A/N: I just got done watching Avatar for the first time. What a mind blowing movie that was. The plot of the story to me seemed kind of ordinary, and I'm sure done before, but well executed. The creatures and the entire creation of the world it was set in was just absolutely incredible. I give major props to the director, producers, and the rest of the crew for doing such a fantastic job. That being said, it is very late, and I'm tired. Please excuse the editing on this chapter if it is sloppy.
Disclaimer: I'm not making any profits from this fanfiction piece.
Kallie ducked her head slightly as she finished washing the dishes and looked out the window. The sky above them was dark with clouds and the wind was kicking the leaves up on the trees. They turned over, showing their underside of a slightly darker green as they blew in the wind. Some fell of the trees and rolled along the ground.
"It's going to storm," Murphy said thoughtfully, coming to stand beside her. Conner nodded, his mind absent as he watched out the window from the chair across the room. Kaidbri went back to drying the dishes, her thoughts bobbing in and out of the task at hand. She was aware that soon everyone would be going to bed, and she had no intentions of getting up this night, especially if it would be bad out. She felt a tingle of fear as she wondered how sleep would come to her. Kaidbri mentally scolded herself for being such a baby. After all, she had gone through much worse.
Thunder boomed in the distance and lightening lit the sky. Several drops of water tinged off the windows, and Kallie went to shut the one that was open in the girl's bedroom. Murphy, likewise shut the inside door so that water would not come in through the screen door leading to the porch.
Kaidbri walked over and plopped on the couch next to Conner. Kallie walked in and sat in one of the arm chairs. Murphy took the vacant one, and all fell quiet for a while.
"What do we now?" asked Murphy, ready to twiddle his thumbs.
"Not sure," answered Conner. Thunder boomed, louder this time, and the rain began to pound down around the cabin. The darkness of the clouds crept over head, shutting out the daylight faster than usual. It wasn't long before the lights were turned on, and Conner and Murphy both lit cigarettes.
"Ya smoke?" asked Murphy, offering the girls one each.
"Nope," Kaidbri said, giving him a disgusted look.
Murphy shrugged, and went back to looking out the window. Kallie sighed, and began to riffle through a stack of old news papers that had been set beside the couch. She flipped one opened, and noticed that the date on the paper was a year old. Flipping through the pile, she gasped as she came across a familiar looking front page. Handing it to Kaidbri, she choked back a laugh as her sister smiled.
" The Saints of South Boston," Kaidbri began, grin never leaving her face. "Two brothers defend themselves against Russian syndicates and win."
Murphy and Conner looked at Kaidbri, and smiled. "Well", said Conner, " Did ya hear that Murph?"
"Wonder what happen ta those saints fellers," said Murphy, now reading over Kaidbri's shoulder.
"You guys have never seen this?" Kallie asked surprised.
"Aye, we've seen the papers, never really read them though," said Conner.
They spent about two minutes, reading the front page article, when suddenly lightening struck nearby and the power went out.
"Ah fuck," said Conner, "Murphy, know where the breaker is?"
"Probably the basement," said Murphy, "Got a flashlight?"
Both boys swore again, wondering if they could use their lighter to find their way to the basement.
"You'll set the whole cabin on fire!" shrieked Kallie, "And the fire department is a long ways away."
"Don't chance one of you trips and falls," Kaidbri added, equally alarmed that something, especially with their luck, would go wrong.
Conner and Murphy felt some irritation that the girls could not see how easy it would be to just fix the power, but both didn't want to worry them.
"It's almost time for bed," said Murphy, "Let's just sleep for the night, and we'll fix this in the mornin."
"Aye," Conner said as Murphy got up and headed towards the bedroom. Kallie and Kaidbri stood up as well, but when Kaidbri past Conner, she felt a slight touch on her hand.
"I'm not tired," said Kaidbri when she felt Kallie stop in front of her, "You go ahead. I'll be in a while later."
Kallie smirked to herself. "Whatever," she said, and headed towards their room. She glanced back into the dark, thinking over Kaidbri and Conner. 'Why should I get stuck alone,' she thought to herself. She felt her way to Murphy's door, and opened it gently.
" We should sleep in my room," she said excitedly.
Murphy choked back a laugh. It was completely dark so Kallie could not see, but he had no clothes on. He wondered if she would be uncomfortable if she knew that, and decided it was best not to tell her. Being careful not to give himself away, he felt around for a clean pair of boxers, and slipped them on.
" Yer awfully eager ta sleep with me, miss Kallie," he answered cheekily.
Kallie scoffed, " Don't let it go to your head, I just sleep better when you are in the room."
"And why would that be?" he asked.
"I don't know," she said honestly, "Just the way it's been since this whole thing started. I guess I'm just used to it now."
"Ah," said Murphy, "I'm like a human teddy bear, is that it? Yer safety blanket for when yer all scared."
Kallie was about to ask if he minded, because she felt foolish for acting like she needed a safety net. Kallie always tried to be truthful though, and knew she really did need one. It was the reason she had come in to ask Murphy to sleep in the same room with her again. Kallie felt safer when he was nearby. 'Maybe that's why Kaidbri is becoming close to Conner,' she mused, ' He is her teddy bear, too. Needs a different name for it though, that makes it sound like we are incapable of taking care of ourselves.'
" You are not a baby blanket Murphy," she said with a bit of freshness.
"Oh no?" he asked. He had managed to maneuver close enough to Kallie now that he was within inches of her face.
" You and Conner," Kallie went on, " You are our own personal saints."
Murphy felt a warm feeling growing in his heart and he smiled. He brought his hands to Kallie's, and kissed her fingers, squeezing them to show his appreciation.
" Glad to be of services," he said with joy.
For the first time since the death of her parents and sister, Kallie grinned with a bit of happiness in her heart. She felt the genuine feeling spread over her face from ear to ear. It had been a long time since she felt some contentment, and she let the feeling fill her up as much as she could Sighing, Kallie tugged Murphy's hand and they both found their way to the girl's bedroom. It was a while after Kallie had fallen asleep that Murphy leaned over, and kissed her on the forehead. It was light enough not to wake her, but long enough for him to know that it meant more than just a comfort to a new friend in need. Kallie had his friendship, and she would have his protection, too.