ZRP-2: Chapter 5: Pariah's Warning

Eve found a new tree, and imbed into the foliage.
Tucked away, she just sat quietly...regreting so much.

(Sam)
=I was still sitting in the chair, slumped and on the verge of falling asleep=
Eve....just need a little time alone.

(James)
=In time, I go back to the room and found Sam slumped in the chair. Frowning, I closed the door with enough force to grab her attention=

(Sam)
"Who what what? Oh, hey James."

Hibiki slung the sparking cable into the water.
"Easy fishing tactic." She observed.
"Get a boat to take on water...and it's game over."
"Game over, man!"
Hibiki and Cooper shared a laugh.

(James)
"Sam. We need to talk about Eve. Again."
=I sat at the edge of the bed=

(Sam)
"Look James, I've already told her how I feel. But I am sorry for how it came out. It was....louder, than I intended. Bu-"

(James)
"But you've been through a traumatic event and you need your space, I know Sam. I explained the same thing to her, and she gets it. And she's sorry. She'll tell you in person but right now, she's sorry."

Eve started carving something into the trunknof the tree she was hiding in

I shake off the thought, thinking they would've taken them if they did.

"Now what?"

I feel around my coat and find I still have that vodka bottle. I take it out and look at it.

"Now how did you survive? Hmmm..... half full."

(Sam)
"She never needed to apologize James. It's not like she did any of this on purpose."

(James)
"I know she didn't. And I know you'd never do anything, or mean anything that would hurt her."

Eve continued to carve.

Mira settled down, her face gently pressed against Sarah's, as she fell asleep.

(Sam)
"Well it sure seems like I do just that."

(James)
"That's just bad luck and stupid decisions."

Hibiki collapsed into an armchair with Cooper in the lobby.
"Mostly done. Just need to get some snipers and listenijg posts."
She cracked a rootbeer open and took a swig.

I set it up on top of the dresser next to my hat. Then look around for my book, finding it in my further most right pocket.
I put it on my night stand along with half a bottle of cold medicine. I thought I had more medicine but I guess not.

"Seems we're all unpacked. Man this coat's lighter!"

(Sarah)

=I slowly follow Miranda's lead, drifting off into sleep=

This is what I've been missing for 12 years...family...

=I smile briefly before completely drifting off into sleep=

"Not quite."

I take out the two spare clips from my belt. There were two more, but they must've been used during yesterday's battle.
They too get dropped into the weapon drawer. I feel around for anything more. Just incase I forgot something.

"Oh yeah! Forgot about these."

(James)
"Well, like I told Eve earlier; you're learning the do's and don'ts of this whole relationship. And she understands now that you need space."

(Sam)
"Yeah.....on any other day, I'd want to hold her close and everything...... But now, my skin is crawling, I can't stop shaking, and even the thought of a simple hug makes me feel like thrashing around wildly."

(James)
"Yeah....yeah, I can't imagine any of that. But I can imagine how it would impact the relationship you two have. Or are trying to make anyway."

Finishing her Barqs, Hibiki yawned.
"Anything else needing to be done?"

Eve started to sing quietly in the tree.
" Was a long and dark december... "

*Cooper*
=He watched as the sun began to set=
"Nothing that can get done before dark. Go, get some rest. Wake up early though, because then we're going back to improving fortifications."

(Sam)
"Trying to make......I want this to work. She's like my sister at this point. And before you ask.....I'm sure there will come a time when I can love her as more than a sister. But for now, and for the immediate future, it's just sister."

Hibiki nodded and headed for upstairs.

Eve continued singing Violet Hills outloud, pretty sure no one was there to listen.

(James)
"Sam, trust me. Right now sister is the only level of love I want the two of you to have for each other right now. I know the old world and laws are dead......but she's still a little bit of a kid. That and she's my daughter so....you know, I'm going to be protective of her."

(Sam)
"Heh, yeah I know. Doubt she wants anything on that level right now anyway."

As Eve's song came to a close, she leaned back against the trunk, just quiet.

(James)
"So, feeling any better?"

(Sam)
"Yeah, just a little. Still want some time alone though. Though I guess at some point, you and Hibiki are going to want the room back?"
=I shot him a sly grin=

(James)
=Grinning my self, albeit with a little more red in my face, I looked to the door as if expecting her to walk in wearing lingerie. Not that I ever thought of her as that kinda girl=
"Well, you and Eve may not be boinking anytime soon, but as for me and Hibiki......well, we live in stressful, uncertain times."

Hibiki knocked and entered.
"Ok, so, has the fires died down?" She said jokingly. She sat beside Sam.
"Feeling a bit better sweetie? I can have Eve sleep here and you can have the room to yourself." She offered.

Eve climbed down from the tree and headed for the hotel.

(Andrew)

=I try to get some sleep, but the chair keeps me from having a comfortable night's sleep=

Well...she'll adjust sooner or later...give it time...

=I kept my eyes closed, but I smiled as the thought of some alone time with Mira danced in my head=

Just give it time...

(Sam)
=Whatever measure of better i felt earlier, was diminished when she called me sweetie. My voice took on a calm, level tone, but I could all but feel the heat of the fire in my voice=
"Okay you know what Hibiki? I get that you care about me, and that you're worried. But don't call me sweetie. Ever. And stop calling me your daughter, because I'm not. It's demeaning, and makes me feel like a child that needs protecting."

Hibiki looked like she got slapped. Which Sam might as well did.
Wordlessly, she stood and opened the door.
"I expect you out of my room before I come back."
The door might as well have broken after she slammed it.

Hibiki just walked away, leaving a bewildered Eve to blink as her mom stormed past.

(James)
"Dammit Sam....."
=Having the last word, I ran after my wife, leaving the door open for Eve to slip inside. I reached out and grabbed Hibiki's shoulder=

"Hibiki, wait. Wait dammit."

"If that bitch wasn't recovering, I'd have torn her a new one. Let me go James. Now."
Hibiki was mad, No,
She was furious,
Eve slipped into her room and closed the door. She was sure it was her fault.
So she stripped and hide in the shower, letting the warm water again drench her.
For her, it was calming, and the patter and the warmth helped her think.

Mostly, on how she could possibly ever make up for this.

(James)
"Dammit Hibiki, I'm not letting go. Okay? You're angry, and you want to hurt someone or break something. You're looking at volunteer number one then."

Hibiki screwed her eyes shut.
"I'm not going to hurt you. You wouldn't be able to stand when I was done. So let me go so I can break a few punching bags."

(James)
=For the sake of my own safety, I let go. Though I made sure I stood in her way=
"Hibiki, I'm not going away. I swore I'd be there for you, and I damn we'll am not about to weasel out of that now."

"Then watch me break Cooper's stuff."
She started to walk away.

Eve started to sing Violet Hills by Coldplay again, and, she did so loud enough that it could be heard through the walls.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvpWJhxp8m4&list=FLNq0jmBut3LZoVzGsUXhRgg&index=3

(James)
"Hibiki, just once will you talk about this with me and not just break something?"

"I'm mad she snapped at me when I am treating her with respect. She could have asked nicely for me to not call her that, but she had to snap at me. No, GOD FORBID SHE ACTUALLY TALK CALMLY. GOD FORBID SHE HONESTLY IS STRAIGHT FORWARD WITH ANYTHING, AND GOD FORBID SHE NOT PLAY GAMES."
Hibiki brushed past James.
"There. Talked."

(James)
=Believe it or not, I actually had a casual look on my face. Even silently mouthed, "Okay, that's a start."=
"Okay. And you're first response is to break something. Hibiki, I know you. You're better than this."

"No, my first response was to scold Sam and tear her a new ahole, but I decided to go break something instead."

(James)
"Either way involves breaking something. And you don't see anything wrong with that?"
=I stood behind her, mere inches from her back, my voice in a quiet tone=

"I'm not saying you deserved that response from her. But if you're first response to every time someone snaps at you is to break something, then I apologize, but you have me worried."

"The world goes to hell and you're worried about a mother who barely got her baby out of Hell's Coffee Shop breaking stuff when she's angry?"
Hibiki rolled her eyes.

(James)
"Yes, I'm worried about you and not the world because you are in front of me. You, are what is most important in this world, to me. I am in love with you Hibiki, and believe me when I say it hurts me to see you this angry, to see you at the point of breaking things and grinding them to powder."

"I know. But you think it doesn't hurt me to see Sam like that, or Eve crushed?"
Hibiki sighed. "Breaking things is what I know I can do."

(Sam)
=I figured that, confiding the possible tension between James and Hibiki, I'd leave and go back to my room. Hey, you never know. They could be back here in seconds to relieve some tension right now. Anyway, I needed a nap. So leaving the room, I saw them in the hall, having some kind of argument. I entered my room and closed the door, but was aware the shower was on=
Oh, great.....she's in the shower....and singing.

(James)
"Yeah, but it's hardly the only thing you can do. There's always something else you can do."

Somewhere Outside St. Louis, Location Unknown...

=A man waits in his tent, waiting any news about his 'agent'. A soldier comes in, a worried expression on his face. The soldier knew the man in the chair didn't take to bad news well. The soldier braced himself mentally=

Shepherd: Sir, we have news about your...agent.

Man: Tell me then.

Shepherd: You won't like it, sir.

Man: My boy, information never displeases me. It is heresy and ignorance that I find unforgivable. Report.

Shepherd: Sir, a few of our scouts have reported in. It's confirmed. She went native.

=The man the slammed a fist on a table, his temper flaring=

Man: I trained her...I gave her a PURPOSE...and then she stabs me in the back. That ungrateful little bitch!

=The man then sighs and rubs his temple in frustration=

Man: Tell the men that if they spot her, she is to be shot on sight.

Shepherd: Yes, sir...

Man: =Turns to face the soldier= If you could, maybe send the Pariah back and hunt her down. Am I clear?

Shepherd: Yes sir, Abernathy.

=The Shepherd then departs with a look of quiet panic on his face, while Abernathy plots his revenge on loosing his prize=

Eve heard the door and fell silent.
Uh.
Crap.
The door was actually open, as she hadn't thought Sam would come back. And her clothes...
Turning the water off, she hid behind the rim of the tub. Water restrictions...
"Sam?" She asked fearfully. if it was Pariah, then Eve knew she was going to die.

(Sam)
=I turned suddenly, facing the open bathroom door. I saw Eve's head, damp and dripping with water.....and suddenly realized she was naked=
"Oh uh.....damn, guess I should have knocked. I'll just uh, go over here."

=I walked over to the other side of the room and sat down on the bed=

Eve actually sobbed.
"Oh thank god..." She rubbed her eyes. "Um...I...was expecting to be...alone...could you...get my nightclothes? Please?"
She ducked down behind the tub, face burning with embarrassment.

(Sam)
"Sure.....I'll keep my eyes closed."
=Grabbing her bag, I walked to the door of the bathroom and tossed the bag inside. I didn't want to risk my eyes opening by a crack or anything=

Eve...had to giggle.
"Sam...you're acting really shy...I'm behind the tub, it's ok...and thank you...close the door behind you please."

Hibiki looked at James.
"You offering some stress relief?" She asked with a smile.

(Sam)
=I did, but leaned against the wall next to the door=
"Sorry, just didn't want to get a look before our appointed time in maybe three years."

(James)
=In simple answer, I pressed my lips to hers in a slightly aggressive kiss=
"There's offering.....and then there's the more direct approach."

"Like I'd be able to say no to a preview..." Eve joked, relaxing. The fear in her voice was still present as she dried herself off.
Soon, she was in her oversized T-Shirt, a XXL TOMB RAIDER one she got from the hotel's clothing hoard. She stepped out, the shirt going past her knees and covering her panties.
"Sam..." She slid to her knees. "I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. Please forgive me. I'll do anything in my power. Please..."

Hibiki kissed back.
"Well, good thing we don't have to worry about the condom breaking." She teased.

(Sam)
=My voice softened a little=
"Eve, you don't have to apologize. I was being an idiot, and a little overreacting. But if it makes you feel better, I accept."

=I held my arms open, even though what I planned on doing had me feel just a little nervous=
"Hug and make up?"

(James)
"Heh, yeah. I'd say we get a room....but ours is a little occupied right now."
=That didn't stop me from kissing her again and pulling her against me=

Eve carefully stood up, and slowly entered the embrace, her hug warm but a bit held back, and she made as little as contact as possible with Sam.

Hibiki shook her head. "I told her get out. So our room is ours." She smirked. "Unless you were planning on doing it right here?"

I slowly pull out my butcher knife as if it were made of glass. I don't want to accidentally cut my coat. Or myself. I set it next to my guns.
Then do the same with my combat and kitchen knife. I sigh at the sight of them.

"Only three of the seven left."