ZRP-2: Chapter 3, The Coming Storm

=I take a deep breath, trying to relax a bit=

Just keep calm...just keep calm...

=I see a doctor come in, an orderly wheeling in some materials to deal with a possible infection. The orderly then ties me to the bed=

This is going to hurt...a lot...

=I watch as the doctor takes a cotton swab to a bit of rubbing alcohol, and then I grit my teeth as white hot pain rips through my body as I briefly thrash about in pain=

Yeah...this is going to hurt...

Since it was raining I decide to get back to the car and into the back seat. There I wait. Wait for what? I don't know.

Hibiki nodded. "Ok." She said.
She fell silent.

Eve looked at Sam. ""Come over?" She asked.

(Sam)
=Smiling a little, I sat down by the girl. I wasn't sure what would happen now, or in the coming days. We were back in St. Louis, with the town behind us. And now....now the war was meant to truly begin=

(James)
=I looked down at where my hand was, my cheeks blushing a little. She had brought my hand down to her chest, and while she still had clothing, it was pressed against her breasts=
"Uh, I should probably take my hand back."

Hibiki let go. "Sorry my breasts are right next to my heart. Please take up your complaints with the Almighty."

Eve scooted behind Sam, then started to gently massage Sam's back. It wasn't the best...but it was something.
"You...give all this to me...I can...try and give back..yeah?" She said nervously, her hands gently but a bit firm at times..

(James)
"Hey, no complaints here."
=Leaning forward, I kissed her on the lips this time, her hand crushed in mine=

(Sam)
=The back rub felt good, even if it wasn't the best. It had been a while since I had given my sore muscles any relief, so I was thankful that Eve was willing to help=

Hibiki kissed back.

Eve paused. "C-could you...lie on your stomach? Please?"

(Sam)
=I did as she asked, and laid flat on the bed=

(James)
=I broke the kiss off, getting off the bed=
"Wish we could take this further....but Marcus and the others are waiting by the stadium, and Clarissa agreed to talk for a deal. I'm going to get Marcus and bring him here to work out where everyone will be staying. Care to come with?"

Eve scooted her shirt up to her shoulders and started massaging Sam's bare back, now able to get to lower areas hindered by silly things called clothes.

Hibiki nodded. "Your welcome back to life present is going to stay here and recover."

(Sam)
=Whoa okay, her lifting my shirt up was not what I had expected. Even though her hands did feel warm and soft, it was definitely not what I had in mind. Which was why I rolled over abruptly, tossing her to the side of the bed=
"Whoa, okay Eve maybe don't lift up my shirt, okay?"

(James)
"Heh, suit yourself."
=Leaning down one last time, I gave her a quick kiss before leaving the room. I stopped at the door though, to turn back and look at her=

"I promise I'll be back."
=Then I left=

Eve had started cowering after she was tossed to the side. She hide her face. "Imsorryimskrryimsorry."She said quickly. "I just wanted it to feel comfortable. IImsorryImsorry." She sniffed a bit.

Hibiki rolled over to take another nap.

(Sam)
=The frightened tone of her voice all but broke my heart, and I shuffled over to her, pulling her into a hug=
"Eve, it's okay. I just wasn't expecting it, that's all. I'm not angry."

(James)
=Walking out of the hotel, I made for the stadium, no longer needing Cooper to guide me. It wasn't long before I found the caravan, the cars all lined up outside the stadium. Marcus saw me, and walked over=
"Marcus, glad to see they let you in. Listen. Clarissa has agreed to let everyone into the city, but not into the hotel. You guys need to set camp somewhere else."

*Marcus*
"Sounds good. Any suggestions?"

(James)
=Shaking my head, I thought for second=
"None. We'll have to work something out."

Eve snuggled into the hug, letting herself sob once. She relaxed.
"I'm sorry...I can't stop it. I keep getting scared. I don't know what to do."
She nuzzled Sam's shoulder. "I won't do that again...I just was tryi g to mame you comfortable for every time you've beld me. Hugged me. Stood my clinging. She finished, fallng silent.

(Sam)
=Stroking her hair, I rested my cheek against the top of her head=
"Eve, it's fine. I'm sorry about that, just warn me next time okay?"

*Marcus*
"That we will. Come on, let's talk with Clarissa, see what we can do for our people."
=He started walking for the hotel, and James fell behind him=

(James)
"So, which would be better? In the city or across the river?"

*Marcus*
"The closer we stay together, the better. So I'd have to say on this side of the river. We may be able to find an apartment complex here or something we could clear out and take over. Give people a place to live."

Eve calmed down. "Ok." She said. She didn't move. "I don't want to be scared. But I can't stop it. I want to stop it." She said softly.

(James)
=We arrived back in the hotel, taking the elevator up to Clarissa's floor. I was surprised at how many of the bodyguards there seemed to know Marcus. They nodded at him, waved hello, one even saluted. I kept any questions I had to myself though. We stepped off the elevator, and found Clarissa eating in the next room. She seemed surprised to see us, though that look was replaced by a more appropriate business like look=

*Clarissa*
"James. And Marcus, welcome back old friend. I assume you're here to strike a deal for your people?"

*Marcus*
"Yes. We're willing to set up camp within the city, somewhere we can take for our own. Though we'd prefer it if it was somewhere within this compound, for safety reasons."

*Clarissa*
"Of course, and that can be easily arranged. I do believe that there are some free apartment buildings, even condominiums a few blocks away."

(James)
=That had me interested=
"Huh, then why stay in a hotel?"

*Clarissa*
"It was the only building with the villa."
=She said it as if that was explanation enough=

=I hit my fist on the bed as they continues to disinfect the wounds, the stinging making me grit my teeth in pain. Still, it was better than the alternative of infection. So I put up with it for the time being. A doctor then wheels in a blood bag with an I.V., but I don't cringe at it. I've been around more than my fair share of needles.=

Doctor: This is just to help you recover. You lost quite a bit of blood, so this may take a while.

=I nod in mute understanding=

Doctor: There may be a pinprick when we put in the I.V., but you should be fine when this is over.

=The doctors then hold down my left arm as they insert the I.V., the insertion indeed feeling like a pinprick=

Doctor: Now rest up, young man. Doctor's orders.

=They leave me be, a needle in my arm as one doctor remained to check on the progress of the transfusion=

Just relax Andy...just be grateful to be alive...

(James)
"Okay, not sure what kind of sense that makes, but I won't argue the point. Besides, if it means the people get a building of their own, what does it matter?"
=I stepped towards a nearby window=

"So, where is this apartment building?"

*Clarissa*
"I'll leave that up to you, though there are only two within the safety of this compound."

(Sam)
"Then I'll do what I can to help, but Eve.....being afraid is a choice. You choose to be afraid, and the sooner you accept that, the sooner you'll stop being afraid."

Eve nodded. "I'll try. For you at least. So you dont have to be worried if you accidently do something." She said, snuggling a bit closer but being careful to not suffocate Sam.

"So, how is everyone?"

I try to kill the silence within the car. It's dreadfully silent in here. And when it's quiet I get nervous.

(Sam)
"Good enough."

(James)
"Then I guess it will have to come down to a vote. Marcus, we may as well head back, give everyone the news."

*Marcus*
"Agreed. Clarissa, always a pleasure."
=He turned out of the room, James following close behind. They entered the elevator, and only then did he release the breath he had been holding=

(James)
=I frowned at him=
"Something wrong?"

*Marcus*
"That was...easier than I was expecting. I guess I'm just so used to having to deal with Slate that I always expect a battle."

(James)
"I can imagine. At least he's a pancake now."

Eve nuzzled Sam's neck. "I'm trying..." she said quietly. "Because I don't want to lose these hugs."

(Sam)
=Of all things, that made me chuckle=
"Hugs? Eve, trust me there's a whole lot more at stake here than hugs."

=That may have implied more than I really meant=

*Marcus*
"Yes, so you told me. Thanks again for that, he was a dangerous ass."

(James)
"No problem. Listen, can you handle giving everyone else the news? I need to check on Hibiki, see how she's doing."

*Marcus*
"Of course."
=They walked out of the elevator, and parted ways in the lobby. James headed for his room, while Marcus walked out of the hotel, and back to the stadium. The rain had lightened up now, reduced to a drizzle and people were out of their cars now. When they saw Marcus, most of them walked over to meet him, the desire for answers overwhelming. Marcus held up his hands to placate them=

"Settle down now. We've been allowed to remain within the compound, but we can't stay in the hotel. We need to choose between one of two apartment buildings here in the city."

(James)
=After parting ways, I made my way for my room. I hesitated outside the door, and then let myself in=

Hibiki was sitting in the tub, stripped to a tank top and panties, cleaning her sword thoroughly in the warm spray.

Eve blushed. "Holding hands, too?!" She said fearfully.

(Sam)
"Yeah....holding hands."
=Whew, dodged a bullet there=

(James)
=The first thing I noticed when I walked in, was that Hibiki wasn't on the bed. The light was on in the bathroom though, peeking out from the bottom of the door. Slowly walking to it, I knocked=
"Hibiki? Can I come in? Can we talk?"

Eve snuggled a bit more. "I'll do my best to not be a burden out of combat." She promised. Then a meow, and the cat jumped onto Sam's head and leaned over to meow at Eve.

Hibiki looked back. "Yeah. Come on in."

(Sam)
"Heh, where have you been Sammy? You missed all the action."
=Affectionately, I scratched behind the cats ear=

(James)
=I opened the door, and found Hibiki barely nude in the tub, cleaning her sword. Normally, the sight of her wet and wearing nothing but her bra and panties would have had me yearning for her. But considering what I hear about her suicide attempt......lets just say the thought of her in the tub with a giant blade didn't have me relaxed=
"Uh...could you put the sword away Hibiki?"

=As I talked, I sat down on the toilet, next to the tub=

She wiped the blade clean of moisture. It gleamed. Sheathing it, she set it aside and turned to stradle to tub, looking at him. "I won't commit seppuku, James. I'm sorry I lost it...I feel like a hypocrite and an idiot..."

Eve yawned. "I'm sleepy...Sam? Please...hold me for awhile." She asked as the cat jumped down to sit by the pillow. Ready to curl up with Eve at a moment's notice

(Sam)
"Sure thing Eve."
=I wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in close=

(James)
"Honestly.....I don't really blame you for it. If I were in your shoes at the time..... Well, you already know where I'd be right now."
=I placed a hand on her shoulder, the moisture from the water making it slick, and it slipped a little=



=Marcus and the townspeople discussed the choices for a good ten minutes, before finally settling on one building. They asked one of the guards watching them where it was, and once pointed in the direction, they got back in their cars and drove for it=

Eve started to nod off.
"I...love you...forever..." she said sleepily before falling asleep again.

Hibiki looked at the rim of the tub. "Your not pregnant - at least, I hope you're not, or you have explaining to do - and you...didn't have a busload of people to save..." she looked ashamed. "I didn't even have the decency to try it here when everyone was safe."

(James)
=The last few words had me confused...and concerned. My hand traveled upwards, up her neck until my fingers gently gripped her chin, and I turned her face to look at me=
"What do you mean, 'try it?'"

(Sam)
"Right back at ya kiddo."

"Suicide." She said quietly

Eve went limp with sleep, a small smile on her face.

(James)
=I felt like crying right then. Getting off the toilet, now on my knees before the tub, before her, I could hear my voice shake with barely restrained fear=
"Hibiki...please, promise me you won't try it. Ever. There's no reason for you to kill yourself, not when your safe."

=Looking down, I placed a hand over her stomach=
"And certainly not when you're carrying our child."

Hibiki leaned forward and hid her face in James' hair.
"I promise." Was all she said.

(James)
=Pulling her into a hug, I buried my face in her shoulder. I didn't cry, but I shook, barely containing the urge to weep for her pain=
"Please don't go Hibiki. I need you. I love you."

Hibiki just cried.
"I need you. I need Eve. I can't go on without you both. I love you James. I love you too."

(James)
"Then please, walk away from those thoughts. Hibiki, we all need you, me most of all."
=Pulling back, I looked into her eyes, red from the tears=

"It's going to be okay Hibiki. Neither of us, me or Eve, is going to leave you. Promise."

Hibiki nodded. "Ok..." she looked at her clothes. Well. Her undearwear. "I need to change..." she said softly.l, wanting to change the subject.

(James)
=Glad for the subject change, I smiled a little=
"You sure? We never did get a chance to try out the shower...."

=Yeah, totally the wrong time for that kind of conversation, but if it stirred her away from suicidal thoughts, it was worth it=

Hibiki laughed weakly. "Maybe tomorrow. If anything, I'd rather do it in bed...I don't want to standm" she answered.

(James)
"Okay."
=I stood up, stepping back from the tub=

"Still....never know when's the next time we'll get to use the shower."
=I was teasing her though=

Hibiki smiled softly. "We have morning." She answered, standing up. "I'm going to change..." she said, starting for the bedroom.

(James)
"You want me to wait outside?"
=Still, I walked to the door to the bathroom, and with the sword away and her no longer considering suicide....she was certainly a stunning sight=

"Unless you're planning something or want something. And we're to be wed...you don't have to." She answered, rummaging for some underwear.

(James)
=Smiling, I walked up behind her, though I moved to the side=
"Well, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want something."

=As if to emphasis that, I bent down, and lightly kissed the back of her shoulder=
"You are so beautiful."

Hibiki smiled softly.
"If you want something, take it. You only waste time." She said, I g out her underwear. She reached behind her to unclip the soaked ones from the cleaning of her katana.

(James)
"Honestly, not so sure about the taking. Even if it is offered."
=Still, I couldn't help but run my fingers through her hair=

"Look....I want this Hibiki. But in light of everything that's happened today, maybe not."
=So I stepped away. Yeah, it felt stupid but it was also the right thing to do. Though when she unclipped her underwear, my heart went wild=

"They say sex is a great stress reliever." She tossed her soaked underwear towards the bathroom, now slipping on a fresh pair of panties. "I'm hding you to the shower in the morning."

(James)
=I wasn't planning on anything right now, but I still grabbed her shoulder and pulled her in for a tight embrace. My lips met hers, and a whole lot of stress from today simply vanished. Not all of it, but a good amount=


=The apartment complex itself was mi-sized building, wider than the hotel, and missing the ornate lobby. For the townspeople, it was perfect. People went in groups through, floor by floor, checking for any walkers. They just wanted to be safe=

Hibiki kissed back, wrappi g her arms around James despite lacking half her underwear. Not that she cared.
Hibiki closed her eyes, keeping close to James.