[hr][center][h1][b][i][color=steelblue]Ash[/color] & [color=0072bc]Thana[/color][/i][/b][/h1][/center][hr][center][b][color=steelblue]Location:[/color][/b] Parking Lot between [b]10[/b] and Gilbert Street (Wedding Site) -> Building [b]A[/b] (Ash's House) -> Building [b]7[/b] (Rec Center)[/center][hr][hr]
	It was the tiniest feeling of awkwardness, seeing Thana standing still in the crowd when everyone else was moving toward the Rec Center they were using as a Reception Hall. It had been a very long time since he had the responsibility of seeing to the needs of a "Plus One", and to be frank, he wasn't one hundred percent what he should be doing. Seeing her standing there, looking in his direction, it was quite obvious. He needed move to her direct location as soon as the situation allowed. 

	Ash gave sincere congratulations to the newly wedded couple before they walked back down the aisle as Husband and Wife. As soon as they cleared the last row of chairs at the back, he stepped away from his position as Officiant and walked confidently to Thana. [color=steelblue]"Ma'am?"[/color] he offered, holding his arm out to her. [color=steelblue]"Let's get you a decent meal and more personally introduced to our people here, starting with the happy couple. But first, I need to pick up a box from home. It's our gift. Shall we?"[/color] 

	Thana nodded and slipped her arm back through Ash's as he offered it, a small half smile tugging at one corner of her mouth. Glancing over she cocked a brow as she spotted a woman tearing off from Richard, her lips pursing to the side slightly before blinking and leaving the wonder of what was going on to others. It wasn't her business. [color=0072bc]"So, what'd [i]we[/i] get the happy couple?"[/color] she asked, a small smirk coming to her lips now as she gathered up the length of her dress in her free hand and let him lead the way back to his place. 

	[color=steelblue]"I noticed that, too."[/color] intoned Ash in a lowered voice, regarding Sana's sudden departure from her date for the evening. It was very possible that this wouldn't be the beginning of an issue, but then again, it was possible that it was a precursor to an unpleasant incident later. He didn't want to worry Thana unnecessarily, so he didn't push the issue. Besides, he made it a point to warn her earlier, and they both were armed, just in case. Instead, as they approached Ash's home nearby, he directed the conversation back to the reception. [color=steelblue]"Funny you should stress the "we", ma'am. I had planned to give them one of the few remaining bottles of my family's label. Then one of the scavenging parties for the wedding found something interesting in a bridal shop."[/color] They entered the Captain's dwelling, Ash locking the door behind him. He made his way to the refrigerator, and removed a bottle wrapped inside of an old brown paper bag. [color=steelblue]"Brother Perignon was a priest. Fellow bottler, too."[/color] he offered Thana the bottle. [color=steelblue]"That's what [i]you[/i] are giving them. I've been hanging onto a bottle of Blue Label for a while. That's what [i]I'm[/i] giving them. Didn't bother to wrap."[/color]

	Thana's brow rose slightly as he explained that they wouldn't be giving a joint present. Not that it mattered to her, she had just arrived so it was most likely not expected that she even bring a gift. The fact she was attending at all was probably shocking enough considering the circumstances. But he had said [i]we[/i], so a little goading was needed in her mind. [color=0072bc]"Well Captain, [i]you[/i] did say [i]'we got them a gift'[/i] earlier,"[/color] she quipped as she reached out and took the bottle from Ash, a slyness to her tone. Letting out a feigned sigh she shrugged as she looked it over. [color=0072bc]"But if this is the [i]best[/i] that there is, I [i]suppose[/i] it will do for them to swill,"[/color] she said coyly, giving a single half chuckle. 

	If Ash was a less astute officer, he might not have picked up the M*A*S*H reference. [color=steelblue]"One does not [i]swill[/i] Dom. Ma'am, I have sipped, lapped, and taken Dom intravenously, but I have never [i]swilled[/i] Dom."[/color] It was difficult to tell if he was being serious, unless one were a fan of the old series. 

	[color=0072bc]"Hawkeye must be yer spirit animal."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Yeah. I was just going to go with the champagne and slap a nametag from both of us on it. Then I thought that was pretty transparent. Unless you want to do that and hang onto the Blue, I'm good either way."[/color] he paused for a second, considering the words. Ok, that made sense. [color=steelblue]"Otherwise they'll just have to make due with this ...particularly excellent bottle of Dom. Hell, I'm half tempted to skip the party."[/color] Ash shook his head. [color=steelblue]"But I did promise you introductions. Ready?"[/color] 

	[color=0072bc]"As ready as I'll ever be Captain, but between you and me and the wallpaper... I'd rather just sit in front of a fire and have a drink than head to the shindig but well.... Manners,"[/color] she said as she adjusted her coat and stepped towards the door. Stopping she had a thought, she turned around and looked over to him. [color=0072bc]"Actually, before we go..."[/color] she started before giving a small wave of her hand as she dismissed the passing thought. [color=0072bc]"Nevermind, it'll keep until later. We'd better hurry before we give them something to to gossip about by being late."[/color] 

	Ash nodded. [color=steelblue]"I know how you feel. That ceremony was probably the most social thing I've done in years. But I have to make an appearance. We can cut it short, if you like. Figure out your arrangements for the night and get you settled in after."[/color] Gathering his bottle, Ash moved to the door and opened it for Thana. He waved her through, mentioning, [color=steelblue]"I never gave much thought to gossip about me. At least, not when I'm the guy in charge."[/color] Despite the fact that he ever really [i]wanted[/i] to be the guy in charge, there he was. [color=steelblue]"You sure you're up for this tonight?"[/color] he asked, in reference to the sentence she didn't quite finish. [color=steelblue]"I can always grab a plate and slice of cake to bring back, and we can do introductions tomorrow, if you're more comfortable calling it early."[/color] 

	Stepping through the door she turned around and looked over to Ash, biting her bottom lip slightly before shaking her head. [color=0072bc]"Like with any place, people gossip Captain. Especially about the man in charge."[/color]	Her voice was quick with a knowing look on her features. It was more than common that everyone gossiped about the Base Commander, underlings talking about the higher ups was a long standing past-time, especially in the military. From the looks she had gotten when she arrived at the wedding, she would have been surprised if the rumor mill was already spinning. [color=0072bc]"And sweet Jesus... Bringing me back a slice of cake?"[/color] she added before leaning in to make sure anyone passing them wouldn't hear. [color=0072bc]"One of the most common wedding traditions is to sleep with a piece of wedding cake under your pillow to dream about your future spouse."[/color] Leaning back she rose her brows and nodded to confirm her own words. [color=0072bc]"Let's not throw moonshine on the fire."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Uh huh."[/color] For all Ash knew, his guest had the distinct impression that he was being suggestive instead of polite. [color=steelblue]"I'm from Virginia. Ruining a pillowcase with perfectly good cake must be a Georgia thing."[/color] Admittedly, he'd never heard of that custom. Though it wouldn't be the first time his fairly secluded upbringing led to a misunderstanding. Like when a British officer offered him a "fag" that almost led to a fistfight before he realized the man wasn't trying to provoke him. He shook off potential embarrassment of the situation with Thana and offered her his arm again. [color=steelblue]"But you're right. The only place we should throw 'shine is in our gut. Come on, let's go meet the newlyweds."[/color] 

	Thana smirked a bit as she slipped her arm back through his, this seemed to be an ongoing thing for the evening. [color=0072bc]"Nope, it's British I believe,"[/color] she said. [color=0072bc]"Though I could be wrong."[/color] Shrugging she kept up with him as they headed over to the reception site from his place. She wondered if there was a library in the town, wasn't like she could log onto the net to research it. There was no google or imdb... Mores the pity, made remembering who the hell was in what so much easier. Granted, there weren't many movie dates anymore. 

	They started walking across the street and into the parking lot of the Armory. It was a funny feeling for Ash. He was dressed in a decent suit with a long, wool blend coat that he was really starting to like, a charmingly sarcastic woman he'd just met that day holding his arm, and they were going to a wedding reception carrying gifts. It almost made it seem like the last four years never happened. Maybe they could all lie to themselves for a few more hours. The distraction was necessary from time to time, as was the anticipation of similar distractions in the future. Ash was willing to put one foot into the fantasy, so long as he could also keep one grounded in reality. Grim, horrifying reality. [color=steelblue]"Just across this lot, next building over."[/color] 

	[color=steelblue]"Hey, thanks for keeping me company. I don't do large social gatherings very well."[/color] 

	Thana placed her free hand lightly over their intertwined arms and gave a gentle reassuring squeeze while they walked. [color=0072bc]"Captain, you're very welcome,"[/color] she said in a kind voice as a smile graced her lips for a short time. She was enjoying his company, it was as simple as that. 

	Ash gave a quick glance down to where Thana was holding his arm, and against his better judgement, gave the smallest of smiles, himself. It had been over a year since anyone had made personal, physical contact with him in a manner that was not a formal greeting. It felt out of place, like he didn't deserve it or it was meant for someone else. It took him a second to remember that this is how normal people acted. In turn, that made him wonder exactly how far away from humanity he had stepped lately. It was troubling, but he might just owe the lady on his arm for that reminder. [color=steelblue]"I appreciate that, Thana. Really do."[/color] 

	Two minutes later, Thana and Ash found themselves stepping into Newnan's Recreational Center, all set up for the Prom, so to speak. He paused just inside the doors to have a quick look around at the guests already present. He noticed an off-duty Security officer already mingling with the crowd gathering and waved him over. When he arrived, Ash handed him a slip of paper, bidding him to deliver it to Jim at the makeshift bar. [color=steelblue]"List of alcohol restrictions; drink maximums and prohibitions. If he has any questions, have him send for me."[/color] 

	[color=steelblue]"Now, where's the happy couple?"[/color]