ZRP-2: Chapter 5: Pariah's Warning

(Sam)
"Well, yeah we did. But I don't think I should leave just yet. Besides, if you take my spot, where does that leave James?"

"James is a big boy. Plus someone already covered my spot..." She sighed. "C'mon Sam. You need her just as much as she needs you. I know this kiddo." She grinned and tickled the girl, who started laughing and begging for mercy. Hibiki smiled as she stopped. "She needs someone who's gone through just as much to tell her it will be ok."

(Sam)
"Yeah....not sure how much help I'll be on that one. But why should I step down! We have time up here."

"Will you just hold the girl you insist on calling your sister so my shirt will dry by next week?" She rephrased.

(Sam)
"Alright alright. I never said I wouldn't."

Hibiki grinned, pushing Eve away and standing up. Her shoulder was noticebly damp, showing Eve had cried a bit into her. Not unusual, after all. Hibiki patted Eve's head and waited for Sam to get down before raising her arms.
"Mind if I give you a hug?" She asked.

(Sam)
"Nope. Just don't...."
=I stopped myself, remembering how she reacted e last time I called her out on treating me like a kid=

"Hug me like a grown up, okay?"

"I was going to hug you like a friend."
Hibiki gave her a warm hug. "You doing ok?"

(Sam)
"Eh, as good as can be expected I guess. This waiting is killing me though."

Hibiki nodded. "I know. Now go hold that girl and let her know you're there for her." She smiled. "I'll owe you a favor, deal?"

(Sam)
"Got it. Now I'm calling it in: stay with James, will ya? He may not show it.....but he really wants to be with you right now. And keep you close."

Hibiki plaid a hand on her shoulder.
"Ok. Then you do the same with Eve. Alriight?"

(Sam)
"Sure thing. Come on Eve."

Eve didn't hesitate to  move to Sam, arms open in the classic childish "I want a hug" motion. She looked at her somewhat hesitantly, nervously, like she didn't know what would happen.

(Sam)
=Grinning, I hugged her and nearly choked the life out of her in the process=

Eve is nearly choked to death, and sobs a bit.
"Where was this death hug when I needed it a few hours ago?"

(Sam)
"It was.....side tracked."

Eve sniffed. "Silly..." was all she said.

(Sam)
"Well if its too silly,I can always let go."

"Don't." She practically begged. "Please."

(Sam)
"I won't."
=I looked over her head to Hibiki, nudging my head a little telling her to go, and find James=

Hibiki nodded, and ran off to find James.

Eve snuggled into Sam's chest. "I love you." She finally said.

(Sam)
"Love you too."
=I nuzzled my chin into her hair=

Eve mewls softly.
"I've wanted to hear you say that for so long..."

(Sam)
"Yeah well get ready to wait a little longer."

(James)
"It just doesn't make sense. They have to know we wouldn't waste ammo. Is it just to get us on edge?"

(Book)
"I don't know. This is sorta new to me."

Eve whimpered.
"Then please. Say it again. Just one more time."

(Sam)
"Oh alright. I love you Eve."
=Just to emphasis it, I hugged her tighter and then kissed the top of her head=

(James)
"Great. Nice to know this has happened to you before."

Eve kissed Sam's neck softly, as she couldn't get to her cheek.
"I love you. No matter what. Please. Never forget that."

Hibiki came up behind James like the ninja she was, and wrapped her arms around James.
"hey."

(James)
=Now, me being wound as tightly as I was, I sorta panicked when I felt the arms wrap around me. Soi squirmed and got out of the embrace, only to see that it was Hibiki=
"Oh. Hey, thanks for the warning."

=Still, I kissed her, smiling=

(Sam)
"I know. But I swear, there are times you kinda make it difficult, the love thing."

"Hehe." Hibiki kissed back.

Eve nodded. "I know...and I don't even know if I'm worth it..."

(Sam)
"That's for me to decide Eve. And so far, still worth it."

(James)
"How's Eve?"

Eve sobbed softly, obviously...not only touched, but happy.

Hibiki sighed. "She's fine...thankfully."

(James)
"Good. That means less worrying for us."
=I let go of her, albeit with a little hesitation=

"Still not sure what else we should be doing, other than sit around and wait."

"Huh-uh."

Abel took a large drag from the cigar before continuing.

"I left the first time we came to this place, there weren't any Shepards attacking the LDT when I left either.  Well... not like how you described anyway."

"it's all we can do James." Hibiki said. "It's all we can do."

(James)
"I guess. But it's the wait that's killing me more than anything."
=Sitting down, impressed my back against the wall=

(Sam)
"Okay....you can stop now. I still need you alert."

Eve didn't let go.
"Do i have to let go?"

Hibiki grinned, straddeling James' lap and kissing him. "I know babe." She rested her head on his shoulder. "Just don't die of boredom. That would suck to have on your tombstone."

(James)
=Grinning, I let my head lean against hers=
"Yeah, though it beats getting eaten."

(Sam)
"Well.....yes."

Eve hugged tighter.
"Ok..."
With a reluctance that took superhuman effort to fight, Eve let go of Sam.

Hibiki sighed softly. "There goes break our room for round two, eh?"

(James)
"Heh. Though hey, maybe we've been doing too much of that?"
=And then insert the random frat boy who screams "There's never too much of that!"=

(Sam)
=Once show let go, I went back to the machine gun=

Hibiki laughed. "Maybe. But gotta admit, it really kills off stress."

Eve followed her, then sat behind the concrete railing by Sam's feet quietly.

(James)
"True. But honestly, half the time it seems like that's all we do."
=Granted, it wasn't. We talked, ate together, had a good time together. But most of the time I felt like the entire relationship was built on us basically screwing each others brains out=

(Sam)
"So, because I made you stop hugging me, you're going to be quiet?"

"Yes." Eve answered deadpan. She stayed like this for a second or two before giggling.
"I'm...just not sure what to talk about..."

"Right. Because forming an army and raising a daughter is not what we do." Hibiki grinned.

(James)
"Well, there is such a thing as dating, or talking. Though we already had a date, I think, and there really hasn't been much to talk about."

(Sam)
"How about......I got nothing."

"See?" Eve said.

Hibiki sighed. "Besides our baby, Eve, Sam, and the inevitable war..."

(James)
"The war is too depressing. And our child....."
=God, I really didn't even know what to say. I felt like I should have been talking everyday about our kid, but in light of everything it had slipped my mind=

"Well, how have you been feeling lately! Everything okay?"

(Sam)
"So I'm the source of all conversation material?"

"I feel fine. And cute." She rolled her eyes, but laughed.

Eve blinked. "Yep. That or your panties."

(Sam)
"My panties? Eve, I'm sleeping with my bags now."

(James)
"Heh, okay. Well, the list of material is starting to get short."

"I was joking!" Eve said pretty fast. "I swear I was joking! I won't joke like that again, I swear!"

Hibiki sighed =. "Yep."

(Sam)
"It was a joke Eve. Damn lighten up."
=I chuckled a little=

(James)
"So....how much longer until our first break?"