IC: This is how the world ends

[IXIHawkeyeIXI]

The car that Malcolm had stolen had finally kicked out and run out of gas. Without any gas stations running, it wasn't possible for him to get it going again, so he simply abandoned it somewhere in the middle of Kansas. He assumed he was in Kansas at least by all the open fields and corn around him. Pausing for a moment as he watched a wind gust flow over a wheat field, he smiled. It was a smile that had not graced his face since the plague first hit. With a sight so beautiful in front of him, everything bad seemed to fade for a moment. The sun was beginning to rise in the east (which was the direction he continued to head) and falling gently over the field. The day before, Malcolm had ransacked a store, finding himself some new clothes and a razor. He hadn't shaved in days, so it felt good to do so. With a brand new hiking backpack on his back, he continued to walk, a renewed sense of optimism visible in his step were anyone watching. He was not going to let himself die out here alone - he had not survived the plague simply to die like that, he knew that.

 

[bigladypleaser]

steve's heart was racing! her was rivy, nude in front of him without the least bit of concern. he was so torn between the excitement of being so close to a naked woman and the fear of doing something to make her afraid of him. he could see her body, but not read her body language. as he scurried about and found her discarded clothes, he had a chance to study her naked body from several angles. by the time he had rounded up the clothing, he was fully erect and wanted so much to be with her right then. how could she be so casual about this? perhaps this was simply an artifact of her former life and nudity was no big deal. to him, a woman only took off her clothing when he paid her for sex. as difficult as it was, he decided that he would say or do nothing untill he was more sure of her intentions. he was surely going to have to relieve himself soon, though if nothing happened between them.

taking her arm after she wrapped herself with the towel, he guided her back to thier camp. he decided that they needed a better breakfast than he had availible. another trip to the food truck was in order. then he rushed over to the truck and found packages of fruit and cans of juice. digging a little deeper, he found bread mix and dried milk. "rivy, if not for you, me and lucky would be living on mre's" he thought. 'what effect a woman has on you." by the time he heard rivy calling, he was well on the way to make shift versions of pancakes with fruit topping and juice.

they chatted over his thrown together breakfast while lucky chowed down on the mre entrees. they spoke of heading on and once breakfast was over, steve made one more raid on the food truck, taking meat and various veggies. they figured three days travel and he stocked up accordingly.

pilling the hummer full, he took time to administer to her now well healing wounds. her eyes were still clearing, so he hoped she would once again see.
as he put away the first aid kit, rivy found her way into the front seat without his help. he sighed, he had been looking forward to picking her up and holding her close before they started out. plopping the pup into her lap, he loaded himself up.

"off to see the wizard, gang. he said as he put the hummer in gear. "westward ho!"

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy giggled at his departing coment, holding Lucky securely in arms as they took off down the road. Her and Lucky played with one another, his sloppy kisses making her laugh more and more. As the ride got underway, Lucky grew more tired, and bouced out of her lap to plop down in the back to rest up.

With no Lucky to entertain Rivy was now a bit nervous. Fidgety if nothing else.

She knew her eyes were getting better, with the pain gone from trying to open them, still her vision was blurred but at the very least she could tell wether it was dark or light out. Currently being light... No matter she wouldn't force her vision it would heal on its own. Perhaps the incident causing her lost vision was only temporary, and with Steve's help in caring for her, it would heal. She hoped so, while it didn't matter that much she wanted to lay eyes on her protector to thank him sincerely for his help.

"You think we'll get there soon?" she finally spoke up. The silence between them was stiffling and she wanted company any kind, bad. Licking her lips she suddenly had the earge to taste his lips again. A mixture of booze which she hadn't smelt on him in a while, and something else more toxicating had mingled in the kiss earlier this morning. It was short lived and dearly missed, maybe she'd sneak to take another tonight or the next morning. She just couldn't bring herself to be so straight forward and bold like that with him in aware attendance.

 

[bigladypleaser]

steve had his hands full driving that day. it would seem that they were just starting to make good time along the road when they would come upon another series of wrecks or just cars stopped, blocking the road. the hummer made easy work of going around in most cases, but it kept them from making good time and meant he had to be constantly vigilant as they went on.

"i don't think we can get there today at the rate we're going. looks like you're going to be stuck with me alone for at least one more night." one more night. one last chance at being marooned on an island with a woman. his woman. was she his woman? steve had turned the rear view mirror so he was looking at her instead of the road. no worry of being overtaken and he enjoyed looking at rivy.

"finders, keepers." he thought, "that made her his in one respect. besides, didn't she owe him something for taking her in?" owed him what? sex? is that what it was all about? the two episodes of seeing her naked had certainly gotten him interested in her. he was torn between just wanting her body and the feeling of wanting her close, as a companion, a friend, not just a lover.

there was still the option of driving around till she gave in to him. he didn't like the way that felt as it went through his mind. he had never had problems taaking from people before, but they had always had their own interests. this time, rivy hadn't offered him anything except the opportunity to help someone weaker than him. it felt good and he was enjoying his role. so maybe the tables wwere reversed. maybe he was the one who owed her. the only way to pay that debt was to be honest with her.

then one more night alone was all he had.

they eased along, stopping from time to time to let lucky do his thing. they snacked along the way and steve would talk to rivy about whatever there was to see whereever they happened to be. he tried to stay very close to her, tried to work up nerve to just take her in his arms, but always hesitated at the last moment. as evening approached, it was time to stop for the night.
finding another rest stop so they would have water, steve parked the hummer. he hurried to get out so he could open the rear door for rivy. he was desperate to get close to her.

offering his hand, he helped her out of the hummer and made it a point to stand where she would be right in front of him as she got out. before she could move, he wrapped his arms around her and without warning,made a clumsy attempt to kiss her.

 

[Eiselmann]

Adam and Lauren, Weatherford Oklahoma

Adam's mind was going in several directions. As Lauren walked thru the house he couldn't help but continued to admire her body, the memory of the fucking so very fresh and he couldn't help but wonder when he would enter her again, his erection still obvious down the side of his thigh.

As for the house, well it seemed to meet approval or at least she wasn't running outside screaming and that was a good thing thou surely she understood that ultimately they would have to move on, move to a farm it ws the only way whether they were it and responsible for the continuation of the species or as Adam hoped and was more encouraged to beleive since her arrival, that they were amongst others.

As Lauren began looking in the kitchen that Adam spoke for the first time in a while "Who ever lived here must have been planning on being away for a fair bit , they got rid of all the food that would spoil," Adam looked down at his shoes, what horrors had she seen? Probably the same as the ones he had seen "There are a couple of houses down the road that weren't so pleasent" he paused wondering if he had broken the spell of normality.

At any other time they could just as easily have been a married couple looking at a new house the last few mnutes had been so normal.

"The food warehouses I found untouched have a lot of dried goods so anything we need I'm sure we can get" he added with a smile. Trying not to hope that they could fuck sooner rather than later, survival was more than that connection, but that connection was still a needed part of what was to come.

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Blinking Rivy had no clue how to respond to a sudden and equally clumsy kiss like that. She'd not had a boyfriend worth her time and here was a complete stranger or lack there of, trying to kiss her.

Still she had always though he had the really soft lips. And with that thought alone she kissed him back correcting his motions into something more comfortable and pleasant. Reaching around his neck she pulled him closer lookings her balance just enough for them both to lean into the hummer.

But just as quickly as it started the kiss ended, as Rivy pushed gently against Steve turning her head with a bright blush on her cheeks. "Steve..." she cooed softly. "I don't think... we... please. I don't think this is right."

 

[bigladypleaser]

talk about your buzz-kill! steve couldn't have been more humiliated. for the briefest second, she had responded to his kiss, then in the blink of an eye, told him it wasn't right. he had always been unsure , but now, this. he helped rivy regain her balance, then yanked his hands away as if she were radioactive. red faced, he backed away.

"oh god, i'm so sorry! i, i just, well i wanted, i hoped, aw shit. look, i'm sorry. i need to gather wood for the fire."

he hurried away from her before she could say anything. "real slick move there, asswipe. you think just because you do a woman a couple of favors, she's going to just throw herself at you? "oh stevie, please take me", what an idiot." he thought. "at least she didn't laugh or even worse, start that "you're sweet, but" crap. you are pathetic."

he rummaged around in the edge of the woods, gathering wood for tonights fire. at least with her still unable to see, he could avoid eye contact with her when he went back. dumping the wood near the picnic table, he realized she was still standing at the hummer. "dumbass, like she knew where to go sit down. what else can you screwup before the sun goes down?"

he walked over to where she stood. "i didn't mean to leave you stranded here. i'm going to touch your arm to guide you, don't be afraid." he hesitantly reached out, touching her forearm and showed her the way to the table. he went back to the hummer and picked up lucky and carried him over to her. putting the dog down at her feet, careful not to make any contact, he said," i'll get dinner started in a few minutes. i need to hit the head right now, but i'll be back in a second.

he walked into the reststop building and went into the men's room. after relieving his bladder, he stood there a moment, remembering the incident. she had kissed him back. she put her arms around him and kissed him back. focusing on that and the memories of her naked were all it took to make him hard. he was alone, away from her and needed to feel a release. it was over in seconds. how often had he done just that while growing up. mamma's boy wanking in the dark all alone. yes, boy, you are truly pathetic.

walking out of the building, he noticed some daisies growing in an unkept flower bed. he pulled them and headed back to rivy and the pup.

"uh, rivy, i'm very sorry for what i did. i don't know why i tried to kiss you. well, no, that's not true. i do know why. we should make oklahoma tomorrow and this will be our last night alone and i wanted you to know i like being with you. i like taking care of you. i've never had a real girlfriend, much less a lover and i just didn't know what to do. i find you very attractive and i wanted a real kiss from you. it was wrong of me to try to force you like that. it won't happen again, i promise. here are some flowers i found. they're not much, but i wanted to give you a peace offering." he put the flowers in her hand.

"as soon as i get a fire going to keep you warm, i'll get started on dinner."

 

[brigid_fitch]

Lauren and Adam ~ Weatherford, OK

Nice kitchen, recently redone, it looked. Brand-new Sub-Zero refrigerator, double oven, granite countertops, Emeril & Rachael Ray cookbooks on the shelf. Someone was obviously a Food Network junkie. But where the hell did they keep the coffee? She moved from cabinet to cabinet, peeked in the pantry, but no coffee to be found anywhere.

"Who ever lived here must have been planning on being away for a fair bit , they got rid of all the food that would spoil"

Adam's explanation to her unspoken question broke her reverie. So, that's why the place didn't smell like death. The owners had apparently left before the Flu.

"What did they do, take the the friggin' coffee with them?" she asked, exasperated. She knew Adam was trying and she knew she was treating him like a dog again, but she couldn't help it. As much as she had truly enjoyed their little romp at the station, she couldn't deny she wanted more. And Adam wasn't doing a damn thing about it. Not bringing up her little "episode" was one thing, but she couldn't stand when people acted subservient around her. She may be superior to almost everyone she'd ever met, but if they at least showed a little backbone, she could grant them a modicum of respect.

Lauren tried to rationalize that she & Adam may be the only ones left and, since they were stuck together, she should get used to it. After all, he was good in bed (or at least an office chair...)--he deserved a little more patience. She looked at him and forced herself to smile at him, thankful that he'd finally stopped looking at his shoes like some 6-year-old kid who'd just hit a baseball through the garage window.

"The food warehouses I found untouched have a lot of dried goods so anything we need I'm sure we can get"

He was again talking about foodstuffs, and anger flared in her.

"Dammit, let me stop thinking about reality for one minute! There's only so much 'big picture' I feel like dealing with on a daily basis, okay?"

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy sighed she hadn't meant to make him uncomfortable, it just all happened so soon and she wasn't used to being kissed in fact that had been her first kiss ever. Blushing as he went away to relieve himself she fidgeted in her seat playing with Lucky but hardly paying attention.

When he returned she squeaked out of fear a little but was okay when Steve announced himself. The flowers smelled nice and it was a good gesture but she set them down on the table and got up to stand before him.

Caressing his cheeks she lay her head on his shoulder hugging him. "It was my first..." she said softly a little shy. "I never had time to date or be with a guy for that matter. When you kissed me I was happy, a little surprised but happy. Though I'm not sure if you know this but I stole a kiss from you this morning...and I've been wanting to steal more. So technically I stole my first kiss from you but still for you to want to kiss me, then I suppose this is my first kiss." Though she still didn't know about the kiss he stole from her in her sleep either. She lifted her gaze though she could not see a shy smile came to her face. "Please kiss me again. This time I'll be ready..."

 

[Eiselmann]

Adam looked at Lauren his eyes narrowed for a moment before resuming thier normally calm status.

She was under pressure so was he, all that had happened had been so far beyond reason that for Adam at least keeping busy kept the tears away. Seemingly Lauren dealt with this reality differently to himself.

"Okay " he said calmly nodding, then he closed the gap between them reaching behind her into the pantry he moved a bowl of sugar and took a hold of a unopen packet with no markings handing it to Lauren he smiled

"Its not the best coffee in the world but its good" his voice firmer than he had shown her before, she may not be able to deal with too much reality but for Adam, he needed to , he needed to know what came next "I picked up a couple of packets when I took the RV"

Adam looked at Lauren just inches away , she was a person who was used to getting her way , he'd seen that in her take charge attitude so how did she see him?, a younger man just a few years out of a high school tailing along behind her, trying to show her how wonderful a job he had done surviving.

Where as he was a person used to doing everything on his own. "Don't mistake my shyness for weakness Lauren, I am sorry I angered you, when you're ready we'll deal with more of the big picture" With that he showed a boldness encouraged by their recent fuck.

He kissed her on the cheek ,before walking out of the kitchen. He could have stayed maybe should have, maybe he should have tried to fuck again or just accept a cup of coffee and hope she would see his side of things , but something told him that it was best if she came to him.

He climbed the stairwell and took out some clean sheets from a cupboard, Lauren was right he wasn't expecting company , and their bed needed to be made.

That thought made him smile and worry, 'their' bed was a bit presumptive, but it was a sound bet that tomorrow morning they would wake up together. Unless of course walking away had been one hell of a mistake.

 

[bigladypleaser]

did he hear right? was it true? such sudden changes had his adreniline level maxed! his legs shook and his knees were weak as he moved in close to rivy. he took her hands in his and kissed the back of one then the other. "since we are confessing, i have to tell you i stole a kiss from you, too. so i guess we are starting out even."

he reached up with both hands and touched her cheeks with his fingers. as anxious as he was, he wasn't sure and wanted to try to do this right. using his hands, he turned her head ever so slightly to the right and slowly brought his lips to hers. soft and warm, and so inviting this time. how long did it last, he'd never remember. all time seemed to stop and his whole universe was centered in her lips. at some distant point, he eased away, their lips gently parting. he'd never known such a simple thing could feel so good!

every nerve in his body was tingling. his face felt flushed and he felt like he wanted to howl at the top of his lungs. was this what he had missed out on all of his life? his hands, still cradling her face, were shaking. he had to know if it had been a fluke, a happenstance.

"again?" he whispered to her. he felt her head barely move in his hands, but she nodded yes. slowly he once again brought his mouth to hers. this time, he let his hands slide off her cheeks and down over her shoulders and held her close. every sensation was new and each one was wonderful. their breathing syncronized and he felt an electric rush. for the first time in his life he felt as if he were in touch with another human.

as their lips parted this time, his whole body was shaking. "maybe we better sit down before i fall down," he said, his arm dropping down to rivy's waist and steering her toward the bench. he wondered if she felt the same way as he did?

such a simple thing, just a kiss. he had never realized the power it held. at that moment, he was king of the world!

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy giggled when he confessed stealing her first kiss and was a bit upset but in a mocking sort of way. Oh well, it was a cute idea to her. She couldn't get too upset for doing something she herself had done. A smile came to her lips as he kissed her. This time she was ready and easily found her center...

The kiss was so soft and warm, he didn't seem as nervous this time around but the excitement she felt was no different then the last time. Even when she'd stolen a simple kiss from him. The second time around, she couldn't help but hold her breath. Only nodding in response and letting him take her for another ride in this strange new world.

When he slowed the kiss and parted, she sat down with him. Her legs shaking, palms a bit sweaty from nervousness. The most obvious the blush on her cheeks as she hid herself in his shoulders hugging him. "Its almost like a dream. It makes me wonder under normal circumstances... would we have ever met?" Though she did have her apprehensions and before the magic burst or any illusions were generated she wanted to know.

"I just need to make sure that you this is happening. That you're not feeling the way you do out of obligation. I owe you nothing, neither do you toward me. So as far as other topics go... please understand that I'm not sure if that's the subject I want to explore just yet. I've had.... bad experiences." she remained burried in his shoulder not trusting herself to even grace him with her face. For it was too shameful a topic to talk about though she would try if he wanted answers for her hesitant approach.

 

[brigid_fitch]

Lauren and Adam ~ Weatherford, OK

Lauren stood looking at the bag of coffee in her hand, dumbfounded.

"What just happened here?" she asked the now-empty kitchen. Yes, she had been short-tempered and snapped at Adam because she was sick and tired of remembering the implications of their situation. Food depots, dry goods, cows--they were all reminders of the fact that they could very well be alone on the planet. She just wanted one moment of normalcy. Find the coffee, make a pot. A task, a goal--that was what she needed. Something to occupy her mind for a bit until she could figure out the situation between her and Adam. For instance, the big bed in the master bedroom looked inviting and he hadn't offered to move to another room. Was she supposed to share his bed or take up residency in one of the other rooms in the house? Of course she was operating on the assumption that she would be staying in this house--why else bring her here? But once she'd arrived, what was next? It was all a variable and Lauren didn't like variables.

When he had stepped towards her, he had been angry. Lauren felt a chill of momentary fear run through her as he approached and readied herself for a battle. He may be larger than she, but Lauren could defend herself if need be, and had been prepared to do it. But his anger had dissipated as quickly as it had appeared. And then he had kissed her, lightly, on the cheek. This had thrown her completely off-kilter and now she stood, shaking with frustration, trying to reassess what had happened. She had been spoiling for a fight, whether verbal or physical, and he had just non-chalantly kissed her and left. Exasperated, she threw the bag of coffee onto the table and stormed upstairs after Adam.

"Hey! Walking away isn't having the last word," she shouted. "It's just walking away!"

 

[Eiselmann]

Adam had finished the lower sheet when he heard Lauren coming.

That had happened quicker than he expected but her words threw him 'last word' wasn't that what you did when having an arguement? Adam couldn't recall it. Oh sure, she'd been pissed but he'd allowed for that.

"Okay" he said calmly.

Adam took another sheet and flicked it over the bed the material settled as it should, mostly.

His father had told him as a kid that woman were always right even when wrong they were right, when he'd questioned the logic of such a statement his father had simply smiled.

Now he thought he understood at least he hoped he did.

"I'm here and not walking away, what is it you want to discuss, being normal? I can do that , I want that as much as the next person to chat, have coffee to switch off for just a short time but I also understand our situation as I'm sure you do , everything we do, every decision we make has an impact, takes time, and soon if not right now things will become time critical. For me I need to be progressing towards a goal . Even when I was walking from one job to another from one state to another I had a goal."

Adam looked down and sighed ,had he gotten angry? his little speech had just come out and his voice had sounded ....like his father. That thought struck him, his dad had been a good man, a great dad but he could turn a conversation into a lecture at the drop of a hat.

Why couldn't she see what was to come, they had two years maybe three to learn how to feed themselves, provide power, control territory from wild life and rodents and a myriad of other things otherwise it was over and even if there were a thousand people out there it would be a struggle...didn't she see that ,understand it. Maybe she did and maybe her need to cling to a life known was worth fighting for , even if it was doomed.

"Sorry Lauren I really am" he looked at up at her now his eyes a mix of steel and genuine concern" I was wrong to push to hard"

 

[bigladypleaser]

steve listened to rivy. he wanted to make sure he heard her right. what she said made him think hard.

"well, in no particular order, let me say a couple things. first off, you don't owe me anything, ever. i'd have stopped just the same if it had been a man on the side of the road. hell, i didn't even know you were a woman till i came back to where you were laying. i wouldn't have stolen a kiss from a guy, but i hope you see what i mean." he hoped the quick joke would hep ease her concern.

"second, as far as any obligation to you, i'm not sure where that would come from. you have given me the chance to care for someone who needed it. the fact that you're a woman has made it much more enjoyable. maybe it's a bad simile, but i'm taking care of lucky, too. i enjoy his company. i don't feel obliged to feed or cloth either of you, but i do feel it's the right thing to do. i've not always done the right thing. in fact i've hurt many people financially over the years for my own gain. i do this because i want to, not because i have to."

steve stopped, took a deep breath in and put his finger under rivy's chin, raising her face from his shoulder. looking down at her face, he said, "as far as anything else, since i don't know for sure how to show you, let me tell you what i feel. you've already given me more sexually than any woman ever has. those kisses were given freely by you and i'm happy as hell with them. i don't want anything from you that you can't freely give. yes, of course, i've already fantasized of other things happening, but never without you doing it because you wanted to. i don't want any bad experiences happening between us, okay?"

before she could say anything he added quickly," as to any bad experiences you've had before, if you want to tell me you will. if you don't, you won't. i'll be glad to listen to anything you want to tell me. i won't judge you by what you tell me though. whatever happened before, was before. if it's something that bothers you a lot, maybe it will hurt less if you tell me, i don't know. i just want to be you're friend above all else."

he slid his finger out from under her chin and wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close, but not too tightly. just enough, hopefully, that she'd feel reassured. "you know, it might be easier to talk with a full belly. if you're ready i can start dinner or just start a fire for now and wait on eating till later. maybe dark secrets are better told in the dark by the fire."

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy hugged Steve close, laying her head in his chest just for the moment. It was refreshing to have someone on her side, to be understood and not rushed. She knew he had feelings for her both friendly and sexual, she too had the same thoughts but with their situation at hand, it often pushed people closer together for all the wrong reasons.

While any other time of the day they could have been the only souls on this planet if not for the radio broadcast. However, Rivy was not so inclined to be given over to anyone. She wanted to stay with Steve, he'd been so kind to her thus far there just didn't seem any rhyme or reason to leave him even if it seemed the better option. Clinging to him tightly she burried her head in his chest. "I am hungry... I just..." Biting her lip she reached up to him to kiss him once more. Long and hard before pulling away. "I want to stay with you. I mean... I really appriciate what you have done for me. I'm sure Lucky is happy too. No matter what happens I want to stay with you. As friends... maybe more we'll just have to see. Just promise me you want leave me alone?"

 

[bigladypleaser]

talk about your ego boost! another kiss and a request to stay together. steve smiled so wide, his mouth hurt.

"you never have to worry about me leaving you. you're stuck with me, kid. you have but to ask, i am yours to command. just promise me you'll talk to me. don't assume i know what is going on. we both have a lot to learn about the other. i'll answer anything you ask. did i hear something about hungry. how about some soup tonight. it'll take a little while and we can sit by the fire, if you lilke while it cooks. "

steve leaned close and stole a quick kiss, taking advantage of her not being able to see him moving. " i could get reall addicted to that, real quick. now i better get the fire going. he moved away and began aranging the wood.

"tell what. how about you decide what we do this evening. anything you want. games, tell stories, maybe a shower? anything you want to do. even dinner and a dance if you'd like. depends on whether we can get anything to dance to on the radio. i do a passable foxtrot and a mean tango. did you ever see the movie "shall we dance?" richard gere might look better in a tux, the jury is out on that, but i can dance his skinny ass right off the floor."

steve was chattering away like a chipmonk.

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy smiled letting Steve chat her up. She liked that he was feeling better it also made her feel good. His happiness was her's as well. She sat by as he went about preparing a fire then setting up what he needed for their dinner. She occupied her time with Lucky playing with him at her feet, in her lap and then following his barks as he went to relieve himself.

She eventually found herself standing in a clearing not too far form the fire where the wind seemed to speak to her. Simply standing their she listened a while before Lucky came up on her barking happily. Kneeling she petted him the followed his barks back to the fire where she took a seat.

Steve began to speak again and she was content to simply listen liking the laughter and excitement in his voice. The smile she had before had not left her lips since. Oddly enough she wondered if they'd kiss more after this. Even if they didn't she was content and happy as they were.

[ i think its still day time, as noted by Brigid and Eissie... though not sure. *shrugs*]

 

[bigladypleaser]

steve watched rivy come back and noted the smile on her face. as he fiddled around, stoking up the fire, he thought how good he felt right now. he'd been given a chance to make a new life and so far, it seemed that this one would be a lot more pleasant than his old one. he'd even gone more than 24 hours now without a drink and that had not happened since god knows when!

once the fire was going well, he brought out the camp stove and a big pot for the soup. he found he needed to be careful and pay attention to cutting up the meat and vegetables and not just stare at rivy. once he added everything to the pot, it was just a matter of stirring from time to time. that left him with little to do for a while.

"how about a little walk before dinner? just like the "three bears". the porridge isn't just right yet."

he stepped over and took rivy's elbow even though she didn't need the help getting up. the cuts on her feet were healing well and she seemed to walk with little or no discomfort. as the y moved away from the bench, he let his hand slide down her arm and took her hand in his. they walked around the mown areas of the rest stop. he commented on the sky and weather, carefully dodging the fact she still couldn't see what he did.

"you said something about our meeting before all this happened. i don't know if we'd have met and i don't think you'd have liked what you saw then. i'm not happy about the plague, but rivy, i am happy that i got the chance to meet you. before all of this, all i did was try to make money. screw anybody to make a dime. i was all business. i lived with my mother and had no social life at all, except for what was directly tied to my business. my dad left us when i was little for another woman and mom was very bitter about that. she blamed the other woman and brought me up telling me that women were evil. i've never gotten to know a woman well enough to know any better. the women i've met in business were just as ruthless as i was, so i had no way to prove mom wrong. then i stumbled over you. you don't seem to have a wicked bone in your body. i'm guessing that before, you were a giving person and not a taker. you've not made a single demand since i found you. that makes it even better to give to you. why would anyone make demands on someone like you?"

 

[brigid_fitch]

Lauren and Adam ~ Weatherford, OK

Lauren found Adam in the master bedroom, making the bed. Her fury was still barely contained, her frustration even less so. How could he be so calm? WHY was he being so calm? Before she could lash out at him, he spoke to her in a relaxed and impassive voice.

"I'm here and not walking away, what is it you want to discuss, being normal? I can do that , I want that as much as the next person to chat, have coffee to switch off for just a short time but I also understand our situation as I'm sure you do , everything we do, every decision we make has an impact, takes time, and soon if not right now things will become time critical. For me I need to be progressing towards a goal . Even when I was walking from one job to another from one state to another I had a goal."

It was his words more so than his tone that placated her. He spoke of decisions, goals, and making an impact. These were words she understood implicitly. These were words on which she had fashioned her whole life. Maybe Adam was more like her than she had originally thought. While she had been working on short-term goals--get to Oklahoma, fix the radio message--he was thinking long-term. His constant referralls to food depots, milking cows, clothing warehouses--these were all his way of showing her that he had a plan. And what did she have? A rucksack full of designer jeans and a couple of boxes of Cremora. She felt embarrassed, ashamed, and pretty damn stupid. And she'd be damned if she were going to let him know it.

"Sorry Lauren I really am...I was wrong to push too hard"

With an angry swipe of her hand, Lauren pushed a stray lock of hair out of her eyes. She refused to look at him as she spoke, instead focusing on a spot on the wall just above his head.

"Well, you should be sorry," she said, haughtily. "Here I am, only trying to help make this place a little more homey by starting a pot of coffee and you go off on your little tangent." She sat down on the bed, picking at a piece of lint on the topsheet. The scene wasn't lost on her--here she was, all alone with Adam, sitting on this big bed (which, she was sure, was infinitely more comfortable than that beat-up task chair at the station), his gorgeous body right next to her... She couldn't help but sigh. The sun was setting now and the rays coming through the bedroom window made him look like a Greek statue. How could she stay mad at this kid? She looked up at him, giving him that award-winning smile again.

"Listen, let's just forget it, okay? Why don't I just help you make the bed and then we'll figure out what we're going to do next." She reached for the bedspread that was on the floor, right behind Adam. He didn't move as she grabbed for it and, when she stood up, she was only inches away from him.

 

[Eiselmann]

Adam was grateful that she had seemingly moved on. He'd learn from this he knew realising that he had been perhaps a little too dismissive of Lauren's feelings, that didn't make him wrong for in truth they had to move forward from this point but then the trip would be easier with at least two pairs of hand and two minds working on the solution.

Besides she was probaly still working out whether he was the normal decent guy that he was, or some nut-job pretending to be a normal decent guy, sharing coffee was in many ways a sign that he could do the most normal of things with ease.

He watched her lean over pick up the bedspread admiring her , which was a normal thing for a man to do. Then she was inces from his face, so pretty so attractive so there.

His need for her grew, they sex earlier just wettened his thirst, however it was more than this sex was one of the many ways they could connect with each other and connection wasn't just important it was critical if they were to survive let alone bring more life into this world and arm the next generation with the skills to cope with a world that was still an unknown.

So close...Adam reached his hand out to her's feeling the bedspread and moving up to tocuh her fingers the bedspread dropped again as he entwined his fingers with hers and then he lent forward and kissed her on the lips softly at first and then his mouth opened and his lips danced with hers as his other hand moved behind her back bringing her forward to his body , she could not fail to notice his hard cock snaking down his inner tight.

The day had progressed quickly so that he had really only achieved one thing this day that had been part of the plan but maybe for now the future could wait.

 

[Kuuroinochou]

Rivy listened sitting quietly as he spoke her mind nervously going over in her head the things she wanted to get off her chest but unsure of how he'd take it. She'd been told before that her life was her own fault. The decisions she made and paths she took were all her own doing and despite not knowing what they brought the outcome was all her doing.

"Uh.. well. My father was a very demanding person. He did what he could to provide for his family." she began ringing her hands together nervously. "I mean before my mother left, the family was inseperable. It was a home. But my father picked up a drinking habit, mom just couldn't deal with it like the rest of us. He eventually began taking his frustrations out on her, driving her into another man's arms so to speak." she smiled lightly but that's all she could do. "Soon mom left and told me I'm the woman of the house. She never made mention of coming to get us or even acknowledging that we were her responsibility as well."

"Years went by and I assumed my role. Dad continued to drink and he eventually took that drunken stupor out on me. That's only because I blocked him from hurting the younger kids. They didn't deserve it." She bit her lip feeling a bit nervous. "I said you were the first to kiss me, but if you counted my father's sexual advances then you are not... however... I rather like to think my true first kiss is with you. " she paused a moment then spoke. "My father used to go to strip clubs late at night. That gave me time to get the kids homework done, fed, cleaned and in bed. By the time father came home I was also in bed but it didn't matter he'd wake me up to relieved his sexual tensions on me. So you can imagine I am not a virgin, but I never had good experiences... that's why I'm not used to relying on others. In the end they let me down. The one man that I was suppose to put my trust in let me down in the worst possible way a father could... I just sucked it up and lived my life for my siblings. I would do anything to make sure their lives were comfortable. But that's when the epidemic hit taking my father first then my siblings. I'm the only one left so its really hard to rely on myself when I've been working to make others comfortable. I suppose this moment in time is a slight blessing in deguise. If it hadn't happened I probably never would have taken time out for myself. I wouldn't have met you and we may not have learned the lessons we so desperately needed."

 

[brigid_fitch]

Lauren and Adam ~ Weatherford, OK

His kiss was a shock to her, at first. She was still wrestling with whether or not she was angry with him; she had not expected him to kiss her or to kiss him back. But now his arms were around her, pulling her close, and she was not resisting. She wrapped her arms around his neck, kissing him, smiling slightly as she noticed his erection pressing against her body. Pulling him down onto the bed, she quickly undid his jeans, freeing his stiff cock from its confines. In a moment, everything that had happened today--her outbursts, her tantrums, her embarrassment at how little she'd actually accomplished compared to him--was forgotten. The only thing she could remember was the feel of him inside her back at the station. Lying next to him on the bed, she kissed him hungrily, passionately, her hand wandering down to lazily stroke his cock.

He took her hand away, raised her arms over her head, and pulled off her shirt. The bra was still a challenge for him, but not so much as before. His mouth fell to her breast and she sighed as he drew a nipple into his mouth, biting softly as it hardened. There was no rush this time; unlike the animal lust from before, there was now a need to please as well as be pleased.

 

[Eiselmann]

Adam sucked the breast, for a moment he'd feared he'd overstepped the mark been too certain that this would be the outcome but that fear had gone when she moved him to the bed.

This would be more than the first time, a lot of the same needs drove them but where that had been a fuck this would be something more he was sure of that , as he placed a hand on the other breast and gentle cupped it his thumb and fore-finger rubbing over the hardened nipple.

He could feel her hand on his cock and wondered just how long this night would last knowing or at least hoping that he could keep going for several hours.

He'd walk funny tomorrow morning he knew that but it would be worth it.

His mouth moved north to her neck and then met her mouth once again as his hand moved down from her soft breast to her pants , undoing them fortunately was easy and his hand snaked under her panties and felt a heat he knew and wanted more of , his middle finger slipped further down and gently moved along the soft parting.

His mouth eagerly danced with hers.

The world outside seemed less important right now.

 

[bigladypleaser]

steve listened to rivy as she related her story. it made his heart ache to think that her childhood had been torn away from her and that she'd reached adulthood under such a horrible circumstance. on impulse, he reached out and took her in his arms and held her close.

"we make quite a pair, don't we," he said, kissing the top of her head. "two very different routes to the same place in life. thank you for feeling safe enough to tell me what happened to you. you're also right about the lesson's we've both learned from before."

he eased back, taking her shoulders in his hands and looked into her eyes.

" i'll promise you right now, i won't take anything from you that you don't offer if you'll promise me i can take care of you when you need it. not just now because you can't see, but as we go on together."

once again, steve wrapped his arms around rivy, this time holding her tightly to his chest. her body felt so good against his. her head on his shoulder, her lips only inches away from his. a kiss, a real kiss! just as he turned his head, searching for her lips, a whine followed by lucky pulling on his pants leg broke the spell.

a deep laugh exploded from steve. "i think someone is telling us it's dinner time." sighing deeply as the moment passed, steve took rivy's hand in his and walked her back to the table with lucky running back and forth between the the two of them and the fire.

"at least you like my cooking," he chuckled as he dished out the soup. "you better let that cool a little buddy." he sat three bowels out on the table and made a point of sitting at rivy's side, their legs touching as the pup bounced up and down, demanding his dinner.

"so this is what it's like having a real family," he said. "i think i could learn to like this." the three ate as darkness fell.