A blush covered Olivia's cheeks and her eyes shown with a happy light under Shawn's praise. She still couldn't quite get over the fact that a guy like Shawn liked [i]her[/i]. "Thank you," she said, giving him a smile. There wasn't much left to do with supper, but since Shawn wanted to help she let him. When Shawn pulled out the solar panel and radios Olivia felt a rush of excitement and affection. "Aw, thank you, Shawn," she chirruped happily. "That would be really nice, being able to keep in touch over the radio and going on a run together. I'd say maybe the day after tomorrow we could go? You worried yourself to death over me the past two days so you should at least get tomorrow to rest." They fixed their bowls and sat down at Olivia's small table. Overall there wasn't much room in her boat. It was apparent that it had been made more for a day trip than an overnight trip. Olivia felt she might have to find something a bit bigger so she could have more room whenever Shawn came over. That and maybe have a better sleeping space and more storage space for food and supplies. At this very moment though, Olivia tried not to worry too much about the lack of space and instead focused on Shawn. He was smiling at her and she couldn't help but smile back. His grin was simply contagious. Olivia had done well living on her own for three years, but she honestly had to say she felt happiest now being here with Shawn.

She was glad he enjoyed the stew. Olivia herself was glad he had brought the tea over since she had little to drink. She sipped it slowly, savoring its sweet flavor, both hands holding to cup to warm them up with its heat. When he asked how he should treat her she smiled into her cup before setting it down. Shawn really was a sweetheart--bringing her gifts, making sure she didn't feel uncomfortable and telling her to take her time. Setting her cup down Olivia reached across the table and took one of Shawn's hands in both her own. She gently rubbed her thumbs in circles over his skin as she looked at him with a warmth in her eyes, an unbounded appreciation in her heart. "I think you've treated this girl just fine so far," she told him gently. "You're just as sweet as all get-out, Shawn. I don't think I could ever ask for more. I'd like to know more about you as well, and I also want you to tell me if you're ever uncomfortable with something. I don't think I could stand to upset you and make you worry again like I did these past few days."

Taking a deep breath Olivia started, "Before the infection is was just normal life: Me going to school, my mom working hard to support the two of us, Mr. Byrd looking after me when she was busy. After I lost them I was simply on my own. For a long time I heeded Mr. Byrd's words--avoiding people 'n keeping to myself. He knew. He knew what people are capable of. What they can become in the worst disasters. I knew too kinda. After Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast it was crazy all over. You saw who had it in them to still be kind and give of themselves to others even when they had nothing. You saw the rest of the country coming together to aid us--people from thousands of miles away driving down there to bring food and clothes, rebuild houses and businesses, help clean the rubble and console those who had lost so much. I remember a lot of it. One guy in our neighborhood using his generator to give all of us water, FEMA and Red Cross trucks coming through our neighborhood to bring food, when the stop lights weren't working and everyone was being really careful and courteous. But there was bad stuff too, bad people. 'N I remember that too. Looting, people getting shot just for a bag of ice, rape..." Her voice was quiet, subdued, the light in her eyes dull. "It was really bad in New Orleans. But none of it compared to some of the things that happened after the infection. Mr. Byrd had a better idea of what was going to happen. He was a Navy veteran who had served in two wars. He saw hell with his own eyes, and he knew it was hell that was coming. That's why he told me to keep to myself, to trust my gut and only approach others when I was absolutely positive it was safe to do so."

"There was one time, early on, when I had approached a group to trade. They had some extra gas and I had fresh meat--none of 'em were good at hunting so they were in dire need of it. Most of 'em were nice, but there were a few... Not so much. They weren't good at tracking deer, but they weren't bad at tracking people. They found me, and let's just say that what their intents were as they approached me were less than pleasant. Too bad for them I knew how ta fight better." She had stopped rubbing her thumbs over Shawn's skin. Instead Olivia stared at her hands, a hard look in her eyes as she recalled what she had had to do with those hands on that dark, moonless night ages ago. Then her expression cleared and she looked back up at her sweet country boy whom she knew would never purposefully harm her. She might have to worry about others, but never about Shawn. Managing to give him a smile once more she continued, "Anyway, I continued my travels and wound up here with you. Gotta say that the first night you 'bout damn near made me jump out of my skin when you approached. I was worried I might have to fight you, or else run. After you left I still considered running, but decided against it. If I think about it I guess it mighta been the way you talked that kept me from disappearin' that first night. Not many people nowadays try to be kind or polite to each other--they seem to think it's unnecessary or maybe that it makes 'em weak or something--but you were still nice as could be. It's gotta be that manners are just a way of life for the South. Anyway, what about you, cowboy? What's your story if you don't mind sharing?"