[hr][hr][center][h1][color=firebrick]Black James(!)[/color][/h1]
[img]https://v.cdn.vine.co/r/avatars/6AE78329E91063505631975227392_pic-r-1396533712688c4afde8ecf.jpg.jpg?versionId=ZnGOSit0zozlhxpJk0w6QVx4cSozVRdq[/img][/center]
[hr][center][b][color=firebrick]Location:[/color][/b] Building [b]7[/b] (Rec Center)[/center][hr][hr]

	Rather than deal with two plates full of yummy food, James opted to unceremoniously deposit the contents of Sana's plate onto his. While not truly ambidextrous, he was able to manage the lift-and-splat with his left hand while simultaneously forkshoveling his original plate's contents into his face with wild abandon, even as Sally described the supposed mystical, psyche altering qualities of the Martin women. James knew about Martin women. He was friends with the family since before the the world turned itself inside out. Was aware of at least three of themGranted, it had been a very long while since he'd seen Thana. She had a rocky background. For all he knew, [i]Ash[/i] might be the one that brought out something positive in [i]her[/i]. 

	 [color=firebrick]"I dunno, Miss Sally. I been tight with the Cap'n for a while now, an' I knew Thana from a ways before. That girl's mama made some of the best damned fried chicken on the [i]planet[/i], and it ain't 'cause I'm black, neither. Woman'd make a mess o' yard bird that'd get a PETA lawyer to make the hard choice."[/color] 

	Oh, James was packing back the good stuff, bite by glorious, sloppy bite. He did so around putting his two cents in with Sally. It made conversation interesting, but at least he had the good sense to use a napkin and not just wipe his mouth and hands on the tablecloth. But he did want to, a little. He was about to speak on the subject of Thana a little bit more when Newnan's Security Lead (and the happy Groom of the evening) sauntered up carrying much more than should have been thrust upon him. 

	[color=firebrick]"Well hells yeah there, Mr. Jack. This's all 'bout you and the missus - you can sit wherever you want to, with whoever you want to. 'Specially if you got that good liquor, Chief."[/color] James raised one eyebrow and assumed a coy expression in the manner of a man waxing humorous, though he did get an eyeful of the stark blue label on one of the bottles. He quickly changed the subject before he became too utterly transparent. [color=firebrick]"C'mon then, you and Tatiana both. Join us, join us. We was just talking 'bout the Captain and his [i]guest[/i]. Me and Miss Sally got different minds about it. Before you hear from me or her, what's your take on them two?"[/color] 

[hr][hr][center][h1][b][i][color=steelblue]Ash[/color] & [color=0072bc]Thana[/color][/i][/b][/h1][img]https://media.giphy.com/media/C1PwffdEpkd8I/giphy.gif[/img][hr][b]Location:[/b] Building [b]A[/b] (Ash's House) [/center][hr]

	The crackle of the fire seemed to be drowned out by the heavy throbbing sound of Thana's heart as she felt his lips ease closer to hers. The gentle tickle sending a spark through her body, her fingers slipping and curling into his short hair. Another's hairs breath and things could, would get complicated. A single word meant the line was no longer there, but it was already so very blurred. Did she dare to do this? It could end up being a perfect storm. Yet the sailor in her craved the unpredictably of the sea. Through quickened breaths her tongue flicked passed her lips, moistening them and taking the barest taste of his own. She could feel his hands trembling, or was that her own body? It seemed odd, this was not the awkward first chance meeting, this felt more like finding something she had lost so long ago. 

	[color=0072bc]"Gr..."[/color] she started to try to say but felt the word catch on her staggering breath. Swallowing the dry lump in her throat there was the barest of nods as she whispered hungrily against his lips. [color=0072bc]"Granted."[/color]

	Ash crossed the barest distance between them to settle his lips against hers. Thana found herself sharply inhaling as she felt the connection between them, her lips pulsing gently against his. He began slowly, merely savoring her touch, before passion took his senses. Thana was fire, she was electricity. The feel of her was as water in a burning desert, slaking his desire yet threatening to overwhelm and carry him away. Ash slid his calloused hand up to caress her cheek, even as the other found her lower back, pulling her against him. She could feel the warmth of his hand radiating through the dark fabric of her pajamas. Her soft curves molding against his strong frame. He sighed, fully enchanted with this woman and unwilling to do anything to save himself. He wanted to take in as much of her as he could in that moment; to let himself feel her heat and breathe her in, the smell of her hair and bliss of her hands upon him. If she intended to leave tomorrow, Ash would forever have [i]this[/i] to remember of Thana, the scent and feel and taste of her. What began as an impassioned kiss quickly turned to yearning intensity. The more he had of her, the more he needed. 

	A gentle moan escaped Thana as she nipped at Ash's bottom lip, pulling it between her pearly teeth before letting it slip free. She could taste the peach elixir on his tongue mixing with the taste of him. It was divine: like chilled ambrosia on a hot summers day. Warm breaths washing between them as the beat of her heart pounded against her chest. It was nearly deafening. [i]Thump, thump[/i] against her breast as her fingers curled and her nails scratched the back of his neck lightly. The sensation of nails against flesh pushed Ash instinctively forward, not as an invitation but a nonverbal command to proceed. The line hadn't been crossed, it had been eradicated when their lips met. Pulling him closer as she leaned back her lips broke from his, trailing his skin; pressing her lips against the hinge of his jaw. [i]Thump, thump[/i], there it went again in her ears. Thana's eyes drifting open and peering off towards the fire; seeing their intertwined shadow against the curtains. [i]Thump, thump.[/i] A soft vibration coming from her lips, that wasn't just her heart beating, it was something more. Against his skin her voice groaned, [color=0072bc]"door..."[/color]

	Ash didn't understand exactly what Thana meant by "door". He was lost in the moment of [i]her[/i], drunk from her affections and reeling from every brush of her hands. While he didn't know what "door" was, Ash was willing to do just about anything for her just then, no matter how vanilla or International Womens' Day it might be, just to keep their moment going. Then he heard it, too. [i]Thump, thump.[/i] Of course. Door. 

	[color=steelblue]"...damnit..."[/color] he growled. This was not happening. Just not happening. [color=steelblue]"No, hold on. Hold on. I'm sorry. This could be important."[/color] Whatever the reason for the disturbance, it had better be something of [i]profound[/i], community-spanning concern, or someone would answer for it. [color=steelblue]"I'm so sorry. I have to make sure everything's ok. Apocalypse and stuff."[/color] 

	Thana leaned back, her eyes drifting open as she let out a rough breath. She didn't want him to go but she understood. Nodding slightly she placed soft lingering kisses to his lips. [color=0072bc]"I know,"[/color] she whispered between the impassioned pecks before her lips peeled from his. 

	Under the weight of [i]extreme[/i] reluctance, Ash rose and quickly buckled on his utility belt. Thana's hands slipping from around him and leaning back on the couch, watching him closely as her eyes flickered. If there was an emergency, he wanted to be armed. If there wasn't an emergency, he still wanted to be armed, but for a vastly different reason. [color=steelblue]"Please don't go far. I should be right back."[/color] 

	[color=0072bc]"I won't."[/color] Thana ran her hand through her hair as she tucked her feet beneath her and waited. Swallowing slightly she rolled her lips in, she could still taste his kiss on them. It was not how she expected the day to do but she wasn't going to complain. It was a hell of a lot better way to spend the evening than to be trudging out in the snow right then trying to find a place to hunker down for the evening; a much better way. 

	Glancing back once more at the unparalleled woman on his couch, he stood entranced at the way the firelight played across her face. But just for a second more. The interrupting drum beat of [i]Thump, thump[/i] broke his hungered concentration. He quickly exited the side room and jogged the short way to his front door. Peering through the peephole, he recognized exactly who this was. It was Bryn's security escort. Ash tried as best he could to shove down the growing, nigh homicidal annoyance that threatened to come pouring out of him. It was funny, a man in control of his emotions as proficiently as Ash, once guard is lowered, it became difficult to put those psychological safeguards back in place. And so the fate of the lone Security Agent stood in precarious balance as the irritated Captain opened the door about halfway. 

	[color=steelblue]"Yes?"[/color] His voice was grim. 

	"Reporting as ordered, sir. Bryn has been safely and successfully escorted back to her house, per request."

	[color=steelblue]"Is there a reason why you didn't radio this in, soldier?"[/color] he asked through clenched teeth.

	Despite holding an assault rifle, the man looked positively defenseless. "Sorry Captain, didn't want everyone to know," the man stuttered slightly. 

	Thana leaned forward and stood up, slowly stepping over towards the archway to the hall. She heard Ash's voice and her lips pursed thinking back to what he had said earlier. [color=steelblue][i]"I'm not broken yet."[/i][/color] Looking down she pushed her hair back and tucked it behind her ears. He wasn't broken, [i]yet.[/i] Thing was though, if they kept going, would he end up broken? It was just a night and with someone else it wouldn't have crossed her mind yet with Ash, it was different. He seemed to be opening up for the first time in a very long time. Did she really want to push things and take advantage of that? Leaning against the archway she sighed; this was not a good thought to have on her mind right then. [color=0072bc]"...shit..."[/color]  

	Back at the front door, Ash's stern look began to fade. His tensed shoulders dropped, and he addressed the younger man with a much calmer voice. [color=steelblue]"Yeah. Good thinking, soldier."[/color] He had to admit, it was a good idea to utilize discretion in this instance. And Ash's ill mood at the interruption was motivated purely from a selfish standpoint. [color=steelblue]"Look, I'm being an asshole. Thank you. Get back to the party and have yourself a good time as soon as you're off shift. You deserve it."[/color] In Ash's mind, they all deserved it. Hell, maybe even he did, too. 

	He bid the man a good evening and slowly began to close the door, looking back down the hallway to the room he had just left. The firelight cast dancing shadow on the wall beyond the archway. Within that room was the first woman he had let himself get close to in a year. This was not some person of convenience, either. No lady with whom he held shallow interests in common and the possession of compatible anatomy. She was right down the hall, and he had to get back to her. 

	Resting her head back against the arc-frame Thana let out a deep calming breath. Things seemed to be alright as far as the town was concerned; which was good. She had told Ash he needed time off, leave from the responsibility if only for a short time. To live instead of just surviving. How bad would have that backfired if as soon as he let his guard down something horrific happened that he could have blamed on himself? Glancing over at the couch she wondered if she should go sit back down but thought better of it. It could appear that she had been trying to hide something and she wasn't. Sure she had wanted to hear what was going on, just in case, but it wasn't like she was being secretive about it.  

	He locked and barred his front door, and calmly walked back to the sitting room. The flames from the fire did an excellent job providing light and warmth in this room, but it held no interest to him while the vision that was Thana was standing right there. Gently, he reached out his hand to caress her cheek, saying nothing, merely gazing at her as if committing her face to memory. 

	Looking over towards Ash she watched him closely, wondering if he was having second thoughts on the matter now that they had been disturbed. Feeling his hand on her cheek told her otherwise. The corner of her mouth pulled into an alluring grin as she leaned into his touch. A single brow rising slightly as he stood there watching her. [color=0072bc]"Cup of coffee for your thoughts."[/color] Reaching out, she rested her hand on his chest, pulling at the fabric of his shirt to draw him closer. She had to be losing her mind to keep this up, or maybe she needed the reprieve as much as he did. 

	[color=steelblue]"Cup of coffee?"[/color] he responded in a faux smug voice, stepping slowly to Thana as she leashed him closer. He kept one hand on her cheek, but slipped his free hand behind her back. [color=steelblue]"My thoughts..."[/color] Ash nodded slowly, his solemn eyes betrayed by a small smile. [color=steelblue]"I think, Thana, that I'm going to heed your advice. Unless we come under attack, I'm taking the night off."[/color] He leaned in, voice trailing to a whisper, [color=steelblue]"Haven't taken personal time in a while. I'll need help figuring out just what to do with myself."[/color] Ash very gingerly kissed the side of her neck. [color=steelblue]"I'm open to suggestions."[/color] 

	Thana couldn't help but let a coy smirk come to her lips when he spoke in that voice about the coffee, half tempted to call him a meat tosser but refraining from doing so. She was more focused on other things, like his hand slipped around to her the arc of her back. Her fingers fanning out over his chest as they traveled up and hooked over his shoulder while he spoke. Her brow lifting as she felt his lips to her skin, a shiver running down her spine as her breath caught. Her eyes drifting around the room and watching the shadows being cast on the walls as she thought, several ideas running through her mind but she was still torn if perhaps things were moving too fast.

	[color=0072bc]"I have a few ideas,"[/color] she whispered against his ear. Slowly she stepped around him and wandered back into the sitting room, her fingers running over the tops of a row of books on the mantle. Pulling one that looked to be rather old, perhaps older than the house they stood in. She flipped through it, eventually letting it settle on the inner cover as she read to herself. [i]Millicent Wyndham, 1823, [/i] was inscribed in a flourished faded script. Turning she let the book snap close and looked over towards Ash as her fingers caressed the worn cover. [color=0072bc]"We could read, that if unless you have something else on yer mind."[/color]

	Admittedly, Ash was a great fan of reading. His house was a virtually untouched historical building, restored within the past few years before the Outbreak. It was filled with interesting conversations pieces and a mountain of books. Sadly, the ordinarily grim man hadn't been blessed with an abundance of free time to peruse more than a few of his recovered tomes, though some of that was his fault. Given that he had just announced his intention to spend the remainder of the night away from official duties, technically he had a little time to do just that. Be that as it may, looking from Thana and the book in her hand, there was no contest. 

	Little decisions that she made, however - choice of words, putting distance between them, general coy behavior - led Ash to believe that she was having second thoughts about their almost-tryst. He didn't want Thana to feel uncomfortable nor obligated in any way. It just wasn't how he handled things, and as a touch of irony, one of the reasons why he usually kept his professional and personal lives walled away from each other. Ash certainly called it earlier when he realized that this would lead to complications. He also called it that he didn't care. Perhaps she did; if that was the case he would have to put his feelings aside, and immediately. Ash walked slowly over to Thana, trailing his hand down her arm to the book that she held. He gently took it from her and placed it back on the shelf. Cupping her hand in both of his, Ash gazed into her liquid, expressive eyes, and spoke in a soft but serious voice: 

	[color=steelblue]"I'm going to be very blunt, Thana. I have something else on my mind. I'd be dead or a damned fool not to. You are the most gorgeous woman to set foot inside of this dwelling in a very long time, and am undeniably attracted to you. But I don't want you to feel pressured to do anything you have the slightest reservation about doing."[/color] Ash paused for a second, fairly sure that he was in the middle of messing up a good thing. At the same time, he was supposed to be one of the good guys, damnit, whatever that meant anymore. It was more important these days to be a person of principle, he figured. This subject was rather touchy, and he was going to be sure he was on the right side of it, come what may. [color=steelblue]"I like you, Thana. What's more, I respect the [i]hell[/i] out of you. No matter what, you will have my protection and hospitality, however much or little of it you want, for as long as you want it. Remember that. [i]No matter how this evening proceeds[/i]."[/color] Another second to let his words sink in; another second to mentally kick himself. [color=steelblue]"If you're having second thoughts, I get it. It's your right to. I will personally set your billet and take a very, very, very cold shower. Just understand that what's on my mind involves carrying you upstairs and picking up where we left off three minutes ago."[/color] 

	Thana's brow rose slightly as he spoke, her fingers lightly moving in the palm of his hands as he stood there. Her eyes following his as he talked, watching him carefully as each word left his mouth. Was that what he thought? That she just didn't want to take thing further? That she some how felt obligated? She stood there in silence for a long moment as her eyes locked with his, her expression could have been taken for confusion or even offense for a moment before her lips rolled in and she looked down abruptly. Her foot stomping into the ground as her hand left his and came to cover her features. A sound like a whimper came from her, was she crying? Her heel slammed against the floor again as she spun away from him. Her hand reaching up and resting on the mantle as she shook, another odd sound coming from her. Was she weeping? 

	[color=steelblue][i]"Shit."[/i][/color] came to Ash's thoughts reflexively. [color=steelblue][i]"Shit, shit, shit, and shit. Shit.[/i][/color] Not the voice that spoke within his cranium unbidden, but his own, clear sense of urgency, chastising himself for handling this situation in the manner in which he did. It seemed that Ash had taken a simple situation and, by means of his usual... [i]Ashness[/i], screwed it up. He reached a hand out to her as if to place it on her shoulder, comforting. But that probably wasn't what she needed right then, not from him. His mouth opened, ready to give a tentative apology. No words came out, though. Every choice of phrase seemed hollow. 

	Then it burst from her as she leaned over and gripped tighter on the old wooden frame of the fire place; a long laughter broke from her lips as she couldn't hold it in any longer. Her face turning, catching in the light of the flames. Her eyes were alit with mirth as she couldn't control the pure and unadulterated guffaw, her lips split her face into pure delight as her hand reached out and rested on his chest, using him and the fireplace for leverage to keep from toppling over. Slowly she fell against him, still laughing as if it was the last time she may ever be allowed to. Though the laughter she tried to speak. [color=0072bc]"Oh god, I needed that..."[/color] she chortled as her forehead rested against his chest and her arms slipped around his shoulders. Shaking it off, she tried to come back to seriousness but it was evident she was chewing the inside of her mouth to keep from bursting out again. [color=0072bc]"The only thing I was worried 'bout was I didn't want to break ya if I left in the mornin'."[/color]

	[color=steelblue]"Oh my GOD."[/color] Ash's voice was surprise and relief. So he wasn't the biggest asshole in Newnan, just the most gullible. That, he could almost live with. [color=steelblue]"I'm not going to lie to you, I don't want you to leave. If you decide to go in the morning, a little piece of me will go with you. I'll miss you. But that's me being selfish. I'll be fine. A little depressed, but fine."[/color] His smile broadened. [color=steelblue]"That means I'm going to have to try as hard as I can to convince you. Maybe three or four times before morning."[/color] 

	Slowly Thana's smile faded as her head came up and she gazed up at him. He seemed to be full of surprises. When she arrived he was so shut off, so stand offish; refusing to let himself smile and this evening he opened up and let himself enjoy the moments as they came. Once again he was saying that he didn't want her to leave yet this time it seemed different. It wasn't he wanted her there for her knowledge, or as another strength in numbers. Right then it seemed as if he wanted her to stay just because he wanted her there. Her fingers caressed the back of his neck and she nodded in simple understanding. [color=0072bc]"That's not bein' selfish. That's just wantin' somethin' for yerself for once. There is nothing wrong with that,"[/color] she said gently as a small smile returned to her features, soft and reassuring. 

	She still worried though. Breaking her gaze from his she slowly pulled her arms away and stepped back. Things were already getting complicated and if she left in the morning just what would that do? Worse yet, what if she stayed and something more happened? Swallowing slightly she stepped away from him as she rested her hands on her hips. Walking back over towards the arc way to the hall she glanced at the steps and upstairs. [color=0072bc]"Tomorrow is going to be a long day, no matter what happens. It is probably best to go to bed."[/color]

	One could practically hear Ash's crest fall. Thana was correct, it would indeed be a long day. He told himself that this would have been a mistake anyway, though he really didn't believe it. He had a truly pleasant evening in the company of this woman. That should be more than enough for him. And today was a day of celebration. Not to mention that Thana had a lot thrown at her all at once, it was probably cumbersome for her. Ash nodded, cleared his throat and addressed her respectfully. [color=steelblue]"Understood. Tomorrow does promise to be busy; I should probably get some sleep, too. The upstairs bedroom is going to be more comfortable than anywhere else. Please make yourself at home. I'll take the study."[/color]