Tami pulled at the tie of her ivory white pants. It was most likely a bad idea to buy them, but damn did they look good. Paired with a black button up shirt and her hair in a lazy ponytail she felt normal. Her new black boots fit a bit more snugly onto her feet then the torn brown boots in the corner of the tent. Arthur had grown a little more comfortable with her in his tent. He was still leaning back on his chair writing something out as she twirled to look at him.
"How do I look?" she asked lifting her palms into the air.
"I'm allowed to look now." He put his pencil down and turned to look at her.
"Oh no, I just asked for you to comment on my appearance by guessing with your eyes clothes." She placed a fist to her hip and lifted an eyebrow.
"Here." He lifted a hand to push a fallen slip of black hair behind her ear. His hands moved to the collar of her shirt and straightened it, "Don't you know how to do this?" He moved to tuck in her shirt. Her hips turned and she pushed against his chest. Her head upturned to see him standing directly over her. The confusion in her eyes made him take a step back.
"Thanks, dad." Tami muttered and made a face at him. Arthur's hand slipped from the collar of her shirt to brush against her throat. A wave of something hit her hard in her gut. A roll of desire ripped through her. She swore she could see it flash through his eyes as well, "Didn't take you for the preening type." Tami raised an eyebrow and turned to leave the tent.
"If you think..." Voices paused as Tami left the tent. Eyes had been glued to her for the past few days. Those around had started referring to her as 'Marston' or 'John's sister' as if she didn't already have a name or identity. It boiled her blood a little. Speak of the devil and he should appear. John trudged up from where he was standing and stood to her side.
"Can we..."
"No." She stopped him, "For the last few days I have been dragged this way and that. I want to just sit and relax for a bit. I need time." Time to heal, time to think. Being John's sister wouldn't be the worst thing in history, but he wasn't a real man. She had to keep reminding herself that it wasn't real day in and day out.
"Was just going to invite you to Rhodes with Abigail, Mary Beth, Lenny, and me. Sean might come as well, their shooting fireworks. You know since its nearly the forth." He shrugged.
"The fourth already?" Tami's voice reached a pitch that showed her nerves.
"I'll go." Arthur spoke as he walked up behind them.
"Fuck me dude." Tami jumped out of her skin as he startled her.
"Is that an offer?" Sean popped up with a crooked smile. His red hair was sticking up in a messy way. Tami felt a laugh bubble in her throat at his crooked Irish appearance.
"I've always had a thing for Irish men." Tami teased.
"Well, in that case one hundred percent Irish just for the taking, here miss." He gave a slight bow.
"Stop it." Arthur spoke suddenly. His hand wrapped a bit possessively around Tami's upper arm.
"Why are you treating me so weird?" Tami hissed lowly. He reached for her arm.
"We should talk privately." He answered lowly.
"No we shouldn't, right here is fine with me." She crossed her arms and jutted out her hip. Sean slowly backed away from the scene he had caused. John moved to follow Sean with a deadly look in his blue eyes,
"You shouldn't be messing around with Sean, that's just askin' for trouble." He scoffed and crossed his arms. Tami saw a hit of jealousy in his eyes.
"You're still not telling me something. What are you hiding? What happened!?" Tami growled out. Her finger firmly pointed in Arthur's direction.
"Nothing." He spit back with just as much fire.
"Something else happened, Morgan. I swear to God you're fucking infuriating." Tami looked around and picked up a tin cup. She threw it with everything she had. Arthur ducked in time for an approaching John to get slapped in the face with a hard tin cup full of cold coffee. Tami opened her eyes wide and covered her mouth in surprise.
"Fucking why?" John sounded more defeated than angry as he covered his nose.
"She did it." Arthur thumbed behind his back from his crouched position.
"It was meant for him." Tami pointed her finger at Arthur.
John looked between them and sighed, "What is going on with you two?"
"Sharing a cramped space doesn't help." Tami sniffled and crossed her arms in a pout. John wiped the dripping coffee off of his face and pushed his wet hair back.
"All the more reason for you to go out with us." John offered.
"I'm not going anywhere near him for now." She hissed and pointed at Arthur.
"Well, seein' as how you're actin' like a spoiled princess right now, I'd doubt anyone would want your company." He shrugged. She set her jaw as a fiery gaze washed over him. Tami felt something snap inside of her. Anger raged to the boiling point.
"You need to calm down." John offered softly.
"Fuck calming down. Fuck all of you. I shouldn't have come back." She dug her fingers into her palms and gave in to the feeling inside of her chest. Turning on her heels she ran. The trees lined up together in a tight bunch. Grass fell underneath her feet as she trampled over the greenery. Flowers wilted as she kicked them in her fit. Her arms pumped at her sides as she ran. A wolf looked up from where it was standing in a open field. Her heart froze.
Tami turned to the left and kept running. A bridge came into view as howling started behind her. Fear raced through her veins and boosted her legs. The heels of her feet knocked her in her own ass as she ran harder. The dark mouth of a cave approached her head on, but she couldn't stop now. Heavy thudding of paws behind her kept her going. Darkness swallowed her whole. Her right foot caught onto empty air and she fell. Screams tore from her throat as she darkness disorientated her falling form. Even though it was pitch black she closed her eyes against the fall and prayed that it would just kill her.
Cold icy water splashed around her body as bubbled tickled her face. Her eyes opened to see blue and green glowing around her. Bugs flew in the air flashing in the darkness and moss lit up the dark waters. With a few hard kicks she broke air and took in a deep needed breath. A laugh exploded from her chest. It reached a panicked pitch until it brought tears into her eyes. The light tears of laughter turned into fat tears of sadness as the hysterical laughing turned into deep crying. Her hands slapped at the water in anger as she screamed between bursts of tears.
What's wrong? We gave you what you wanted.
"Who are you?" She screamed into the air. The voice was metallic as in her dream. She could only think of the blind man sitting at a table because of the voice.
We are you. You've given us life.
"What are you? Who's we?" Tami started swimming to a near outcropping of rocks. Her tired limbs faltering as she felt her weight change from the lightness of the water.
We used to be codes. We used to be changed in a constant rhythm. A dance of others creation. Thanks to your mind we can reshape ourselves.
"You're using me? A computer is using me?" She curled her knees to her chest against the cold of the cave.
You used us first. We've tried to give back.
"Send me back home then." Tami looked into the darkness above her. It was getting so much more than weird now.
We can't do that. We still need you to grow and learn. We will still provide for you.
"Send me home." She tried again.
Are you sure you would want to do that?
"Yes." Hope bloomed in her chest.
We will send you home...
"Thank you, thank you so much!" She cried out in joy.
After we are done learning.
"Fuck!" Her leg kicked into the water with anger, "Fuck you mysterious God above." Her words bounced along the cave walls. Silence met her once the echo silenced itself.
"Tami?" A hand touched her shoulder gently causing her to jump. Daylight blinded her as she sat forward from the tree she had been sitting on. Her head whipped around to see she was sitting in the field where she had seen the wolves. Mateo looked down at her with kind eyes, "I think it's time to talk."
"Please have a seat in my office." She tried to swing at humor but the words fell flat.
"You need to get along with them." He sighed and crossed his fingers together, "Make them like you. Stop pushing against the flow of the game. It's changing and you can't stop it."
"So you've talked to it too?" She spoke dryly.
"Talked to what?" He asked in confusion. His tan hands reached to her shoulder again.
"Our benevolent God. Apparently it's learning from me." She grit her teeth.
Mateo's face twisted into a deep frown, "What?"
"It calls itself, 'We' like a group. Says its learning from me. No one can control the code anymore. Apparently I've given it control of itself." She pushed his hand away and stood up. Her hands wiped the dirt and grass that stuck to her once white jeans.
"That's what it was doing when I came here. It's been assimilation your brain. I didn't know it was mapping it. Could explain why the AI is acting wonky. They are really using emotions heavily now. Almost like there isn't a script anymore." Mateo shook his head and grabbed his chin.
"If there isn't a script, can we even go back?" She asked.
"I don't know." He said and they shared a terrified look.
Mateo and Tami returned to camp side by side. A group of others were gathering the horses Dutch waved at them both. Mateo and Tami shared a glance before approaching the leader, "Morning, Dutch." Tami started with a smile. He let out a low laugh and shook his head.
"She was napping when I found her." Mateo let out with a laugh. She stared between them confusedly.
"It's near evening, my dear." Dutch spoke with a smile, "We're going to go watch the fireworks. You're more than welcome to come."
Tami gave a soft smile, "Sure. Just let me change. I'm..."
"Fine." Mateo waved his hand in the air, "Everyone's already been waiting."
Tami blushed as he spoke. Most everyone was grouped off by the horses talking. John and Abigail stood with Arthur. Jack running around their legs. Mary Beth and Tilly were giggling at a proud looking Karen. Sean and Karen were shaking their head at something Bill was saying. Molly looked on from where she stood alone. Sadie was nowhere to be found.
"You know what sure." Tami shrugged, "Why not."
"Look ma, look!" Jack shouted and pointed to the sky as it lit up with colors. Red and greens flashed across the sky. Green cracked and fell from such a height that Tami gasped in pure pleasure. She sat between John and Arthur. The only free spot before the crevice everyone was sitting on. Her hands clasped one another as she leaned forward watching in pure joy. Voices gathered in pleasure at the spectacle in front of them. A hand patted hers gently from the side, "Happy fourth, sis." John offered.
She wanted to resist his words, but looked over his shoulder to where Mateo was watching her. Tami took in a deep breath and turned her hand over to squeeze John's, "Happy fourth." She had to admit that even without sharing blood their features were surprisingly similar. An explosion of red took her attention again. Now wasn't the time for her broody thoughts. As she watched the colors explode a weariness grew in her. She had been fighting everything for so long. Running for so long. Relaxing into the world seemed to drain her as the adrenalyn that seemed in endless supply before cut itself off. Taking a page from Mateo's book, she simply relaxed.
Tami breathed in a sigh of peace as she leaned her head to the side. A warm shoulder connected with her head gently just as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to rest. Surrounded by at least a few people she had trusted. This time, no nightmares would come.
Arthur looked to where her head was laying on his shoulder. Her legs still dangling over the edge of the crevice they were sitting by. He watched as the others got up to slowly leave as the fireworks slowly came to a close. John and Abigail shared a soft kiss while Jack made a vomiting notion. Tami sighed in her sleep. Arthur couldn't help the urge to push her hair out of her face. She looked most angelic when she slept. Face fully relaxed. No fear or anger lingering. The conflict of her mind laid to rest as her body gathered its strength.
"I'm sorry I've lied to you." He whispered as a spray of green lit up the sky, "Something did happen. Truthfully, I wish you remembered." He sighed and looked at the sky, "But it seems best if you don't." Arthur closed his eyes and pulled the memory into focus.
(Ladies and Gentlemen of the cream corn this under part is sexually fueled. If you are under the age of smut of pornographic writings I suggest you skip this. This is the end of the chapter so you won't be missing any of the main story. If you do want to write it, I can't stop you. Basically a warning to cover my own behind in case something happens.)
As Tami pulled his hand into the tent to keep others from seeing her naked form, they both tripped over their drunken feet. He wrapped his arms around her back and his face buried itself into her chest. Her hands clasped around his neck in an attempt to keep herself upright. Tami arched her back against the cold waterfall against her spine. Arthur pulled himself up to look into her eyes as the current of water rushed over his body. Their heartbeats melded into one. Breathing tore into their throats.
He needed more, and this time he was too drunk to have anything rational in his mind. Her fingers were already pulling at his shirt. She pulled him flush against her. Arthur happily obliged as he wrapped an arm around her middle. Sounds of laughter and bottles clinking faded away. Lips crashed together into a wet sound. A playful mixture of biting and sucking from Tami was strange, yet erotic to him. His tongue battled hers for dominance as their bodies grew slick with cold sweat. Emotions mixed into a crescendo. Wave after wave mixed until neither were sure what was their anymore. All they knew was that they needed more.
His hands left her back causing a whine to escape the corners of her mouth. He chuckled as the heavy sound of metal fell to the floor. She pouted as he pulled back enough to drop his trousers onto the ground. Her fingers trailed through his stubble and down his neck. Her eyes drunk in the sight of his muscles bunching and unbunching. Sunburn touched his shoulders and arms lightly. Face pink from the sun. He was so utterly human in that moment, and she could think of him as nothing else.
Their need grew nearly painful as he fumbled to push her on her back. Unceremoniously pushing her knees apart and crawling between them. His lips fumbled at her throat. Any thought abandoned them as they were in a vortex of want and need. Tami felt his erection touching her inner thigh. Excitement built up in her. Arthur shuttered as his head pulled against her skin. Prodding gently for his goal.
For just a split second he hesitated. She pulled at his body as she felt his question breath through his skin, "Yes." She hissed lowly.
His cock slipped into her folds slowly. They gasped in unison at the bliss that filled them. Tami's eyes rolled as her body screamed in joy. Arthur shuttered and fought to keep himself from falling onto her as his balls slapped the roundness of her ass. The pleasure that radiated from both of them reached a level that hadn't been felt before. She pinched her eyes as something inside of her gave way. A slight sharp pain that left as quickly as it entered. His lips kissed the tears she didn't even know were falling.
His hips moved outwards slowly. She groaned as his head pulled her insides so perfectly in its retreat. His body was god worthy in her mind. Perfectly chiseled in all the right places. Hands roamed his body in a greedy attempt to feel every inch she could. Nails drug and hiss escaped her as he pushed himself fully inside of her again.
Arthur dropped to lay on top of her fully. An arm wrapped around her shoulders and back of her neck to pull her down harder. Their sexes being forced together in a way that made her shutter. His forehead pressed against hers. Teeth grinding together as a slow pace of pushing and pulling began. Her body felt like it was falling as she moaned from the new sensation. A soft sound of slapping and rough hand took over her mouth as a groan slipped out a little too loud.
Blue eyes fluttered as her nails pierced into his back. Her hands slipped from biceps to his neck. Constantly grabbing and trying to find a proper place to hold onto. Her legs slipped around his hips forcing him deepen as she held his rhythm with a roll of her hips. Her throat felt horse as hot breath left her nose. Moans trying to escape from her mouth as he grunted in soft hushed tones.
It had been too long without another human, she was slipping soon and she knew it. By the way he engorged inside of her, he wasn't too far off either. They were lost in one another without reason. Two desperate, starved humans taking comfort in their own bodies. Tami fell first. His hand grew harder around her mouth as she convulsed under him. Her entire body rolling as she rode her own orgasm down. The world flew past her ears as pleasure burst forth from her core into every inch of her body.
Arthur bit down a shout as he felt his own release. His hips slapped against hers hard as he rammed himself into her. Lost in the pleasure that curled his toes and rattled his very bones. The hard slaps grew louder as he pounded into her out of desperation. Her eyes rolled as the sensitive nature inside of her allowed itself to coil into a tightness once again.
Essence flowed between them. Warmth surrounded their bodies as he pressed as deep as he could go. Throbbing from his cock causing waves of pleasure to explode along his spike. Skin puckering as chills swept over his body. Muscles bulging as the intense wave wrought the best of chaos along him. Tami felt a second wave crash into her as he ground deeply into her. It wasn't as strong as the first, but God did it feel really fucking good.
"Take a moment, darlin'. Breath." His voice welcomed her as she came to. His hand left her lips slowly. Tami heard shrill laughter and the sound of someone playing music outside. A dull throb of pain emitted from her middle as she finally felt it. Arthur shifted over her causing the slowly throbbing cock to move slightly. She squeezed her thighs a little at the foreign presence between them.
"I… Wow… Arthur did we just?" Tami paused and looked at to where their bodies met. Sweat pooled in the concave of her stomach as his heavy breathing caused his body to roll over her. She admitted she felt safe, if a little sore. A wave of embarrassment washed over her. Regret wasn't fully on the menu, in fact she felt none of it at all. But she felt her heart drop slightly at the thought he might. Slowly the rush left the both. The vortex of combined emotions slowed into a steady pulse before fading away completely. It left them feeling empty, but satisfied.
Arthur pushed up slightly to raise off of her slowly. His softening cock leaving her feeling slightly empty. With a jerk of his hips he left her causing a whine to escape her lips involuntarily. A crimson hue rose up his neck as a smug look met his eyes, "I think we did, darlin'. You definitely did." His senses started to return. She squeezed her legs around his backside a little in response to his leaving, "Gotta let me go." His voice was tender yet humorous. Her legs relaxed to the side as he sat up. A warmth spilled from her and out onto the cot.
Her hand reached for his. A soft smile wrapped over her swollen lips, "Not gonna let me get cold are you, cowboy?" she asked softly. Tami knew in the deepest parts of her mind that he wasn't real. What they just did wasn't supposed to be possible, but she threw it to the wind as a need for his touch won. She watched as he looked over her, "I don't regret a thing." She finally admitted.
"I didn't know." He whispered and gathered the blankets to wipe the slickness from between her legs, "Shit." he hissed lowly, "I..." he whispers, "I wasn't expectin' that."
Tami looked down and felt shock to see the pink mixture between her legs. In her own world she was very experienced, but here it seemed Arthur was this body's first, "It doesn't hurt much." She was slightly amused at the slight panic that surrounded him. Tami sat up to grab his face in both of her hands, "You don't need to worry about it. Like I said, I don't regret a thing. It was perfect. More than I could have asked for." She pulled gently and he began an awkward crawl between her legs to lay on her body, using one elbow to keep from fully crushing her.
"I… I should've been gentler." His fingers moved to rub between her thighs. She gave a soft mewl in appreciation and opened her legs. Eyes closed in the hazy feeling inside of the tent. Air heavy in the smell of sex and sweat.
"Mmmm, I enjoy it a little rough." She admitted. His chest rumbled a bit in a chuckle.
His touch had become strange. No damp feeling, no bite of cold, and not even the thread of his soul mixing with hers. She felt his heartbeat mixed with his breathing. The sweat cooling between their bodies even through their shared heat. Her eyes looked deep into his perfect emerald green orbs, "I couldn't have said it better myself." Arthur hummed softly. His free hand explored her body slowly. A more intimate and sensitive way. The callouses made her shiver under the rough yet kind touch. Tami close her eyes and nuzzled into his chest.
"I wouldn't say I'm in love yet. I mean I don't even know your favorite food. But damn is this close." His hand wrapped around her chin and pulled it up to look at him.
"I'll grow on you." His head bounced slightly as he laughed deeply. Her small fingers moved to trace the laugh lines on his face.
"I hope I can say the same." Tami stretched under his body. His fingers moved to lay lazily at her hip, "But I have a request for now." He raised an eyebrow down at her, "Draw me like one of your French girls. With permission this time." They laughed in unison.
Long after he had finished his drawing and they had slipped a few more drinks into the tent, Tami lay with her body against his abdomen. His clothing had been divided between them. His jeans slipping on his own hips as she was swallowed in his shirt. She brought a hand to her nose and stifled the slight cry in her throat. Tami was happy here. Even with his steel grip around her middle keeping her slightly cramped on the small cot. Another part of her sided to try and stay. Her abdomen shuttered with the cry in her throat.
"S'okay.' Arthur spoke in a sleepy tone. He tightened his grip even further if possible. Tami wished it could be, but it wasn't okay. Not in the slightest. In the deepest pits of herself she didn't want to leave. The comfort and warmth were something she had always longed for; however, she also didn't want to remember this come morning time. Tami knew this would affect her want to leave. In truth, it already was.
