Meeting

David chuckles softly and shakes his head. "Work is most important, I know. But it was worth a try. At least give me ten minutes of old time's sake."

Having Aerith come up to the table, he holds up his finger to have her wait a moment as he quickly scans the menu. "Uh... how about the chicken parmesan and... um, just water, thanks."

Once alone with Angelica once more, his smile returns. "Mm, remember those late nights pouring over books just so we could one up our fellow classmates the next day? For some reason I feel like that again."

His eyes had already wandered to her left hand once, noting that one specific finger was still quite bare. "So... ten minutes starts now. How is it, working for the Elite?"

"Yeah..." JT chuckles. "Friends is what's important."

Taking Amanda's hand, he lifts it to his lips, giving it a gentle kiss. "Well thank you anyway, even if you don't want to be repaid."

Taking a deep and weary breath, he lets himself flop backward, his feet still on the floor, but his upper body on the bed. "When this is all over.... I think I'll finally be ready for a vacation."

Axel smiles, unable to help but enjoy Jess' attention. "Take care of me, huh?"

Curling down so his face was right next to hers, he's still grinning. "I think I could handle that." Leaning in a little more, his lips brush hers lightly before he pulls back, looking into her eyes. "Before you, life seemed just a bit empty." His voice is so quiet. "What did I do without you, hmm?"

Smiling again, he returns his lips to hers, this time staying for a longer kiss.

"Alright..." Sparky sits in the back corner of the dining hall before supper, staring at his siblings with worry in his eyes. Something seemed really strange. Jim had pulled him away from chores, saying that he, Wes and Annie wanted to talk about something. Looking at all their eyes, Sparky could tell that he was the only one who didn't know what was going on. "So what's this all about, guys? I got chores waiting."

"Yeah... yeah, this shouldn't take long." Jim nods and clears his throat, folding his hands on the table. He'd started this thing, so he might as well be the one to spill it. "Well... we're just a little concerned about you... and we want to make sure you're okay."

Sparky's eyebrows rise. "I've... never felt better. I'm fine... great. Did I do something to offend y'all?"

"Oh, no, no," Jim assures. He gives Annie a sidelong glance. "We just... well, we've noticed you and Faith and... wanted to make sure nobody was gonna get hurt."

As Sparky realizes what this meeting had been called for, he leans back, controlling his irritation. "If by 'me and Faith' you mean more than friends, it's true. Not sure I understand about getting hurt though." He hadn't exactly planned on announcing a relationship like this, but it wasn't as secret. It had just happened fast, that was all.

Jim looks to Annie and Wes for help. "Well... she's young and-"

"So?"

"Your basically old enough to be her father! You know this, don't you?"

"Of course I do." Sparky grits his teeth as his face reddens. Having his personal life exposed like this was embarrassing, even if it was his family. "What's the point here, guys? Are you saying you don't approve?"

"No, not approve. Just... it's-"

"It's what?"

Jim looks helplessly to Annie. All he wanted to do was express they cared and make sure everything was okay and that no one was being foolish or rushing into things. But he didn't know how to say it without sounding judgmental.