Chapter Fifteen

Her Fingers Drew Pictures on His Chest

DivineAngel

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"Jim you're making me hot." She giggled her small whisper, his body laughing without noise in response. Sixteen-year-old blonde hair grinning at her as he let go of her shoulders and leaned back into his side of the bed, yawning heavily. Her soft green eyes closing again, quietly waiting for sleep before frowning. "Heeey." She whined kicking her legs and he pulled his hand back from where it had run over her knee.

"How awake are you?" She glanced at his grinning eyes, even now in their new room, in the dark she could see his expression.

"Awake enough to know there is only one little bathroom separating our room from their room." He shrugged at her comment.

"Come on, give it a night or two and Gene won't treat you like a guest. Just another person living here who craves to here him doing it all night." he sighed out his chuckle, because it was the truth, but her mouth just fell open.

"Jim that's awful. That's Mel your talking about." She frowned, watching his face become more serious, as an apology.

"I didn't mean to word it like that." He watched her smile humored, with his logic. Blue eyes grinning as they watched her pull her tank top off from where she was under the covers and show him. His blonde hair sitting up with an unintentional yawn reaching for the small box on the end table. It wasn't like they had left the Trojan package there to be tacky, it was just like all the other objects strewn around the floor and over their dressers. It was in the, needs a place to be kept, scattered, pile.

"No." She watched him frown immediately as she gently grasped the small package he was opening. "You don't need it." She smiled watching his befuddled fast blink. Wasn't he just in so much trouble for forgetting? Wasn't he shown porn, and half naked woman and exposed to sounds he didn't want to think about since he could remember all reverting back to small phrases about using protection? Hadn't Gene tried to kill him for forgetting? And now, now he didn't need it?

"Danny what are you talk..." He trailed lightly as she ran her fingers onto his mouth, watching him lie down onto his back as she gently pushed. Blue eyes looking up at the ceiling as he felt her sliding his pants down under the covers before the warm soft feeling of her thighs pressed against either side of his waist.

"I have something to tell you." She watched his blue eyes snap at her voice from where she was holding herself over him. Watching his tense face and small chest movements hitching breath as he felt her moving around. Her green eyes watching him close his eyes as his hands activated to her downward motion, connecting them with a joint small moan. His strong hands gripping her hips as she straddled him, rocking. "Something..." She strained lightly as she felt him inside her. "I want you...to remember this." She watched his face below her for the first time. His light features scrunching up to small grunts as he moved back trying to take over which was impossible from where he was. "Remember this feeling when I tell you." She smiled warmly picking up her pace gently before forcing herself to stop. Her head spiting light swears as she forced herself to pull back. Watching his face choke lightly at the cooler air. His hands snapping at her hips pulling her back, but not forcing her as his eyes shot open. He was confused and anxious to have her back as she crawled off and lay down.

"Dan?" He frowned, sitting up fast. "Wha, what? Why? What did..?" He trailed as he studied her face. Silencing as she ran her hands into his hair and he shifted his top half over hers. Resting his chest above her as he lay on his side of the bed still.

"Jim I am pregnant." She frowned, pressing her lips together in a tense nervous fashion that waited for a response.

His face choked a fast blink "Your..." He trailed mouthing -pregnant?- to her without sound as she nodded. "How long?"

"Seven weeks." she said softly. Her face still concerned, still worried about all of this, about what it meant as he quickly shoved the covers down to her hips. Blue eyes looking down at her thin stomach with fascination.

"Where?" He shot her a lop sided grin, watching her only smile still unsure of how he was taking this.

"Shut up." She giggled. "I am." Nodding as he just continued to look down at her skin. Slowly sliding his rough hand over her stomach with care. As if marveled with her statement. "Jim what are we going to do?" She said, her voice hitching slightly with distress, but he just looked up grinning.

"What do you mean what are we going to do?" He chuckled hard, looking back at her stomach, green eyes pressing her lips together as she watched him lean down and kiss her belly button. Smelling her from where he was as she ran a hand threw his hair. "I want to keep it." He said, looking up fast with a grin. "We made it." He grinned widely at her, sitting up fast. Watching her draw a blanket up quickly as she grabbed her underwear and tank top. "We made it!" He yelled at her grinning.

"Jim I don't think the neighbors.." She frowned slightly watching him pull up his pants and get up. Shouting a -How Cool!- and walking out into the hall. "..Don't think the neighbors want to know!" She frowned pulling her clothes back on fast before heading after him. Green eyes frowning as she looked over the railing. "Jim!" She shot a hard whisper, looking around for him before snapping at the garage door he let slam loudly as he came back. "Jim shh." She pressed a finger to her lips, as he trudged loudly up the stairs happy.

"Here." he grinned watching her head back into the bedroom as he started down the hall towards her. Blue eyes still smiling as she turned around, sitting down on the bed. "Didn't people used to...give each other jewelry or something on Earth or along time ago? When they had kids?" He chuckled, watching her just shrug. Weird Earth people. "Ok so all I have is my intercom but somehow I don't think talking to Gene all day is, such a great present." He threw her a chuckled grin as he walked over to her dresser.

"What in the world are you doing Jim?" she said, giggling as she watched him color something in his hand with the color pens she had found while unpacking. They were old, back from when she was seven or so but they still worked.

"Ok you can wear this cause it's the closest thing I have." He grinned handing over the small bolt now colored white with a small pink poorly drawn heart in the middle.

"What?" She giggled hard watching him laugh as she looked at it before slowly pointing. "What is that blob?"

"Hey, come on now that's a heart." he nudged her, laughing at the -ooohh- she giggled. "Yeah well, I never needed to know how to draw those." He shrugged watching her nod.

"How bout I keep it in my pocket?" she giggled, looking up at his -oh come on, if I drew it that bad I'll go get another bolt.- "Jim I don't know if it will..."She trailed, twisting it onto her finger and frowning perplexed at what a perfect fit it was. Her green eyes glancing up at his huge grin.

"Tomorrow I'll get you something better." he sighed hard crawling by her to the top of the bed and flopping onto it.

"No." She smiled warmly as he looked back to her with her -no- answer. "I like it fine." She giggled, maybe she'd keep it in her pocket because it was so fat on her finger, but it sure was "..it's the sweetest thing I 've ever gotten." She giggled watching him smile at her as she played with his hair, leaning on his chest.

"Good. Cause I don't think I have any extra money and...Man Gene's going to kill me." He chuckled hard, feeling her smile as she yawned. Satisfied he was so happy, even if she was still worried about some freak using this to send him to jail, or how they would possibly be able to afford it. But, she worked, and he worked, and they could always get help if they needed it, so it would work out. Somehow, it would all work out.

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She glanced back at him, blue eyes still watching her brush her teeth from behind her. "Jim." she spit his name into the sink with her toothpaste. "Stop watching me." she giggled, though she tried not to. He only ignored her, squirting toothpaste onto his brush casually. How was it she could just walk around like that? Knowing there was a baby inside her? How it was fitting, who cared, but the fact it was in there was..." "Will you stop watching me like I am so amazing blast it." She shot him a smiled order, and he grinned while he scrubbed, geez. "Aaa I am going downstairs, stay up here for ten minutes until I leave." She muttered an order as she trudged out of the room knowing he would be downstairs in no time.

"Mourning." Melfina smiled brightly at her as she came into the kitchen.

"This smells so good." She smiled, looking down at the frying pan and egg sizzling inside the thick piece of Italian bread carefully cut and then dropped into the pan. "What's it called?" She glancing up at Mel who made a small frown with the question. What was it called?

"Ummm.." Mel trailed, looking around for the magazine to Daniella humored's -Aaa- groan that announced Jim's arrival to the kitchen

"Ok I was thinking,-mourning Mel." The blue eyes smiled at her as they came in. Practically ignoring the small --mourning- that came back as he grabbed Daniella. "We should go somewhere, do something before it comes." He chuckled hard at Daneilla's laughing green eyes frowning up at him from where he held her, soft back pressing into his chest.

"Jim, we can't afford-"

"-Sure we can." He grinned, ignoring Gene who trudged in and sunk into a kitchen chair un-entertained with its obnoxious partner, and more into watching Mel cook.

Ahh those are the most delicious eggs…and the most delicious ass…I've ever seen, the outlaw smiled sleepily.

"Right Gene?" The dark eyes glanced up at his grin.

"Right what?" Gene said, yawning heavily as the outlaw leaned into the table.

"Gene you can lend a lucky guy like me a couple hundred wong right?" He grinned sinking into another kitchen chair as Daniella pulled plates out of the cabinet.

"Oh yeah?" Gene grunt a sleepy smirk "You don't look so lucky to me Jim." the outlaw chuckled "And where am I supposed to get that kind of money?" Gene sighed a baffled frown as he shrugged. They always managed to get something when they really needed it.

"Come on Gene I know we've got *something.*" Jim grinned at him, leaning onto the table thrilled.

"What the hell are you so happy about?" he frowned sliding back slightly. "Move, I am eating with or without your hundreds we don't have." He grinned shoving Jim's arm out of his way so he could grab a plate. Blue eyes just looking at him as he sprinkled some pepper and salt down to the warm smell of eggs before glancing up. Watching Jim just raise it's eyebrows at him. "Jim...Go. Away." He growled, glaring at the laughing blue eyes.

"Jim I need you to fix the washing machine today." They glanced up at Mel's -thoughtful- tone, or so they dubbed it as she looked around for things to be done. "And Gene when are you going to move that stuff in the garage?" She sent a small frown to the unruly red hair lazily chewing.

"How about when Jim tells me where we're going to get these millions. We're not in trouble with the cops are we?" He suddenly frowned , looking dead on at Jim, before at Danielle's -no- from inside the fridge. "Good." He groaned as Jim nudged him. "Will you bug off."

"Come on Gene I am serious, I need about seven hundred Wong." Jim frowned at him. Tone becoming serious, and he gagged on his eggs. SEVEN!?

"WHAT?! I thought you meant more along the lines of four? Jim I don't have anything. If you want money so bad go out and get some!" He chuckled watching Jim lean back in its chair, thinking about the where it could get money the fastest. "What the hell do you need it for? The outlaw star is fine, this isn't about the Ehefrau is it?" He gave Jim a look watching the blue eyes sit there staring back before getting up.

"Jim?" Daniella called into the hall after him as he left heading towards the door. "Where are you going?" She made a face, scrunching her nose lightly to the -stay here I'll be back in about half an hour- "Did he say half an hour Mel?" She glanced at the raven hair watching it nod before looking back down at the frying pan.

"Did you want more eggs Gene?" She smiled warmly, glancing up at the strong outlaw behind her looking into the frying pan. Mocha eyes sighing as she felt his hand run over her stomach, Daniella watching them from the corner of her eye.

Smooth raven hand gently gripping the scarred skin and moving it to a certain spot before looking up. Watching Gene's expression soften to an affectionate, calm satisfaction. To the outlaw how that part of her stomach was different from the rest who cared. All that mattered was it has worked, she was pregnant, and in nine months, she would give birth. "Don't tell Jim just yet." She smiled at Danielle who had stopped dead, fridge door open, milk half way out staring. Completely aware by where Mel had moved the Gene's hand she was pregnant.

"At the same time." She muttered it out loud accidentally and Gene glanced at her.

"Same time what Daniella?" He grinned, running a hand through his hair as he started back towards the table. Daniella watching him before shaking her head no and pulling the milk out of the fridge. Melinda's eyes burning into her back...same time...her mocha eyes frowned looking over the thin figure in a tank top and shorts...same time pregnant?

"Daneilla." She called after the green eyes that turned around with a small hmm? smiling at her. Aware it was being studied and trying to hide it. Green eyes darting at the outlaw occupied chugging coffee before back at the Melfina who was crushing her secret. "Same...time?" She waited for an answer, a blink, or sign she would understand and Gene wouldn't. Something Daniella would say to let her know, was she right? Same time pregnant? The small second that paused between them was immense with emotion. It meant so many things. For her, someone to share a pregnancy with, someone to also draw attention from people, a woman to talk to her would understand just what she meant, a pleased almost excited feeling rushed at her the same time an almost jealous one did. Daniella had just conceived so quickly, she hadn't even been aware they were trying, it was almost unfair. She had worked hard to get pregnant, and Daniella had just up and did it in the blink of an eye. Still, this young girl was her friend, in a weird way, a way she wished she could understand better…a daughter. Sharing would not be hard.

No answer came. Daniella just bit her bottomed lip uneasily before sitting the milk down and walking out.

Her mocha eyes silently watching, thin red hair, white tank top and pink shorts open the garage door and walk out. "Where's she going?" Gene cocked an eyebrow at how fast Dan had left before shrugging as she muttered a - don't know-

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She looked up as the car started pulling back into the garage. Her green eyes watching Jim stand up behind the wheel as it turned off. "Good. If I came back and you went to work I was going to go crazy." He grinned at her hopping out of the car as she stood up from the box she had been waiting on. Looking at him. "What's wrong?" he caught her expression immediately, he always did. It was tight, slightly stressed, her green eyes averted as they traveled to him. It was like the moment he had stepped from the car, and landed on the ground he was open to the reception that was her. The mind set and emotion that came off her in facial expressions, body language, and just the fact he knew her. Knew she was upset, knew there was something wrong. "What?"

"Jim I don't think we can afford our baby." She looked up, something's you could say hiding. "I don't think we should have it." His face was shocked for the fast instant he blinked.

"Are you crazy?" His lop sided grin appeared was still thrilled. "Of course we should have it! We'll do fine." He watched her shake her head. Ok, maybe one baby they could afford but, not with Mel having hers too. And Mel was at it first so they should be the ones to step down gracefully. "Come on Dan." He frowned at her firm expression.

"Jim I am serious." She was upset and her face read it in every way possible as she shook her head. "We can't afford this. Don't lie to me!" He looked down as she shoved his laptop at him. His face sinking slightly with all the little red digits.

"Yeah but this is different we-"

"-How is this different!" She snapped. "Are you telling me you guys pick which bills to pay!? The different kinds you pay and the other kinds your hulled in for?" She gave him a look watching him frown. "Jim we can't ok. We could make another baby tomorrow if-"

"-No." She stopped at his snap watching him frown at her. "We have to keep it...I *want* it." He frowned at her heavy, exasperated moan. The baby was inside her, she felt this just pressing on her shoulders. IF they couldn't afford it, she felt it would be her fault before Jims, even though that didn't make any sense.

"I want it too." She sighed hard, her eyes falling to the ground. "But I don't want...I don't want to not be able to feed it! Or take it out! Or buy it cute clothes! I don't want it turning out with a poor childhood. Jim if we can't hold our ground what kind of example are we setting? I am not going to have my baby growing up in the dirt of this town and seeing things and hearing things that...I mean I just don't want it to get all messed up and turn out like...." She stopped. Her eyes snapping at his, her mouth still open.

".....Like me." He watched her fast blink? Was that what she was saying? No. She loved him, but she could also remember when she was younger. She remembered what she saw and how he was. "Well guess what I don't want it to turn out like me either." He gave her a hard frown, shoving the laptop back at her. Ignoring her small stumble back and fast worried blink. No. No that wasn't what she meant.

"No that's not what I said." She frowned watching him start for the door. Blonde hair walking out, irritated outside, hurt inside. Just the way he was taught, the way Gene always was. "Jim!" Her voice was soft and almost desperate as it called to him. If he didn't turn around she would cry for hours. His face scrunching up with her voice as he slowly strolled to a stop. Light hands running onto his face before turning around and giving her dull look as they dropped. "I would never think that." She frowned shoving the computer aside to cardboard boxes. "..I would never…never think that it's…it's just Mel's pregnant." She watched his eyes widen in a frown as his face was swallowed up with a -what? Since when? Since how?- expression. "It's not that I don't want our baby, or, ok maybe we could afford it...barely!" she made a small space with her fingers smiling as she walked over. Watching him look down at her still outwardly irritated. "Just barely." She giggled softly. "I just think that...two at one time might be kinda hard." She smiled warmly at him as he ran his hand onto the side of her face. "The way you two work together it's like one paycheck coming in. How can one check pay for two babies? And I am only a cop." Her worried expression resurfaced, she had never picked her career thinking of money, just...well...her father.

"Does Gene know?" She nodded up to his smile.

"Yeah I wasn't supposed to say anything about it." She made a small frown with his chuckle. "So try and act surprised when Mel gives you the news." Her smiled brightened as he laughed.

"So I guess, then...we're going to barely make it right?" He grinned hopefully, watching her sigh. "Daniella, if you want it...let's keep it. We can do it." As she looked up, his smile was so reassuring she almost couldn't help but nod. His eyes watching her giggle at the - yess?- he teased her with.

"Okay, ok. Yes." She nodded slowly, watching him grin before glancing at his hand as he pulled wong out of his pocket, six hundred worth. "Oh my god, Gene's such a liar!" She giggled hard, grabbing the Wong and flipping it through her fingers.

"Actually he's not." He grinned watching her look up. "We really don't have anything, this is from Mike, Iris and Cidny." Her face brighten as she looked back down at the money. That was so sweet. "Oh my, Jim, did you say thank you?" She looked up smiling, watching him make a -are you kidding, course I did- expression before a teasing laugh.

"HahaNo I just took it and strolled out of there. Don't answer the phone." She smiled looking down at the money that had been donated to them to spend on fun. Mike, Iris and Cidny were always short on cash, this was a lot to give to someone…it meant a lot. "Come on lets get lunch." He chuckled happy, strolling out of the garage and lazily into the kitchen, ignoring her -you just ate breakfast- from behind him. "Gene." He grinned as he walked in, watching the outlaw look up from where it was frowning at the electric bill. Drinking the milk from the cartoon of their fridge. "I need you to handle things down here, while I go somewhere for a few days." He chuckled watching the scarred face choke on milk for a second.

"What?" His dark eyes shot Jim a baffled expression. "Just where do you think your going?" He frowned baffled, watching the light skin just lick it's lips, happy as hell where it stood.

"I am going... ok I don't know where yet but.." He sighed giving Jim a look. Idiot.

"Moron." He said. Slouching back into the kitchen table with the mail. "Did you see our electric bill?" He made a face as Jim snatched it from him.

"Ok just hear me out." Jim sat down fast at the other end of the table shoving the bill aside. "I am going somewhere with Danny cause she's...she's pregnant and I want her to keep it." He grinned, watching Gene just look at him. Dark eyes watching its younger partner, almost to excited to sit still as it waited for his response.

"Mel's pregnant." He said, grunting as a slow grin spread over his face as Jim laughed. "Geez and Danny's..." He smiled. "How far along?"

"Two weeks. It's just...it's *in* her stomach." Jim made a circular shape with its hands, blonde hair shaking at how absolutely profoundly astounding that was. "I have to go somewhere with her before the baby gets here Gene, I mean now right? I should, you can handle things for a few days right?"

"You know what they say." Gene grinned at him. "There's no time like the present." He chuckled slyly watching Jim just get up to a -this is so cool-. Light hands opening the fridge and drinking orange juice from the cartoon, choking lightly as Mel came walking in..

"Jim don't." Her mocha eyes frowned taking the cartoon from his laughing face threatening to spit at her. She gave him a look as he nodded, and she sat the juice back into the fridge before turning towards Gene. Giggling lightly at how happy and guilty he looked. "Gene, you did it too didn't you." She sighed as she stated her question/comment, she already knew the answer. Raven hair shaking no as she sighed, picking her apron up. It was time to make lunch.

"Mel Gene told me the news. How great huh?" Jim smiled at her wiping orange juice off its face as it leaned into the fridge. Mocha eyes looking down to a strong smile. "Danny's pregnant too." His blue eyes watched the mocha color look back up, smiling sweetly at him, but she didn't look all to surprised.

"Congratulations Daniella." Mel spoke looking past him and he turned around. Daniella was there, walking in with a humored smirk of a smile he kept spitting the news around. So excited.

"Ah huh." She giggled, watching Jim grin as he came right at her. More then anything he wanted to give her whatever he could, whatever would make her happiest. So much he wanted to give her, just, to say thank you. Thank you for being with me.

"We have to decide where we're going. We can go anywhere in the universe with the Outlaw Star." She watched him smile and mumble his confession at how much money he would blow in two seconds to have one night with her. To show her everything he could before he watched her make his child. "Just lets go..." He trailed lightly, looking up at Mel who let out a muttered -Jim?- in a soft concerned tone he hardly recognized anymore. So long forgotten yet the same one she had used when he was left alone as her last line of defense when Gene and Aisha fought and he brought her back to the ship alone coated with glass. Her tone would have been appropriate had he been shot or was bleeding profusely all over the kitchen.

He stopped talking mid sentence when he heard it, because he was not bleeding profusely and was rather perplexed to hear it. Turning around to Mel with a baffled expression and leaving Daniella's smile to his side. "You…you were born on Earth?" Mel asked quietly, looking up from the letter Gene snapped from her. Trying to think fast on how it could fix this. This was not happening, not now it was not happening.

"Yeah?" He shrugged. "That's what my records say, I don't know Mel." He gave her a baffled smile. "Why?" He asked a nervousness running into his concerned expression. Why was Gene just glaring at that paper? "What is that?" Gene looked up at his demanding tone. Quickly stepping forward and yanking the letter from Gene like it had done to Mel.

Gene frowned at him, but it wasn't at all irritated. "All Earth natives are being drafted." The outlaw stated, watching his eyes dart around the words and sentences printed on the government issued paper. Not just the Sentinel government, or the sector government power, but Earth power as well. Blue eyes smearing from one statement to the other, feeling its heart pick up fast.

..Requesting all availed Earth born males report....enacting the requirement of your service to serve and protect the planet....of your birth and right to honor your.....are to report...direct violation will be...

"Tomorrow?" He felt his words choke in his throat. Daniella shoving into him suddenly, yanking the letter from him so she could read it. But he couldn't go to war? "But I am not even a very good shot?" He frowned, looking with a weak lop sided smile to Gene who was just glaring at him deep in thought. "Gene the only thing I can--"

"--Just about the only thing your good for is complaining , thinking and scouting the roof tops." Gene spit its joke bitterly, watching him look down at the paper Daniella suddenly shoved back at him. Her hands grabbing him instead now, squeezing tightly now that she had read he had to leave. How he would be imprisoned and put to death if he didn't go. How he had to report tomorrow. How he was assigned to fight.

"Jim you can't go!" She screamed tugging his arm, watching him open his mouth slowly for some kind of excuse or reassurance he wouldn't get himself killed but… he couldn't Think OF What TO SAY! What Could You Possibly SAY!?

"He's not." He choked at the phrase Gene spit behind him, and he whirled around to the outlaw. "Your not going." Gene growled shaking its head as it snapped the paper from him.

"Gene did you read this?!" He felt himself scream at the outlaw watching the dark eyes just throw the paper at the table mad. Swearing lightly as it looked up. "I have to go!" He felt himself beating himself with his own words.

"No!" Gene snapped throwing a finger into his face. "Your not going. You hear me? *You* got her pregnant now you *have* to stay. You want to get yourself killed?!" Gene frowned at him, watching his eyes just dart around as he thought about all of this. But to Gene, it couldn't just let Jim go. It couldn't. Not with such a risk, not with having to live everyday after feeling responsible if something happened…and something always happened. "….I'll go."

"WHAT!?" He screamed, shocked, but Gene just nodded. Quickly backing up and leaning into the wall closing its eyes for a moment. Silently trying to prepare itself because it wanted to take his place!?

"You heard me." Gene answered, glaring at him. "You think I like it any better? But I am not about to sit here and watch you go off and get your brains blown out!"

He shook his head. "You can't go Gene. Who are you fooling!? They'll know in two seconds! You don't look a thing like me! Then you'll be in jail and Mel will be by herself!" He yelled pointing at Melfina who jumped. The moment she did Gene pushed off the wall and moved into his face with a glare.

"What about Daniella." Gene growled.

"What about Melfina?" He retort, watching Gene's face argue with itself. It couldn't leave Melfina, but how could it just let him go! "I am...I have to go." He swallowed hard with his raspy mutter. His throat was starting to dry with the reality of all this. He would probably die, most everyone died in those fights. Gene gently took his shoulder for support as he looked down. And who was he leaving behind? Daniella, and *his* baby, who would grow up without a father. "You have to stay and...Ah." He chocked a small sound to the scarred fist that snapped at him suddenly. Slamming him good.

Dark eyes watching him bend over from where he had just punched it in the gut. Mel screaming lightly the instant he was hit, and Daniella choked a louder surprised sob from where she was crying. "You think.." Gene grit its teeth at him growling. Yanking him back up fast and bawling the front of his shirt frustrated. He knew that was it. Gene was frustrated, and this was the only way he had ever seen the guy vent. It must be the only way Gene did vent, it beat stuff. "You think I'll just do nothing and watch you leave!" He growled, shoving him back and he hit the kitchen wall with a cringe as the wind was knocked out of him. But he didn't fight back. "After!" Gene was almost hyperventilating. "AFTER WHAT! After I'VE BEEN HERE! SINCE YOU WERE TO SHORT TO SEE OVER COUNTER TOP! SINCE..SINCE THEN and NOW TOO! ALWAYS! I'll ALWAYS, SINCE AND ALWAYS!" Gene growled hard pulling Jim forward and slamming it back hard with its words.

How much did the outlaw hate this grinning boy of light colors for making him love it.

"You know me better." He growled hard, furious with the blue eyes that slowly opened from where they hadn't been fighting back. Breathing roughly at the scarred face just glaring at it. "You know damn well that 95% of *everyone* drafted for planet side wars die." He growled hard into the blue eyes, watching them just silently look back . Jim knew that...knew it'd probably die. "*I* am going, do you hear me?" He frowned hard. "I am going and your staying and I am *not* discussing it Jim." He growled hard sending one last slam at the blonde hair before shoving the t-shirt from his hands as he turned around furious some outside force was doing this. A silent invisible strength he couldn't shoot with his gun, or fight with his mind ripping things apart. "What the hell am I supposed to do with two pregnant woman, half a business and a car that's a color I hate." He frowned at the sorrowful blue eyes as he slowly gave a lop sided grin with his tease. "This." His scarred finger picked up pointing at Jim with a sigh. "This is so like you Jim." He shook his head. "Always a..." He grinned suddenly "A pain in my ass." He chuckled hard watching the blue eyes choke a pained smile. Laughing softly as he started chuckling harder glancing at the clock. They had thirteen hours. He choked a good laugh. Then Jim would leave, and…and probably die. Jim started laughing harder and so did he. That was even funnier.

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His dark eyes jumped, snapping open to the sound of the bedroom door swinging in. "Hey Damnt." He frowned, watching the blonde hair stumble in and start over to the closet. His scarred face frowning. "Jim you idiot, I was almost asleep." He groaned annoyed, looking down at the small red droplets of blood the cloth he held was soaking up.

"Sweetie?"

He looked up, dark eyes grinning at Iris's soft navy blue smiling at him, looking down at the cloth on his side. All soft creases of the white cloth busy soaking up the blood from the hole the bullet had left. Her soft face frowning. Grimacing at the deep raw colors of red she saw as he moved it slightly, ignoring Jim who walked over and looked with her.

"I said gun." The blue eyes frowned at his cut. He had yelled gun, the guy had a gun. "You never listen to one thing I say!" His dark eyes frowned looking up at the light face standing next to the side of the bed he lay on. Looking down at him, at his injury annoyed. Hurt and annoyed Gene could have listened and be partying out in the bars main room rather than soaking up blood in one of the back ones. "I said GUN!"

"Jim!" Her navy eyes snapped at the frowning blue the bleeding outlaw only growled at. Watching the small ten year old expression soften as he looked up at her. "Enough." She whispered, watching the blonde hair silence, frowning as it stumbled lightly.

"Blast your drunk." His dark eyes frowned, watching Jim look at him immediately, mad. "Get out." He growled, watching the small face grit it's teeth at him, to a sloppy -sleezeball-

"Sweetie go get a room or they're going to get full huh." She smiled lightly as she offered the loose blue shirt and jeans a small shove. Her thin weight sinking into the side of the bed as she sat down. Navy blue eyes watching the four foot three ten year old slur to the doorway before slamming the door mad. "I didn't *let* him drink anything." She frowned looking down at the unruly color frowning at her.

"Who did then? Blast it Iris, last time Darle-"

"-Oh Gene, I can't believe you!" She frowned, cutting him off and watching growl at her. "You animal! Why didn't you just let that guy in huh!? What do you want to do huh? Get your .." She stopped, watching him just look a her. His dark face studying her soft eyes and thin features as she squeaked her criticism and worry to him.

"I didn't like the look in his eye."

He watched her frown immediately. All this, because someone looked at him wrong. "Ya huh. Next time Gene Starwind I am gonna side with Jim." She shot him a irritated frown as she gently pulled the bloody rag from his side and gently pressed a new one to it. Watching his body physically wince as the lines in his abs tensed and his chest tightened, but his eyes. His eyes remained the same, casually watching her, not a trace of pain.

"Your sweet Iris." He grinned his whisper at her as she looked up. Her thin features frowning at him. That was the same smile. The same one he gave before he almost took her down with him.

__*~*~*~FLASHBACK~*~*~*__

"Gene!"

Iris stood wide eyed, hanging onto Jim who just screamed. "Hey!" She squeaked as the small shoulders tried to bolt forward and out of her arms. "Jim stop!" She clamed her fingers down, hanging onto the small boy better as she started ahead. Watching the shadowed mossy green eye stomping back from the doorway of the bar and out from in front of Gene. Unruly red hair looking down at the bullet in its side. "Shh. Jim!" She called after the boy who suddenly pulled super hard and got away. Blonde hair running forward, and she mimicked heading for Gene too. As if she just learned the space between herself and the bleeding outlaw she loved, was crossable.

"Gene you idiot! I hate you!" Jim yelled, running to Gene's side and throwing its small hands over the bleeding wound. Covering it entirely as it looked up at the much taller figure. At the dazed expression looking at its bloody fingers that had just touched its wound before at her. Hardly aware of her whined -Geeene!- as she grabbed his shoulders to help steady him. Gene was suddenly stumbling forward oblivious to hard she was breathing, or how hard Jim was growling at it from underneath and in-between them. Wide blue eyes watching the runny red liquid squirt out between its fingers in thick sticky gobs that smelled raw and ran down its arms to its elbows before trickling to the floor. "AH MIKE! Help Me! IRRIS! Ahhh! Help ME! HEELP MEE!" Jim screamed terrified, the warm sensation of the blood running down its body waking it up and bringing tears to its widened eyes.

She looked down at the small boy whining as it willed its hands tighter to Gene's body. Its own shifting around and almost dancing where it stood upset and unable to cope with its fear without the bleeding outlaw. "Jim yo-" Mike suddenly ripped her aside before grabbing Jim and shoving it away as Gene started coming forward. Clinging to Mike for support with a deep throated growl of pain that slumped to the floor with Mike's help.

"Damnt Gene Starwind, your reckless bastard." Mike's black eyes frowned down at the scarred skin as it hurried to make an assessment over the wound. Her body rigid and wide eyed behind Mike chewing her fingernail to hell as Jim shoved back in. Throwing its small hands back over Gene's wound and leaning its forehead into the outlaws stomach with more whining she couldn't understand. "Iris." Mike turned to her, watching her pale stricken expression answer without sound. "You goes and you gets the three I with in the back room right now." Mike watched her glance in the direction it pointed in before jumping to its loud "Now!" Barked at her thin form that started for the hallway immediately. "Mr. Wizard?" Mike turned to the thin little body curling into Gene's side hands pressed into its wound. Small face pressed to the outlaw's stomach talking away. Swearing at the outlaw for being hurt and begging it to stop bleeding, promising anything and everything it thought might help as it desperately tried to keep the scarred skin from leaking away onto the floor. Small thin fingers imbedded into the wound, plugging it. "Hey now." Mike grinned softly, gently grasping the smaller wrists and prying them away as Iris and three strong men suddenly reappeared. Wide crying blue eyes snapping up as they were touched and shaking as it was gently moved off the outlaw. Its thin fingers spread apart smeared and coated with blood like its arms. "I got everything under control here. I tells you if we need your help." He grinned, gently nodding his words to the terrified expression that hitched when Gene was quickly lifted by the three guys who had arrived to help.

"Gene!" Jim screamed, scrambling up after the outlaw that was groaning as it tried to stand. Slumped over maybe, leaning into some people, maybe - but standing nonetheless. "Gene!?"

"No." He reached out and grabbed the small arm fallowing Gene and his friends towards the back room. "No…I said, everything is going to be fine. You, will wait here, Mr. Wizard." He kept his calm reassuring expression as the blonde started shaking its head no. Thin arm in his grasp yanking to get free with a -I need to go!- that was yelled at him as tears finally welled to high to stay within the wide blue eyes. "Now Mr. Wizard. You listens to me because I am going to fix Gene faster than you can count to a hundred." The tugging stopped to a crying subservient expression that wanted that. More than anything it was so scared Gene would die. It would be left alone, it didn't know what to do. It didn't know how to react now, or what to say. "I want you to hold those tears Mr. Wizard, cause if I need your help, your going to be needing your eyes." He smiled at the thin face that sniffled hard and straightened its shoulders up to fix itself. It's eyes still locked on him confused, and wanting to go to the back room. It wanted to go! Gene would have went if it was him! What if Mike needed help! It could help! And to a small boy this was plausible, this was logical and the kind expression gently holding its arm in front of it didn't seem to understand. Mike just didn't seem to understand how badly it wanted to go, it only knew if things were bad, those were memories Jim didn't need. "I want you to sit here." He shoved the skinny figure, watching it trip and look at the bar stool it bumped into. "Cause I am gonna teach you a new hobby Mr. Wizard." He grinned leaning into the counter top next to the small cup of ice and liquor. "It's very much the same as drinking your troubles away." He grinned at the blue eyes. Eyes that would never buy into that, and he knew it. Six years of events and memories with the kid told him, it never would. His strong hand guiding the cup to the frowning thin lips looking off to the side. Towards the room Gene had disappeared into before looking down at the liquor and ice in front of it and taking the cup. He nodded satisfied, patting the small shoulder as it started gulping down the disgusting bitter taste down. "Good." He winked at the small body that jumped as the warm heat exploded in its stomach as it registered the liquor, and he started back towards the room.

The thin cup slid away as he sat it down. Watching Mike head to the small room and go in, shutting the door behind it. Iris walked over and picked up his cup smelling the inside before wiping her eyes with a whined "Aa noo." Sniffling as she poured him something before sitting it down. "Here." He looked at the cup she slid at him. "You better drink this too Jim or your gonna be sick." She sighed heavily, leaning into the counter as she watched the shaky bloody hand take the cup. Completely silent blue eyes watching her ignoring the fact they were filled with tears. Studying the way she didn't whine, or move, just stared into the counter top as though in her own little world before sobbing a loud outburst. "Ahh he's such an animal!" She squeaked slamming her hand down on the counter and he jumped. Her other hand rubbing up to her eyes as her beautiful features scrunched up. "Ohh I hate it!" She looked up at him suddenly, watching the tears in his eyes just fall to his cheeks without sound. "I hate this Jim. I hate it." He stiffened as she gently reached over and took his bloody hand with a smile. "It's going to be ok. You know that right. Ok. That's how its going to be hunny." He quickly looked away to hide his tears. Mike said not to cry. Staring at he wall he could feel Iris cradling his hand before gently rubbing it. Bringing a warm washcloth to his arm and smearing at the blood to a soft muttered. "Your getting blood all over your shirt sweetheart."

__*~*~*~END FLASHBACK~*~*~*__

Jim frowned, slamming the bedroom door behind him as he started back into the mist and music of the bar. Heading directly for the counter top and climbing into a stool. "Cid." He whined out her name exhausted, watching her look up at him.

"Babe I am not listening to one thing you say. It says here it is 12 ounces red, it 12 ounces red." She watched him moan annoyed as she slid him the drink direction sheet. He shoved it back as soon as he could touch it.

"But it's wrong! You can't make a cup and a half with only the three liquors and some red." He cried with a frown. Was she crazy?! Cid wasn't exactly the brightest person he had seen with numbers, but anyone could spot that flaw. It just didn't add up, but still she only shook her head with a hummed emeem telling him she wasn't going to listen. "Look Iris wrote it she was probably not thinking of-well-weellll probably wasn't really working hard-paying attention." Cid's feminine dark eyes glared at him as he started insulting Iris before cocking an eyebrow at his slurred speech.

"Babe you been drinking behind my back?" Her stern tone made him look up immediately and shake his head no. "Emmhmm" She sounded skeptical, but believed him. "Not on Cidny's watch." She shook her head pouring the drink mix into the measuring cup. Her tight leather red dress ducking down to be level with the counter top, watching the blue liquid measure off at a cup and a half.

"That's impossible." He said staring at the cup, her eyes flicking up to him with a smile. "Cid that's…" He trailed, dazed with the alcohol but still…it was impossible, she didn't add enough stuff to make a cup.

"It's new." She smiled standing up. "Want to know what it's called?" He didn't answer, just watched her pour it into a shot glass.. Soft strands of blue color swirling around the clear liquid that was the drink as though suspended inside it. "Blue stream." She smiled at him. "It's going to be a smash when it becomes legal." She giggled, watching the color swirl faster as she held the cup up. "One, because it makes more then you need to add..and two because it's supposed to make you see in colors." She glanced down at him as she finished, wiggling her eyebrows lightly.

"What color?" He sighed out his question after a deep inhale. Sounding as though he was bored, just truly exhausted and a little smashed from all the liquor he had been offered.

"Blue I think, but who knows babe! Goodness knows Cidny ain't touching a drop of this." She giggled and shoved his groggy extended hand away. "And neither no one else I knows till it be legal. You want to die of some disease!?" she spit frowning, watching him sleepily grin. sighing since he wasn't going to get to taste that and wiggling his loose tooth around in his mouth with his tongue before with his finger. She snapped him a squint when she saw that. "And don't put your fingers in your mouth neither." Her thin hand snapping at his wrist and yanking him out of the stole and along after her. "You get a room? What room number you got babe?" She frowned as he just hiccuped. "It's no wonder Gene don't like you drunk." She hmp-ed her statement, pulling him with her slightly as she sat the cup down. Watching the customer pick it up and start back towards the state of loud music and dancing girls. "Where's Iris Jim?" Her dark eyes frowned at him as she spoke, he was horrible at answering while drunk. "Babe?" She crouched down in front of him, watching him shrug. Still she wasn't discouraged, instead patiently waited holding his hand, and touching his other elbow from where she crouched. Jim always knew where Iris and Gene were, the boy was like a beacon and she'd put her money on the fact alcohol would never destroy something so important. So she said nothing and waited for the real answer, keeping her eyes locked on his.

"With Gene."

"What?" She made a face. "But your supposed to be with Gene." She squeaked her statement matter o' factly before sighing and standing up. Moving towards the back hall. "Guess you can bunk with me babe cause no one…" She said before stopping her words and her walk, oh, that's right. She was booked tonight, he couldn't stay with her.

He walked into her from behind, before standing hand in hers waiting and playing with his tooth. Looking up as she looked down. "No, you can stay right across the-Jim I am gonna slap you upside you head you don't stop that and fallow me." She frowned, giggling her words as she snapped at the hand back in his mouth and started pulling him towards the back room he could stay in. Darleen wasn't booked.

Her thin hand of dark tanned skin gently opening the wood door and walking into the bedroom. Pulling the passing out blonde hair with her. "Mike and I are gonna have a talk that's what we're gonna have." She whispered, grabbing the bottom of his shirt and pulling it over his head as he lifted his arms. The closed blue eyes just leaning into her side as she started folding it before sinking into the floor slowly. "No you don't." She smiled tossing the shirt aside and pulling him back up by his arms. Shoving his thin body towards the full size bed where Darleen was sleeping. Already out cold, from the drinks and the exhaustion from working all last night and all day. "Poor Darleen, workin' too hard." She sighed pulling the bed covers down on the right side of the bed for the thin boy stepping out of its jeans. "Every body round here working all too hard." She whispered with a sweet smile down to the closed blue eyes that crawled up the side of the bed and lay down as she pulled the covers up. It was exhausted, even though it worked a couple blocks away. "Darleen girl?" She glanced up at the sleeping red hair as she smoothed the comforter out some. "Hunny baby Jim's sleeping with you." She said, sighing heavily as she started for the door with no response. She figured she wouldn't get one but she still stated the situation just in case some part of the girls brain could register it.

She closed the door and left, squeaking a "Mike!" As she caught sight of the well-built African American that banged a -there better be some good healing going on in there Starwind- laugh on the door it strolled by. Her yell causing its walk to stop and turn to her with a smile.

"Cidny." The grin widened as she started down the hall towards Mike and the bar. "As sweet and, good caused I must believe you being back here is." He paused as she caught up to him. "I am compelled to ask you, who is minding the bar?"

Her sudden small gasp and -Blast!- caused a deep chuckle, as he watched her hurry back to the counter with an -Alright! Alright I got everybody's drinks! Just tell me what you all want.- to the croud of customers that started shouting orders on sight of her.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Darleen woke up, vision slowly blurring back lightly to a small hiccup. Sleep still pulling her forehead down to her eyes and her body into the bed as her stomach growled. Pink eyes looking up at the clock from under her frizzy curly red hair. 3:43PM "Greg?" She muttered lightly as she moved, snuggling into the soft sheets she lay on. The warm sun from the window leaving her face as she gently rolled over to face the right side of the bed eyes closed. "Greg I am hungry, go ask Cid when we're all leaving to eat?" She smiled sweetly, feeling the side of the bed move. Soft sheets and skin brushing against her knee to a yawn. Her face smiling brighter as she whispered a teasing "Greeeg." Her thin hand worming out from where it was hugging sheets to her chest and sliding to the right side of the bed. Feeling the smooth white of the crisp sheets disappear to the warm cotton of boxers. "I'll make it worth.." She trailed as she ran her hand over the leg hole and towards the middle, taking hold of what was underneath. "..your...AH!" She squeaked, her eyes snapping open as she felt the hard sting of someone biting her, and shock of confusion what was in her hand didn't feel familiar. "Woe!" She squeaked snapping her hand back as she watched the wild light skin bolt up and fall off the bed in a panic. The kids frantic attempt to get up, slipping unaware it was so close to the edge, and causing her to jump. Accidentally elbowing the small mouth that disappeared over the side of the mattress with a thud. "Kid! How did you get in here!?" She frowned crawling over and looking off the side of the bed to the floor. "What? What did? What are you doing in here!?" She repeated watching the panicked blue eyes just scramble back from her the short two foot distance to the wall. Looking around at the room, for its clothes.

How did he get in here?! Who took his clothes?! "Hey Kid." She smiled sitting back into the bed from where she was on hands and knees. Watching the shaky blue eyes look up at her, his face filling with a deep red color as he pulled his legs to his chest. "Did you like that?" She said smiling as he scrambled up and widely grabbed his clothes. Avoiding eye contact with her before quickly ripping the door open and slamming it shut as he left.

His heart slamming in his chest as he slammed the door behind him to the -I thought you were someone else!- giggled at him from inside the room. His light face breathing hard as he looked down, squeezing his jeans in one hand and the door knob in the other. Ow that hurt, his fingers reached up to feel the warm heat of his swelling lip as he touched it before reaching in to his now second loose tooth. Tasting blood in his mouth as he frowned, starting down the hallway. Stupid Gene! He was supposed to bunk with him.

He started stomping down the hall. "Gene!" He yelled swinging the wood door open and stomping to the bed. Picking up a loose pillow on the floor and slamming it down. Blinking lightly to the feminine yell from underneath it.

"Jiimmm." Iris moaned exhausted. "Not nooow sweetie. Go back to beed" He frowned at the sleepy feminine phrase patronizing him. The loose pillow falling to the floor as Daniella's small thin red hair sat up shoving it off to a whined -Jim what did I do?-

"Daniella where…" He frowned at Daniella's sleepy green eyes. He wasn't going to ask her, he demanded attention, he demanded answers. "Iris! Where is Gene!?" He growled stomping to the other side of the bed. Watching Iris's thin hand just pull the blanket over her head.

"Jiiimmm." She frowned underneath the sheet. "Go back to sleep. It is tooo early huuuh?" She whined listening to him walk out of the room. Daniella snuggling back into her and lying down as he door shut.

Ok he'd try door number to. The next likely place Gene would be. "Your up early." Gene grinned at him as he pushed the open bathroom door in more, coming in.

"Gene." He frowned, watching the scarred face just cock an eyebrow to his questioning tone. Dark eyes looking down at the bandages it was peeling off its side from where it stood in front of the sink. "Why was I in that girls room?" He growled irritated, swallowing blood as he did it.

"You spend any money?" Gene glanced at him for a second, before chuckling harder at his immediate growl. Taking a step to the side as he shoved at it. Leaning into the sink and spitting blood out. Gene frowned watching. "What happened to your mouth?" Well this was baffling. It was what? Eight, nine o'clock in the mourning? And Jim managed this already? To much energy, he had drawn to that conclusion before, and he would revert to it again. Jim just had to much energy, damnt he should just sleep like everyone else.

He waited for a response, watching Jim wipe its mouth with the back of its hand as it started putting on its jeans. "Don't tell me you bit yourself." He grinned, chuckling harder as he heard Jim growl at him. Blue eyes looking up at as they pulled their pants up.

"Gene I was sleeping with that really crazy girl! The one with the red hair!" Jim shouted, frowning with his immediate -Darleen?- he laughed out. "I don't know!? The crazy one!" He laughed harder resuming his bandage unraveling. "She hit my mouth." Jim mumbled, and he glanced at the blonde who was playing with its teeth. Fingers in its mouth speaking its thoughts out loud as it frowned. There was a new tooth loose, one that wasn't loose before.

"How'd she do that?" He chuckled, looking back down at its hip. "You surprise her?" He grinned, peeling some tape off his side. "Getting some female action this mourning buddy?" He snickered watching the tape detach from the small bit it was pulling his tight skin forwards. His dark eyes looking up with a small laugh, as Jim just played with its teeth. Blue eyes ignoring what he said. "Hey did you hear me?" He chuckled watching the blue glare flick at him. Pulling their bloody fingers back out of their mouth and move their tongue around to a small nod. "Well did you?" He grinned watching Jim frown. "I told you I'd pay if you wanted to."

"Gene will you shut up!" He grinned at the loud annoyed demand. He knew Jim would get to annoyed and yell sooner or later, can't play it cool forever. He loved antagonizing Jim like that, it was so funny. "That girl is crazy!" Jim yelled, as he gently reached down to the bottom of its chin, and Jim opened its mouth for him. He looked into the small bloody mouth with a scrunched nose. He got all of two seconds before Jim shoved him off. Swallowing so it could keep on talking. "Geez! Plus! that's not what I want!"

He simply frowned at the serious mess the small mouth was in before grinning as he registered the comment. "Oh so your still on that." He chuckled, he had almost forgotten the subject had come up. Apparently Jim didn't though, the boy felt a need to give him its two cents…always.

"She made my tooth real loose." Jim said frowning, it was going to look so stupid if it lost its second front tooth while the other was coming in. That would stink. Jim looked up at the mumbled -which one?- busy unraveling itself in only a pair of boxers. "My front. Now they are both loose." Jim answered. He stopped unraveling, looking up slightly. The other front one? His eyes turning to Jim who looked unfazed by his sudden halt, but were rather still enthralled with what it could do with its wiggly teeth and tongue. "Gene it's going to look stupid if I loose this one while the others coming in." Jim whined, spitting more blood into the sink before yanking some tissues out of the small box.

"Your front one?" He asked, and the blonde head nodded. "Your front tooth. This tooth?" He pointed to his own front tooth watching Jim look and nod from where it was casually leaning into the wall holding tissues in it's mouth. "No she did nooot." He groaned "Open your mouth again." He ordered, the tissues disappeared and Jim opened its mouth letting him look in. Blast it Darleen had! You could just see the first front tooth coming in, and the second was bound to fall out at just about the time the first would have finished coming in, but not entirely. Just enough time would be left for it to put pressure on it and make it tilt, and the second would come in crooked and there was no way- "No way we can afford…" braces.

"Afford what?" Jim frowned slightly at his broken comment. "Our heating? Our water? All the bills we can't afford Gene?" Jim said smiled at him, putting the tissues back to it's tooth. Blue eyes watching him just frown balling the medical tape he had pulled off himself and throw it to the trash. Before he walked around the short boy that kept its eyes on him. Turning as he made it to the door. "Gene you said I was bunking with you last night." His scarred face frowned listening, that was the opening sentence for Jim's nagging, but he ignored it. His dark eyes glancing around the main room as he came in. Empty stage, empty tables, it was ironic how this place was the life of the party between six pm and eight am, and then became a dead zone. "Gene are you listening to me?"

"Yeah I am listening." He groaned turning around, watching Jim stop walking as he did. Frowning up at him.

"Yeah well you said we'd share and that's *not* what happened!"

"Aa" He sighed running a hand onto his face before walking behind the bar and grabbing a small cup.

"Don't you even have anything to say to that!? Your just going to pretend I am not talking!" His dark eyes frowned, he was going to need Mike's help for this. In fact, Mike should be the one who did it so he wouldn't get penalized. He was always the one getting his actions penalized by Jim, it was definitely Mikes turn. The man couldn't play saint with the blonde forever. A good pair of pliers. Definitely Mikes turn. The small cup filled to the brim with the bitter sweet soft alcohol. "..and that's when." Jim was still going, good thing he could block it out enough to think. "…Cause that's what you said!" When it got loud he glanced down at the irritated blue eyes frowning at him. The frown faltering as he gave it the cup. "What?" Jim made a face. "Its only 3 o'clock."

"What?" He shot skeptically. "Jim it's only eight." Jim gave him a look.

"No Gene." he sighed. "It's 3 in the afternoon"

"Fine fine Jim. I am hardly listening drink this." Jim took it as he shoved the cup forward a little more. "Where's Mike?" He watched the frowning blue eyes look up from the small cup and shrug.

"Sleeping Gene, where else." Jim snorted, and he sighed, walking past the thin boy towards the hall as it gulped some of the disgusting liquor into its mouth. Dumping what was in the cup into the sink as it swooshed what was in its mouth around before spitting that into the sink too. It didn't want any, and this way it smelled like it had some. "Geene?" Jim groaned, that sleezeball hadn't heard, never mind addressed one thing it said. "Hey Gene!" Jim frowned his yell down the long hallway to the outlaw who was talking to Mike. Reckless dark eyes ignoring him as he stomped over and frowned sourly at both of them.

"..don't know what to think Gene. Your getting me penalized to save your own ass that's what I know." Mike chuckled a sigh throwing him a lop sided smile as Gene grinned at the statement. Nodding him towards the bathroom doorway, and he gave the outlaw a look before walking into the bathroom and waiting. Listening to Mike laugh to something just said before starting down the hall as the familiar blue boxers and scarred skin came around the side of the doorway. Slumping into the side and sighing at him.

"That's all you've got to say for yourself?" He gave the grinning dark eyes a look.

"Now Jim just back off a second." Gene grinned at him as it pushed off the doorway and stood up. "Its not like I would ever want you to look stupid but the truth is I just don't have the money alright?" He made a face. This wasn't news, he knew the money shortage was a fact, why did Gene feel a need to apologize and continue to tell him? It wasn't the outlaws fault they did so bad.

He just looked at Gene with a slumped expression. "You don't have to tell me that Gene Starwind, your always broke." He frowned annoyed.

" *We're* , always broke." Gene shot him a frown and he sighed. Yeah that was true, if Gene was broke, so was he. "So I am...sorry." He looked up at Gene, raising an eyebrow. About what? What was Gene sorry about with money? He didn't blame the outlaw, he didn't feel bad they…didn't have…a lot of things they wanted. That's just how things were, and everyone he knew lived the same way. Gene always gave him extra, when things got tight Gene would save him the extra food. He didn't…he just didn't blame the outlaw. "If…Jim if your teeth get, well if they all become crooked, I'll try to pull some strings or something." Gene shrugged lightly. There really wasn't anything it could do if that happened. "But Braces are over a thousand Wong Jim. We just don't have it."

He shot the light face a small grin to try and soften the blow but Jim's eyes widened immediately. WHAT!?

"What!?" The blue blinked. "What's wrong with my teeth?! They're fine!" Jim shot at the mirror, opening its mouth to see. They looked fine.

"Yeah sure, now they're fine." Gene said with a half shrug, watching the light fingers continue to move the loose teeth. "But they're going to become crooked. The one you got coming in will never make it before the one that's loose now." He spit his comment matter o' factly, watching Jim lean closer into the mirror. Trying desperately to see the problem so it could see a way out of it. "Sorry buddy." He shrugged.

"What?" Jim cried, whirling to look at him with a wild wide eyed look. "Your sorry!?" You are sorry!? GENE! I am going to look like such a!…" He trailed, Gene just staring back at him. Wishing it had the money but didn't, light features slowly slipping to an absent disappointed upset expression. "It's cause both my front teeth-"

"-Are loose. They'll throw everything out of whack." Jim sighed heavily, listening to the small -Gene?- Daneilla spoke from outside the hall. Unruly red hair turning around to a mumbled -be right back- before disappearing. His reflection coming back at himself as he looked back into the mirror. Back at his face, opening his mouth to look at the small bit of white which was his new front tooth next to the wiggly second that had almost come out when that crazy girl elbowed him.

"Damnt." He frowned, he was going to look like such a loser. Such a loser and there was no way he could hide that, it was his mouth! He had to use it, to eat and to talk! "Damnt!" He felt the cold surface of the sink impact against his fist as he punched it. The warm sting and light throb running into his fingers and knuckles as he stared down at the floor. How was it this was going to happen and he was powerless to stop it? Gene, powerless to stop it? Things weren't that way, they couldn't be that way. There was always a logical explanation for everything, a logical course of action that had to fallow every…" He trailed, blue eyes blinking lightly at the bucket next to the laundry basket. At the old and dirty clutter of tools and screws so the small vent could be installed. "A logical…course of…action." He listened to the sound of his voice whispering to himself as he stared at the strong set of pliers. He had a pair like that. "A logical…" He looked up at the door, Gene was down near the end of the hallway hanging onto Daniella's hand as she used his body to lean back and swing from side to side. Unruly red hair ignoring her as it spoke into Iris's doorway, preoccupied. "Maybe…logical." He choked out his small words as he started walking. Cool tile floor of the bathroom traveling under his bare feet as he started for the door. Nothing but loose blue jeans and light skin. His hand running over the brass knob of the door and shutting it. Locking it. Blue eyes whirling around, snapping back at the sink, at the pliers. Watching his own reflection come to him in the mirror as he looked at himself. At the tense braced expression that was his face, and the strong orange metal of the pliers that were in his hand as he slowly opened his mouth.

Wouldn't be so bad. It wouldn't be so bad if he could get…If I could just get this tooth out, I could, it would fix my mouth. His blue eyes watched the strong metal clamps of the pliers move gently against his thin lips, into the opening of his mouth. His eyes doing a fast blink to the strong braced feeling of his tooth as he squeezed the metal handles down and clamped the pliers. It would pull when he did, and he would, pull hard. Pull hard, his mind echoed as he braced, as he took a deep breath. His heart pounding with the adrenaline and nervous cold sweat. This tooth, was coming out.

Down the Hall

"..Of that and my dress Gene." Iris's feminine navy blue eyes shot him a giggle as he leaned into her doorway. Feeling the occasional pull as Daniella used him to swing lightly, playing. His scarred face smiling as he watched Iris crawl around on her hands and knees looking for her bra as Daniella let go of his hand. Humming behind him as she played before he frowned. Glancing back into the hall at the weird sound, but there was nothing there.

His eyes went to Daniella, the happy little red head twirling in a circle as she hummed. "Stop. Your making me sick." He said, smiling as she continued with a giggled -I hope you do puke Gene.- Teasing as she stuck her tongue at him, twirling just a little faster.

Humming and ignoring him as he turned back to Iris and started talking with -That- tone before abruptly stopping.

"Gene?" He glanced at her, frowning green eyes turning to look at him from where she now stood still. Looking slightly confused and annoyed. "I am going to be really mad at you if you did something to Jim!" She yelled, and he casually raised an eyebrow at her accusation leaning off the bedroom doorframe. Strong scarred chest and loose black jeans Iris had found under the bed strolling towards the bathroom and gripping the handle. Turning it lightly so he could open the door a crack and talk in before frowning down at the handle that wouldn't budge.

"It's locked?" He shot a baffled frown to the small brass knob he let go of. Dark eyes snapping up at the small yell from inside. "Hey Jim!?" He frowned, using his right hand to knock his yell at the same time. His left hand reaching behind him and snapping his fingers. Glancing at Daniella as she appeared next to him looking up. "Daniella go ask Mike who has a key to.."

He stopped talking grabbing the brass handle at the pained "AHH!" yell from inside.

"Jim open this door!" He growled yanking at the cool brass. Watching Daniella jump, bolting down the hall and into her aunts bedroom. His dark eyes rolling as he heard Daniella asking *Iris* who had a key to the bathroom. Women, they always ran right to each other for help. "JIM!" He growled, punching the thin wood annoyed it was separating him from the room as his ears made out the heavy straining that was getting intense. With the sudden sound of the familiar hurt scream he backed up a step and rammed the door with his shoulder. He wasn't waiting for no damn key! He couldn't possibly figure out what was going on, but he sure as hell didn't like the door in his way.

He stumbled in when the door burst forward with his force. Jim coming into view as the only thing standing inside, and he blinked on sight of it. "What the hell are you doing!?" He scream, but he just stood there. Taking in the loose blue jean standing in front of the sink, counter and mirror. Light hands squeezing the strong set of pliers while shaking. A small trickle of blood running down the light hands and smearing onto its chest cutting itself somehow.

"AHHAaa!" The blonde hair screamed as he grabbed it. First in shock, then with annoyance, shoving him off as it yanked inside it's mouth. "AH! AHH!" Blue eyes growling out heavy pain as they yanked at the pliers tearing the tooth from its mouth. The hard stinking throb radiating all through its mouth and up into its head. Making this harder, making its hands shake and its stomach sick as the sweet taste of its own blood poured from its mouth.

"GOd damnt." He swore under his breath, snapping at Jim's arms which held the pliers. They released the bloody orange metal and stumbled slightly with his grab. It was as strong clamping grip that it only got when it was in trouble, and usually had to hand over what it had.

It's small mouth was still open, leaking blood as he took the pliers.

"GET IT OUT!" He jumped at Jim's frantic scream of excruciating pain that was self inflicted. Small mouth both drooling and swallowing blood as it looked down, trying to speak to him. "GET IT OUT! GET MY TOOTH!"

He felt his throat swallow hard, watching Jim's face look up at him. Quickly flicking it's head back so he could have easy access to its tiny mouth. Thin lips moving up and down slightly to the hard breathing, small hands hanging absently in the air.

"AHaaNOW! GEEENE!" His dark eyes blinked to the sudden demand. He was a little caught of guard with it, it was a little hard to conceive because he'd be hurting Jim, and it was a gross thing to do. Jim through a hard squinting frown at him when he didn't move. Ignoring the threads of warm sour blood leaking off of its lips and trickling down its chin. The raw taste and torn nerves struggling to hold its tooth into its mouth. Allowing it to hang half way off and yet still stay attached.

"Jim you stupid son of a.." He watched the light face jerk as he grabbed the smaller chin. His scarred hand snapping at it fast, engulfing the light color of jaw and blood. Small hands snapping at his wrists immediately, hanging on as the wide tear blurred blue eyes watched the pliers come back at it. The cool metal running back into its mouth bleeding through the throbbing heat.

"AHHHaaHH!" the blue eyes shut immediately. Light chest hitching to small jerks before screaming as he pulled the tooth forward. His throat swallowing hard again as he twisted the pliers around. Tangling the small nerves holding it in before yanking down. Steadying his stomach as Jim's mouth choked for a moment, spitting blood out onto his hand with the hard "AHHHH! scream that twitched in his grasp as the small tooth came out.

"You stupid bastard." His dark eyes frowned, mad the blonde hair had inflicted so much pain on itself as he dropped the pliers. Watching the light face look up silencing it's heavy breathing and hard moaning as it swallowed gulps of raw fleshy blood. "Damnt Jim!" He growled feeling the Jim's hands smear onto his arm as he looped it around the skinny chest. Warm blood running onto him with the thin fingers he pulled it over to the sink, shoving the back of the blonde hair downward towards the drain. Watching the red blood speckle into the white sink as it was spit into the enamel. the small drops running together and trickling downward towards the drain Jim kept at it.

"Gene!" His dark eyes squinted, looking up at Iris's who came right over and pushed the bathroom door fully open to see what the yelling was.. Stopping dead at Jim growling out chokes of blood and pain. Smeared with the crimson color that was coating the outlaw's arms as well. "What happened to his mouth huh?" She blinked hard, rushing up along side of him, and Jim started shoving him off.

"Geeene! I got it oookaay!" He frowned at the scarred hand wiping blood off him. Smearing some of what was on his chest before wiping at his face as it took hold of his neck for a second. "OKAAAY!" He cried his yell, wiping tears off his face and smearing more blood onto it. Growling hard as he looked over to the open bathroom door and Daniella's soft wide green eyes watching this. Scarred hands backing off him as he shoved, Iris moving back as Gene started kicking her out.

"I got it." Gene frowned at her soft navy blue. "He's fine. I got it."

"But Gene!" She squeaked a protest, stumbling back with his shoving.

"Iris come on! Give him a little privacy for crying out loud." Gene argued, pushing her out and shutting the door in her face leaving her blinking.

"This is all Gene's fault isn't it." She glanced down at her niece's soft voice. Daniella's green eyes giving her a dull look. "He's such an animal."

"Oooh I hate it I.." She squeaked lightly as the wood door opened again to Jim's growling that quickly shoved Gene out and slammed the door again. Feminine blue and green eyes quickly stepping back before just standing there, almost smirking at the outlaw that was kick out too. Scarred form groaning at them as it quickly trudged by down the hall wiping blood off its arm. This was some mourning, just god damn wonderful.

"What are we eating?" He frowned moving into the kitchen, watching Cid's dark eyes smile at him as she looked up. Scarred hands grabbing a bagel from in front of her where she sat applying cream cheese to hers. Dark eyes glancing around at the loud music and smoke already starting to fill the place. "Geez what the hell time is it?" He frowned watching Cid shrug to a -Six I think.- "Geez." He sighed again, grinning lightly at the couples making out towards the back of the room. Dark eyes chuckling as he watched Daniella's thin red hair push through the beginning of the crowd in a small tank top and capris before coming over and sitting down next to Cid. Giving him a look. "And just what is that for?" He frowned slightly, annoyed. Why did everyone blame *him* when *Jim* did something stupid.

"You know what Gene Starwind." She frowned, sliding a bagel over to herself, listening to him just grunt at her, but he wasn't going to say anything. She wouldn't have believed it wasn't his fault anyway.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

He sniffled, staring ahead at the tiles around the shower. His body sitting on the side of the tub leaning into the cold wall as he held the small package of ice in his mouth. The pulsing throb of his missing tooth still pounding up into his head, but the aspirin he took was helping that some. Dull blue eyes motionless, waiting for it all to ease...at least his mouth would be straight. "Mm." He jumped lightly as the bathroom door swung open. Tight black skirt and red shirt of some woman trudging backwards in towards him as the hungry hands of the man making out with her pushed her back. His frowning blue eyes watching them collide with the back wall and continue, oblivious to him there. He frowned annoyed where he sat there with the small sack of ice in his mouth. He couldn't even have *one* moments privacy with strangers. He watched the guys hands run around in side her shirt as he pulled out of her mouth for a moment. Strong hand pulling a small package out of its pocket, tipping it over its mouth and swallowing before tossing it.

He looked down at the breath and mouth sweeteners that slid over by his feet. Reaching for it bored, and picking it up and shaking. Looking back up at the couple having themselves what everyone referred to as -a good time.- How come he couldn't have a good time like that? Or at all, for that matter. He frowned, dropping the ice from his mouth as he shut it, swallowing. Feeling the numbed skin around his teeth as he opened the small container. Letting the sweet minty pebbles empty into his mouth. Quickly coating it with a minty taste that would change into three flavors depending on what -preference- entered it next. His loose jeans getting up, listening to the girls surprised squeak behind him as the two suddenly became aware he was there. Her surprised -There was A little Boy in here!- watching the small figure just walk out and down the hall. Blue eyes glancing around, moving quick so whatever was in his mouth wouldn't wear off before he...He stopped, looking up at Daniella from where she was in front of the stereo control, digging through cds for the next requested song. His heart picking up a little as he frowned, determined.

"Hey." From across the room Iris squeaked a smile nudging Gene. "Looks like Jimmy's feeling better huh?" She nudged the outlaw again, and it looked up but continued chewing.. Gene's lazy gaze watching the loose blue jeans and light chest make its way through the crowd towards the Daniella's small tank top and capris.

"Daniella?" He frowned slightly, this was beginning to feel harder then he thought. Blue eyes watching her turn around, smiling quickly at him as she put the cds down.

"Oh Jim. I saw your mouth earlier. I hope it's ok. Why was it you were blee..." She stopped as he grabbed her. Green eyes blinking lightly as she watched him look at her for a second before moving at her. Leaning towards her to kiss her before stopping, hesitating, and pulling back.

"Damnt." He frowned at her, insulting himself as her nose wrinkle in response to what just happened. Looking confused and...annoyed? He frowned slightly, woops. He was in trouble now. His light features scrunched up waiting to be slapped. That's what girls did right? They slapped you in the face if you weren't good? Instead Daniella suddenly smiled, quickly grabbing the front of his shirt and leaning forwards.

His thin lips running against her softer ones as she kissed him. Crossed eyed blue color looking at her before slowly closing and running his hands around her back like that wacko in the bathroom. His face smiling from where he was as he felt her stay, excepting his tongue as she tasted the yummy what became a candy flavor in his mouth. Her closed green eyes giggling at him, feeling him smile. His mouth opening involuntarily to his grin, and she pulled back with another smile.

"Guess your mouths not so busted anymore." She giggled watching him do a small laugh, glancing away for a second before looking back up at her. Cool. That was a good.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Gene frowned, watching Jim lazily lay on it's back in the dark small room. They were staying at the bar another night. "I still can't believe you pulled your tooth out." He frowned, but the light face only smiled at him, blue eyes closed, next to ignoring him. "Are you listening to me Jim?" He frowned irritated, roughly shoving the new pillow case onto his pillow. "You could have ripped out the wrong one blast it!"

"No I couldn't."

He frowned harder at the small monotone comeback that was too preoccupied with relaxing to listen to him. He stopped, standing still as he just watched the small blonde. It looked happy to him. "You happy because you finally decided to make a move on Daniella?" He cocked a sly grin, watching the blue eyes snap open to him immediately. Giving him an irritated -it's none of your business!- look as it sat up fast. "Oh so I hit the nail on the head?" He chuckled watching the small teeth grit, but they hadn't said anything back yet.

"Gene…" He cocked an eyebrow, waiting for the comeback, interested to see what it would be. "Man your such a dirt bag. Back off. It's none of your business *what* I do with Danny Anyway! So don't act like it's your business. I don't bother you about what you do with Iris all the time!" The blue eyes frowned at him, they were planning on not getting mad. Planning on playing this one cool, so what if Gene knew. They were in the middle of the room any of the girls could have mentioned it to him. Mike could have mentioned it to him. Gene could have seen it! Damnt. Instead it didn't work out that way, Gene was annoying, and the outlaw knew by his voice he was annoyed. It was just to hard to hide, so he glared at the red head.

"Oh yeah. I beg to differ." Gene snorted. "*You're* the one that's always putting *your* nose in my business Jim. Don't give me crap with Iris. Who are you kidding. Just because you tend to like her doesn't mean you don't give me crow all the time, and Daniella *Is* my business." He frowned, throwing his pillow onto the bed, watching the blonde hair just roll onto it's side looking away. Feeling annoyed with him, but what Gene was saying was true. He didn't stop nagging just because he liked Iris. "Besides." He frowned more at the grinned comment. Stupid Gene, he was going to talk some more! "I like Daniella." Gene smiled laying down next to him with a chuckle. "Spend more time with her."

"Shut up!" He frowned as the scarred hand nudged his back, teasing him. His blue eyes frowning while a small smile ran over his face.

"Don't be so touchy." Gene laughed, dark eyes looking up to the ceiling relaxed. "Remember I'll answer all your questions." He growled at the teasing comment and Gene laughed for a moment before rolling over for sleep. It was done.

"……Night Gene." He smiled slightly, letting it grow as a strong hand just ran into his hair for a moment and ruffled it.

__*~*~*~PRESENT DATE~*~*~*__

He felt her move again, thin soft fingers gently brushing against his chest more from where she had been silent. Awake but quiet, she was the one who thought he was asleep. As if he could sleep at a time like this. Green eyes looking up at his blonde hair and open blue eyes, vacantly staring at the ceiling. Her fingers getting harder suddenly, almost digging him as she looked up at what she was giving up. The soft breathing admitting from Jim's strong chest next to her. The soft light skin that would be miles and miles away from her in some one hour. So far away her letters would take a week to reach him, and a week for him to reply. A week, seven days. So when she received a letter and sent her next one out...he might already be dead.

"Jim?" He glanced down at her soft whisper, but she only looked at him. Cute soft pink lips remaining closed. What could she say to him that would fit into words? How mad she was at him. How much she loved him. How much she would never forgive him for leaving her now with a baby growing inside her. How tight she would hang onto her endearing love for him, even if he never came back.

"I'll come back." She swallowed hard at his sudden phrase, his first phrase. Blue eyes looking up at the ceiling unsure. Was he a liar?

She watched him glance at the open bedroom door and hall to the sound of a slamming door. No doubt Gene was up, never mind Melfina who was probably being driven mad. Green eyes watching him sigh heavily as he looked back up annoyed. Blue eyes slowly closing to calm down as she slid her arms completely around him. Squeezing hard as she looked back towards the clock. Their minutes ruining down the drain like water. Wasn't time only supposed to fly when you were having fun?

"Damnt Gene!" She jumped. Jim yelling into the hall annoyed at the tense air it couldn't seem to escape. Even now, in bed with her, looking back at her as she sat up suddenly. Thin white t-shirt and gray shorts climbing out of bed and starting across the room. "What?" He frowned watching her walk to his closet. Gently stepping over the items they hadn't put away yet.

"Don't you need to bring something with you?" He heard the sad frown in her voice. Thin hands opening the closet slowly and looking in as he just flopped back into the sheets.

"No I don't." He frowned up at the ceiling. "They'll give me everything I need....Besides." He glanced back up at her, concerned green eyes watching him. His mouth remaining closed, he didn't need to finish his sentence. -Besides, it's not like it really matters what I am wearing to shoot a gun.- "Just stop thinking about it alright." She watched him sit up fast, getting up quick, as though he were suffocating. Loose gray shirt and boxers moving around anxious and frustrated. Running both hands through its hair with a heavy sigh before turning to her. "This is the last thing..." He trailed as he came towards her, gripping her shoulders. "…Last thing I want to think about while I am still here." He frowned at her, but it was a sad frown. Brilliant green eyes looking up at him, tense thin face and closed mouth. "Give me something." She blinked waiting for the request. Anything. Anything she would give to him. "A photo? Do you have.. a picture?" He watched her bolt for the dresser immediately. Thin shaky hands ripping open the drawers upset. His strong form moving behind her suddenly and digging with her. "Of you, I just want one of you." Strong light hands holding the items she was giving him as she dug.

Where? Where did she put them? God, what if she couldn't give him one. Couldn't find one? It was funny...how important a picture had become suddenly. When days ago they would have pawned their cameras for ice cream.

"Jim I don't know where..." She trailed as her hands streamed through items, digging like a mad person. Green eyes blinking hard, fighting the salt water building in them, blocking her sight. Blurring everything together in one gigantic mess of smeared color.

"What?" He frowned, his voice dropping to an uneasy desperate tone. He had to have one. "Well look for one….harder...What about here?!" She moved as he threw what he was holding at the floor and yanked open another draw digging hard.

"Jim?" Blue eyes stopping to glance at the doorway where Gene's voice was. Scarred face just opening it's mouth to tell him it saw the headlights pull up before the doorbell drowned out the beginning of its first word. Dark eyes closing as they dropped to the floor. She choked a hard pained sound into the drawer she was digging through and Jim slammed the one next to her shut. Turning to her with a fierce look zeroing in on her face.

"Find it. Fine me a picture Daniella" He grabbed, shaking firmly with his words. "Find it. I need it."

She nodded, ignoring the tears that ran from her eyes as he started towards gene and they both disappeared from the room. Her hands shaking hard, staying motionless above the sea of items in a shock this was really happening. "Ahhh." She cried, choking a sob as she grabbed the drawer handles. Ripping it back, out and dumping the items to the floor. Watching them bounce and roll away, suddenly so worthless. All she needed was a picture.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

"Are you James Hawking?" The strong face looked up at him as he came down the stairs with the outlaw. Blue eyes nodding as they moved towards the tight camouflage uniform holding a clipboard. Several other officers standing around in their front hall. they had all looked to him immediately, apparently they must have been briefed on his appearance.

"Yeah that's right." He nodded strong, his voice firm and sure. "I am Jim Hawking." He nodded, watching them activate immediately. They had the right person.

Gene stepped back as they practically circled him, spitting questions he answered the best he could as they ran a tape measure around his body. Pulling him into their war with lengths and widths.

"Jim?" Gene mumbled, but the blue eyes didn't hear him. Looking down at the clipboard it was giving. Checking little boxes before quickly sighing the bottom part and handing it back. It didn't really matter what it said, he had to go. So he had to sign.

-Outside.- The man said -The truck will take you where you need to go.- "Wait one sec." He frowned looking up from where he was quickly hopping into the loose camouflage clothes they had given him. "I am waiting for something."

"There is no time for that now. The truck will take you where you need to go." The firm eyes fixed on him motioning towards the door with a strong movement. Was he resisting? Another one that had decided last minute it wasn't ready?

"Yeah fine. I am going." He shot his words with more force. "But I *Have* to wait for this." He frowned hard, shoving the strong hands off him as they tried to show him the door. "HEY!" He shot a loud frown, watching all the movement around him stop. "I am *not* leaving with out-"

"-Jim!" He looked up at her fast yell. Daniella bolting through the foreign uniforms directly to him. He stumbled back with her weight as she jumped at his chest wrapping her arms around his neck squeezing hard. "I found one! Heeere!" She cried feeling him take the photo she was jamming into his hand. Green eyes sobbing as he hugged her staring forward over her shoulder. Looking at the foreign army faces, foreign green clothing, and Gene behind it all. Silently watching its younger partner disappear. Dark eyes coming forward as he motioned for it to come while still squeezing Daniella. Gently letting her go and slide back to the floor with a sniffle and smile.

"Daniella." He grinned her name at her, smiling soft and sure. "Just wait for me and I'll come back." He grinned, running his hand up the side of her face, smearing away her tears. "Just give me a couple months alright?" He shrugged his casual number watching her nod hard. Preying it wouldn't be a couple of years. "Gene?" He looked up at the outlaw with a wink. "*You* keep an eye on Daniella for me." He grinned watching Gene nod, just silently looking at him. Scarred chest running against his as he yanked the outlaw forward, scarred arms squeezing back in their hug.

"This better not be the last time I see your annoying face." Gene grinned as they pulled apart, letting Mel squeeze in and hug him. Still, as he hugged her back, he threw Gene and Danielle a wink from over her shoulder. Running his hands through his hair as Mel stepped off him, they had all had one hug. That's probably all there was time for.

"I'll write you everyday Jim." He grinned at Danny's sweet voice, feeling his throat swallow hard as she managed to wiggle back to him. Wrapping her arms back around his neck for a kiss. Their mouths mixing together with a desperate hunger as impatient foreign hands grabbed his arms and shoulders from behind yanking him towards the door. Daniella's tense expression pulling back as his mouth disappeared "Jim!" Gene grabbing at her as she cried out, threatening to bold after the confident light face moving into the white glare of headlights washing in from the open doorway. Pulling his blue eyes and strong silhouette into a vast ocean of endlessly clear white, fading away his colors and smile. He was moving in slow motion to her. Noting but pearl glow and her love seeping into the white abyss that threatened to swallow him with one false move. Familiar blue eyes offering them all a strong smile and teasing solute as it disappeared without a word.

What was it he could say? What word could he utter in his defense that he would be alright? That he would dodge all the right bullets, and miss all the wrong ones. His eyes watching Daniella disappear from him just as slowly as he was for her. His senses flowing over with the adrenaline of the bullets and weapons suddenly being shoved into his hand outside on their doorstep. Blue eyes not yet disconnected from everything that was his home, from everything that defined his world and way of life.

Daniella's eyes left gapping in small silent motions, a fish out of water. Motionless where she had froze, Gene grabbed her arm, and *he* had disappeared. Scarred hand now sliding to her shoulder before dropping away as she backed up a step and leaned into the outlaw. Sobbing bioandroid to her right as she closed her eyes exhausted and scared.