It had been over an hour since leaving Paradise behind and all that Sam had to occupy himself was staring at the beautiful girl on the cherry red Ducati in front of them, and listening to the Country station John had flicked on. Sam had a distaste for Country, he was a Classic Rock guy.
"So..." Sam voiced to his friend, trying to break the conversation silence. He received a quick glance in recognition and decided it was enough to continue. "You miss her already huh?"
"Yeah." John replied tersely. Clearly he was brooding over Sarah and didn't really want to talk about it.
"Are you...gonna be okay?"
"No."
"You're a joy to talk to...why don't we bro out or something, talk to me about her, it might help."
Sighing, John glanced again at his best friend who had on a disarming smile, and sighed again. He knew Sam just wanted to help, or at least feel like he was helping, but he didn't want to talk to Sam, he wanted to talk to Sarah. To touch her, hold her, kiss her just one last time, and then another time, and another, and never get in this damn truck leaving her, and-
"Dude if you're going to keep ignoring me then I'm picking the radio station because I don't even think you're listening to it." Sam said, losing Johns train of thought.
"Driver picks radio station guy." John replied with a small smile, maybe talking was what he should be doing after all, he was already feeling a little better with just these few words.
"Driver's also being a dick." mumbled Sam as he propped his elbow on the door and went back to staring outside.
John cracked a wider smile as he looked again at his sarcastic friend. Sam was staring out the windshield as they drove, eyes not really moving across the landscape.
"Let's talk about Six then, since you want to 'bro out'." John piped up, receiving a startled expression from Sam.
"What?"
"Six! Come on man, you have been staring at her ass for like the past hour."
"Well that's not a really fair analysis," Sam sputtered, "First off it's like the only part of her body you can see while she's on her bike, and second, you haven't been talking so I've just been zoning out."
"Zoning out...is that what you call it when you stare at Six like a love struck cow."
"What does that metaphor even mean?" demanded Sam defensively, "And I am not staring." he added hotly.
"Are you pouting? Don't pout." teased John, this really was making him feel better!
"I am not pouting!" Sam nearly shouted, "Pissin' me off!"
"Hey man, I'm clearly just givin' you shit, don't be so defensive."
Sam had gone a soft shade of pink in his cheeks and his face felt warm, he had not been 'just' staring at Six, he was way more inconspicuous than that, wasn't he?
"John," Sam resumed the conversation after a few moments of silence, "Do you think Six has noticed?"
"Do you want the truth?" John asked questioningly.
"No I want you to lie." an exasperated Sam retored.
"She has no clue, in fact neither do I. You have played it so cool that no one has any idea that you have the hotts for Six." John replied with a wide grin, watching his friends face grow more and more red with each word.
"Hey I'm not friggin good at this stuff like you so...shut up." Sam muttered as he took refuge by the window, staring at the farming fields as they zipped past.
"Oh come on I thought we were 'bro'ing out! Talkin' about chicks and stuff." John said, slapping Sam in the shoulder. He hadn't meant for Sam to get all self-conscious.
"Look," Sam replied as he turned back to John, ears still pink, "I want to honestly help you out with missing Sarah, not make fun of me for my ridiculous daydreams."
John immediately became serious, "I don't think it's ridiculous at all, you falling for Six. I mean she's really pretty-
"Way out of my league." Sam interrupted.
"Knows exactly who she is-" John forced through the interruption.
"Hard-headed."
"Cold blooded-"
"Not exactly a positive trait."
"And loves picking on you!"
"Why did that make the list?" Sam asked laughing, arms spread wide.
"Because that's a conversation starter man!" John laughed along, slapping Sam in the shoulder again, "Just make fun of yourself around her, boom, instant conversation."
"Just make fun of myself around her?" Sam said still laughing, placing his fingers on his forehead, "What? You're the worst at this! Stop giving me advice!"
John couldn't help it, he burst out harder with laughter, slapping the steering wheel with an open hand while looking at his friend, all signs of irritation gone.
"Why are you laughing?!" Sam continued, smiling, "It's terrible advice!"
The laughter died down and John drove in silence as Sam gazed out the window, going out of his way not to look at Six. John bit his lip as he glanced at Sam. He hadn't meant to beat down his friends self-esteem but, slumping in his seat, Sam simply looked defeated.
"Look Sam, I'm in your camp on this one, but I can't really help. I know nothing about girls, and less about Six," John explained to a forlorn looking Sam, "I just got lucky so...maybe you will too." he ended lamely. It wasn't much of a confidence booster.
"Thanks for that very encouraging speech," Sam said, echoing Johns thoughts, "In all reality I will probably do...nothing," he muttered as he slouched a little more against the window, "She'd never go for me anyways."
Not knowing what to say, John continued to drive in silence.
The cherry red Ducati bucked a little as Six roughly dropped the clutch, causing her to audibly growl in irritation. She was livid at John! Why the hell would he bring his pathetic, puppy dog human with him? Sam! His stupid hair and stupid jokes and stupid laugh and stupid smile and stupid eyes and stupid lips...where was she going with this? Shaking her head lightly she got back to the point, fuming at John for bringing his lame friend on the most important mission of their lives.
He's not so bad, a little voice called from deep in her mind, he did save your life while putting risk to his own. Growling again she pushed that little voice deep, deep down in her mind and covered it with anger.
No matter how hard she concentrated on the road, the memory of Sam pulling her to safety kept bubbling up in her mind. She was regaining consciousness and opened her eyes to be greeted by an arid, smokey wasteland, fire scorching the landscape everywhere she looked. She was being dragged away from danger by a pair of strong hands gripping her tattered jacket. Her head was ringing so loud she was surprised she could hear anything else and her vision was showing her two of everything. Six tried to move her arms but all she could muster was a weak twitch, causing searing pain to radiate up into her shoulder, a small whimper escaping her lips before she could fight it.
"Shh it's okay, don't move yet let me patch you up," a low voice murmured behind her, "so you can get back to kicking some ass."
She tried to respond but it came out as an incoherent mumble as her head continued to ring. Abruptly they stopped and she was gently leaned against a cool, smooth surface. Six closed her eyes and rested her head against the surface, trying to shut out the ringing.
"John," she managed to finally say, "don't risk yourself, get out of here! I'm fine."
Six heard a crunch of gravel in front of her and suddenly there was a soft hand cupping her chin.
"Not John," said the voice from right in front of her and Six's breath caught in her throat as a chill shot through her body.
There is no way this weak, scrawny human is.. Six thought as she slowly opened her eyes, but there he was, Sam. Six sat there with a dumb-struck look as her vision began to sharpen on Sam's concern painted face. He locked eyes with her and Six felt an electric jolt course through her as his hand moved from her chin to her cheek, wiping something from under her eye with his thumb.
Six blinked as her vision cleared and she really looked at him. His short black hair lightly swaying in the wind topped his soot streaked face, numerous small cuts painting his cheeks and forehead. Blood dripped down his cheek passing through several dirt smudges and his deep green eyes were full of worry. He was beautiful.
Suddenly lurched back to reality, Six was startled to realize that John, Sam and the truck were not behind her but driving along beside her.
"EARTH TO SIX...OR LORIEN...WHATEVER...SIIIIIIX!" Sam was shouting from his open window.
Six turned to give him a vicious look she was sure he couldn't see through her sunglasses and Sam took the movement to mean she had finally heard him.
"HEY YOU MISSED OUR EXIT, SO JUST TAKE THE NEXT ONE AND WE CAN FIND A MOTEL, IT'S STARTING TO GET..." Sam continued to shout but once Six heard to take the next exit she down shifted and gunned the engine, not wanting to hear the confusing boy's voice anymore.
"Okay I guess she heard me," Sam sighed as he rolled back up his window, "and she wasn't completely rude, right?"
"You know she was probably giving you daggers behind those glasses..." John replied to his friend, grinning.
"Totally." agreed Sam.
"By the way, Lorien to Six, gosh that was funny, how are you so funny?" John mocked as Sam's ears turned a light shade of scarlet. "You must get all the ladies."
"Your sarcasm is oh so appreciated but we are on a super serious mission so let's stow the mockery and concentrate." Sam said seriously, a small smile creeping onto his face.
"Ahh I knew you were a good sport," John joked along as he eased the truck to the right, following Six onto the off ramp, "I really can't wait to see what happens when we stop."
"I'm sure whatever it is will be extremely hilarious," Sam said, staring at Six through the windshield, "for you."
