiki you have to be civil about this. We're trying to get these people on our side, not have them stick a knife in our back, or a bullet in our heads."

"I tried. Then I told him the hard truth. Then he became Jonah."
She crossed her arms.

Eve tugged on Sam's sleeve. "Can we sit down?"

(James)
"From what you told me, Slate never raped anyone, or manipulated his own daughter to spy on people. He's an asshole, but he's no Jonah."
=I took a deep breath, eyes closed. When I opened them I looked back at her=

"Hibiki, you can't.....we can't afford you bumping heads with every single ass out there."

"Fine. I'm sorry." She softened up, sitting down. "I just couldn't control it. I just couldn't."
She hung her head. "I'm a horrible negotiator. I'm better in bed or on the battlefield..."

Eve poked Sam again.

(James)
=I chuckled at that=
"Won't argue there....but Hibiki, if it's not me and it's not Andrew, then it's you, for now anyway, that speaks for this group. So please, either get your head in the game or I'll find someone else to speak for this group."

(Sam)
"Wha--? Oh, sorry Eve. Just distracted. What's up?"

"Andrew is too focused on revenge for Miranda. Miranda isn't a negotiator. The other three...and Eve barely talks to others except me and Sam."
Hibiki sighed. "I can't do this while pregnant."

Eve sighed. "Can we sit down?"