ZRP-2: Chapter Two, Paradise in Hell

(Sam)
"Sure."
=I go to find a seat in the waiting room, Eve sitting next to me=

"Something on your mind?"

(James)
"I know, and it's unfair to place this kind of burden on you. But you need to try harder. Dammit Hibiki, I was reckless and irresponsible, and look where that landed me!"

Brook had recived her items and left the compound without saying a word to anyone, though she wasn't going far, she just had to be with her items knowing they were safe.. She walked around outside of the compound, admiring the view, for what it was worth.

"I feel funny. Like. My heart. Emotionally. I can't explain it. Can you help?" She looked up at Sam.

"I know. But I'm not exactly the poster girl for negotiating. I'm a fucking Jedi: Aggressive Negotiations! I can't help it." She held her face in her hands. "How can I do so? Dammit James, I'm not cut out for smiling and being a fucking floormat!"

(James)
"Then don't be a floormat! But also don't be a fucking assault tank blowing down walls."
=My face twisted in pain, the shouting making my wound act up again=

(Sam)
"Well, try and better describe it. What does it really feel like?"

"Happy. And weird. Like how I feel towards Mommy, but different. Like...like..." she frowned. "Warm. Like I wanna glow."

Hibiki laughed. "I'm an assault tank, James. You are the negotiator. I'm just the gun-toting fuckbuddy who's pregnant with out of Control hormones."

I never really left the room. I just stood outside of it, wondering what the yelling was about. But Andrew is here too.
So now if I'm caught I could say I was just talking with Andrew. Might as well begin right?

"Hey, Andrew. Where'd you get that Knife?"

(James)
"Hibiki!"
=I was caught off guard by the anger in my voice=

"You....are not a fuckbuddy to me. You're more than that, you always were. And controlling your hormones is too much to ask, I know that. But you need to try. If this war is to really succeed, we can't afford you being like this whenever I'm down....or if I die, and you end up taking the reigns."

(Sam)
"Uhh...I'm not sure Eve, but it sounds like love, or at least deeply caring about someone. You feel happy when they're close, in your thoughts, and they make the world seem less dark. Is that what it's like?"
Because that's sure as hell how I felt about James.

"I don't know love. I don't understand it. But I feel this on a different scale with mommy." She looked at Sam. "What do I do about this...love?"

Hibiki sobbed. "I'd kiss you if I wasn't afraid of hurting you."

=I look to Tyler, and cock an eyebrow=

Ah, this old thing?

=I twirl the knife=

It's an old gift from my dad, before the outbreak.

(James)
"Hibiki.....I'm already hurt."
=I reached a hand out towards her=

"You can't hurt me anymore than I already am Hibiki. And I want you with me. Next to me."

(Sam)
"Well, sometimes the best thing to do is confront the emotion. Or confront the source of it, whoever you feel this emotion towards."

Eve blushed. "I don't know how I would."

Hibiki took his hand, standing and leaning over to kiss him.
"I love you...I'm so sorry..."

(Sam)
"Well, let me give you an example. I was in love with this one guy, and while we were talking I dropped subtle hints here and there. But, guys are idiots. We have to spell stuff out and I'm side tracking. Point is, I flat out told him how I felt."

(James)
"Don't be sorry. Just try."
=Still, I returned the kiss=

"So...just tell the person I love them? But...I love mommy. Is there a difference?" She blushed.

Hibiki smiled, relaxing. "Alright."

(Sam)
=I smiled at that=
"Yeah, there's a major difference. Friends, we love to be around, and family we love because they've always been there. But loving someone else....to be in love with someone else, is hard to describe. They make you feel things friends and family can't. Your heart races, your thoughts lose focus on everything but them, and sometimes....all you ever want is to hold them."

"Ah. Mind if I ask how you got it into the compound? Or are we allowed to have our weapons back?"

It's sad how My Weapons are the only conversation topic on my mind. Most other parts of my mind are filled with thoughts of Jennifer...

Eve froze. Then said a few words no kid should say.
"Um...um...Sam?"
Eve looked extremely nervous. "Sam...um...then...I...I..."
Eve squeaked something unintelligible....
"I..."
If you exist God, please don't let this end badly.
"...love..."
AND DON'T LET MOMMY KILL HER
"...you, Sam."

=I chuckle a bit=

I didn't get it in.

=I smile=

Kind Officer gave it back to me. Turns out he knew my dad before the outbreak.

=I sheathe the knife=

Funny thing how the past creeps up on ya like that.

(Sam)
=I barely heard the words. Barely, but I still made them out=
She....loves me? Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod.....Hibiki is going to kill me

"Uh, Eve that's nice and all but.....maybe you're just really affectionate towards me as a friend and I mean, you've never felt this kind of thing before so maybe it's not love."
=Try as I might, I couldn't deny that from the description I gave her, it sounded like she was in love, with me no less. Thoughts of how good it felt holding her close, her kiss on my cheek, flooded my brain and I suddenly found it hard to breathe, my face flushed scarlet=

"But my description and what you said..."
She looked at her lap. "I'm sorry. Please don't hate me. I didn't mean - I mean I couldn't - I...I..."
Eve reached for Sam's hand. "Don't leave me alone. Oh please don't..."

(Sam)
=I took the girl's hand in my own=
"Eve, I don't hate. I'll never hate you. But love you? You're younger than me, and you're a girl like me. I just....I never thought of entering any kind of relationship that way."

And yet here I am, thinking how good it felt when she kissed my cheek
"You're my friend Eve. And I value that more than you realize. But love? I don't think...I'm not sure I'm ready for that."

Brook wandered back into the camp, she was relieved of her M14, but the guards let her keep her .357 this time. "Well well, Sam... Thank you." She said to herself and walked to the trader, and isntantly.. She found something. ((http://www.kingofswords.com/images/SpyWatcherFantasyArmSword.jpg)) She walked up to the trader and I handed her 7 knives for this one sword and the trader nodded, and out Brook went with her new weapon attached to her arm. She wanted to try it out, but she knew it needed sharpening, so she found a quiet spot outside and picked up a rock and started to sharpen her new sword.

Eve leaned against Sam. "I...I don't know what to say or do..." she sighed softly. "Will you still hold me?"

"Oh... that's awesome. Or at least forunate."

I lean against the wall.

"Could you... I dunno. Convince him to get my pocket knife? Yanno, the one my dad gave to me."

I look off to the left, away from him. I guess it was the question but I can't look at him.

(Sam)
=There wasn't much I could say against that. Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I pulled her in for a hug, holding her close and despite myself, I reveled in her warmth and presence=

=I shake my head, smiling=

I doubt it, kid.

=I grin=

I think that's something you'll have to do yourself.

She smiled, closing her eyes.
"You're warm...and nice..."

(Sam)
=Against my better judgement, I whispered back to the girl=
"So are you."

(James)
"Now what?"

"Okay then. I was just wondering if you would or not."

Again, kid. Just deal with it. I am, shut up.

"So uh... I guess yoiu and that uh... woman are together? The one you're with alot."

Eve's smile softened. "Thank you."

Hibiki shrugged. "Dunno. But if you scoot over, we can at least get some rest together."

=I look to him and smile=

Yeah...that I am.

=My smile fades a bit=

It's been two years...but we're back together again

(James)
=I grinned, though it was strained=
"Bit of a small bed Hibiki. Not sure we'd be comfortable."

(Sam)
"Anytime Eve."
=I murmured it softly=

"So.. you two have been seperated for the most part of the End of the World? How'd you find eachother?"

Oh, fuck. You're treading into waters you shouldn't be again.

Hibiki sighed. "The bed is just big enough. Start being an optimist. What, you don't want me close to you?"
She stuck her tongue out.

Eve blushed, then went to give Sam a quick kiss on the cheek when no one was looking. "Last one."

=I nod=

I don't want to talk about it.

=I hang my head, my mind headed to a dark place once again=

"I'm sorry, I just blurt out things I shouldn't. Sorry."

I look away from him again. How foolish was I?

(James)
=Smiling, I scooted over as best I could without causing too much pain, leaving a space big enough for her to lay down and cuddle next to me=

(Sam)
=Small tendrils of pleasure spread out across my cheek from the kiss, and a part of me I never really knew felt tempted to kiss her back. On the lips. I soon killed that notion=

=I smile a bit=

It's okay...bad habit of mine as well.

=I then look to Miranda and back to Tyler=

As Miranda sometimes likes to point out.

"Yeah. I wish I was with mine right now."

I shake my head. What was I saying?

"Wait- I uh- Er... I don't know."

=I smile, chuckling a bit=

Relax a little.

=I grin=

It helps keep you sane.

Hibiki curled up at James' side, cuddling close.
"I love you...so don't be stupid ever again."

Eve returned to her previous position. "Will you hum to me again?"

Brook slowly sharpened her blade, looking down it and holding it to the light to see how much it shined for her. It still wasn't battle ready, but her blade was getting there. She slowly hummed a calming tune she heard in a movie once and sharpened her blade.

(Sam)
"Of course."
=Holding Eve close, I quietly hummed an old lullaby I heard once in foster care=

(James)
"I'll do my best Hibiki."
=Wrapping an arm around her, I held her close, kissing her forehead while one hand lightly stroked her hair=

"So...doubt the doctors will let you stay here forever."

"It helps keep me sane knowing I'm leaving behind somebody? Keeping them worried that I might never come back? No..."

That was a little more harsh then I had intended.

"Again, I'm sorry. I just shout out things..."

=I sigh, a kindly smile on my face=

It's alright to worry...

=I keep my smile=

And don't worry about it...it happens to me a lot as well.

"Perhaps it would be best if I just stay quiet until we attack the walkers."

"I had the balls to threaten Slate with a sword when surrounded by guns. Questions?"

Eve relaxed, going limp as she let go and just rested. Only her breathing showed she was still awake.
"I like your humming..."

=I smile=

You're going against the walkers, kid.

=I point my thumb to myself=

I get to take on the Shepherds on.

(James)
=I snorted a little, and rested my head against hers=
"Well, looks like I found my body guard then...."

(Sam)
"Thanks Eve...."

"Oh, right. I just got mixed up. Things in my head 'n' all."

I give a sly smile.

=I grin=

It's alright.

=I smile=

It happens.