Todd Wants Key's Face

Gilder: *he grins back at her, her happiness seemingly contagious to him*

Claire: *laughs a bit, and goes back to cooking, not really caring about much. soon, she finishes up and serves food for the both of them, sitting down to eat with Gilder* ^^

Gilder: *he eats with Claire, constantly glancing up at her, smiling*

Claire: *occasionally glances up when he does, sometimes locking eyes with him--she smiles back*

Gilder: *he reddens a bit when this happens and looks away, feeling like he's in high school again*

Claire: *her smile briefly fades, but it's only gone for an instant before the smile returns--she continues to eat, not saying a word*

Gilder: ... I-It's very good chicken...

Claire: *tries to keep her smile from growing any wider* Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it. ^^

Gilder: Is it your own recipe?

Claire: *nods* Mhmm. ^^

Gilder: You're a very talented cook. :)

Claire: Thank you. ^//^

meanwhile

Blood Puppet: *he paces the tiny building, somewhat spooked by the Lieutenant's appearance*

Claire: *sits quietly against a wall, her head in her hands. Something was wrong. Very wrong. She knew she shouldn't be here. She couldn't stand being in here any longer* ...

Annabelle: *sits curled up in the dentists chair, still a bit shocked from earlier*

Blood Puppet: *he walks over to Annabelle and combs through her hair with his fingers, very quiet* ...

Annabelle: *doesn't move, her voice quiet and unsteady* Dad... w-what happened to Dusk?

Celine: *this was all wrong. this was all so very wrong, but why, WHY, what was wrong, why couldn't she remember...??*

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Gilder: He was a good man. That's all that needs to be said. *he slips his hand off her shoulder* So, then... um...

Claire: Um... So, you took the day off?

Gilder: I did. I wanted to see how you're doing.

Claire: Well, now you know. :) Would you like to stay? I was just making lunch...

Gilder: Uh... S-sure! I-I mean -- Well, if that's alright with you. ^///^

Claire: Oh, it's totally fine! You're already here, right? ^^

Gilder: Well... Thank you for the offer. I'd be glad to join you. :)

Claire: *smiles* Make yourself comfortable, then. :) I hope you don't mind chicken. ^^

Gilder: I don't at all. :) *he sits down at the table*

Claire: ^^ *goes over to the kitchen* Would you like something to drink? <:P

Gilder: Uh... Water's fine. I'm... Okay with just water. Just... Yes. Water. ^^;

Claire: ^^ *pours him a glass, then sets it on the table before going back to tend to the stove*

Gilder: *he sips from the glass, watching Claire with a small smile*

Claire: *happily makes food, her mood infinitely better than it had been just a few days ago*

Gilder: *Is happy to be with Claire and notes how much better she looks now that she knows her son is safe and sane*

Claire: *hums a happy tune, feeling so upbeat she couldn't really hide it. she glances back at Gilder, grinning widely, just... HAPPY*

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Sam: ... I know... *he closes his eyes, upset*

Sarah: <:( ... *nuzzles into his neck, moving her hands down to rub his back*

Sam: *this does not help him feel better, but it makes him feel a bit more comfortable. It doesn't take long for Sam to fall asleep*

Sarah: *waits until she's sure Sam is asleep before allowing herself to drift off as well*

*the next morning*

Sam: *wakes up early once again to get ready for work*

Sarah: *is still sound asleep*

Sam: *he gets ready, then leans down and kisses Sarah goodbye, at least for the day*

Sarah: *smiles in her sleep, mumbling a quiet "love you" as he pulls away*

Sam: *he smiles a little, himself, then walks away, leaving and going to work*

Later At The Outpost

Gilder: *knocks on Sam's office door*

Sam: Come in.

Gilder: *enters* Lieutenant.

Sam: Gilder? :/

Gilder: If you'd be willing to allow it, I'd like a day off today.

Sam: What reason?

Gilder: Oh... No reason.

Sam: Well, you worked so hard while I was gone... I figure you've earned it. <:/

Gilder: ... Thank you. :)

Nothing: *happens*

Gilder: *he leaves and drives over to Claire's house. There, he knocks on the door*

Claire: *answers the door, looking generally happier* Oh, Hello John. :) Come in! *steps aside to let him in*

Gilder: Thank you very much, Claire. :) *he steps in* How are you?

Claire: *shuts the door* I'm doing pretty well, actually. :)

Gilder: Glad to see your son back in the right mind? :)

Claire: VERY glad... *sighs* I just missed him too much, he vanished so soon after Harry...

Gilder: *he puts a hand on her shoulder* ... Maybe it would be better if... We DON'T talk about Harry.

Claire: *gives him a sad smile* I guess you're right.

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Sam: ... You read my mind. Heh. Well, she... she seemed okay. From what I could see of her, anyway. She was... SCARED of us. Of ME...

Sarah: Maybe she didn't recognize you? Though a bunch of soldiers running in with guns would scare just about anyone...

Sam: ... She looked like she recognized me, though... sorta.

Sarah: ...Maybe she saw the difference? Between you and Dusk, I mean...

Sam: ... Was there really much of a difference...?

Sarah: In the way you acted? ...Yes.

Sam: ... I didn't really notice. Uh. On a scale of one to pigeon, how empty did I seem?

Sarah: Hmm... probably somewhere around "hamster." Pretty damn close to pidgeon. <:/

Sam: ... Ah. So I guess Annabelle'd only really trust me if I still looked like a robot...

Sarah: I just don't think she was used to the change... I mean, when she ran away to find you, she still recognized you, even though you had already made a ton of progress... I think it was just a bit of a shock...

Sam: *he sighs* ... How am I going to rescue her...?

Sarah: I don't know... when you catch Hobbes, maybe? <:/

Sam: Catch? Hah. I TRIED catching him. He'll just escape again. Kill more people.

Sarah: Well, we have to stop him SOMEHOW...

Sam: ... I just don't KNOW... there's nothing that seems to work... Nothing that won't harm other people, anyway...

Sarah: *doesn't really know what else to say. he was right--nothing really seemed to work anymore* ...

Sam: *sighs, his own words depressing him*

Sarah: *quietly* Just try and get some sleep... you have to go to work tomorrow...

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Sam: I-I know... I-I-I know...

Sarah: *kisses him, then nuzzles him* I think you need to rest...

Sam: *he nods a little, still shaking* O-okay... Okay... *he lets go of Sarah and drags his feet over to the bedroom*

Sarah: *follows him, keeping a hand on his shoulder. this worried him that badly...?*

Sam: *he crawls into bed, but feels like he's lost the ability to sleep*

Sarah: *gets into bed with him, wrapping her arms around his middle* ...

Sam: *he stares at Sarah with sad eyes* ...

Sarah: *stares back. she puts a hand on his cheek, gently rubbing it with her thumb, trying to reassure him... everything was going to be okay...*

Sam: *closes his eyes and lets out a shuddered sigh*

Sarah: *moves closer, touching her forehead to his and moving her hand to the back of his head, slowly combing through his hair* ...

Sam: *he smiles a bit from this, welcoming the brief pleasure it brings*

Sarah: *softly kisses him, still combing through his hair*

Sam: *he nuzzles her in return , his feelings mixed with the day's events*

Sarah: *nuzzles him back, still slowly combing through his hair. she hopes he'll be able to sleep...*

Sam: *he can't help but wonder if Annabelle is doing alright. He's extremely worried about her*

Sarah: ...Was she doing okay? When you saw her?

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Sam: That bastard threatened to go on a mass-murdering rampage if we took Annabelle. frack him, frack him, frack HIM...!

Sarah: D:> ... *hugs him again, rubbing his back to try and soothe him* ...There'll be a next time, right? Maybe you'll be able to get rid of him first...

Sam: H-how can I get RID of him if we've never once been able to shoot him...??

Sarah: Blood Puppet may be clever, but he isn't invincible... You DID manage to injure him as Dusk, right...?

Sam: Yes, but he wasn't EXPECTING that... if he SEES a gun, it's like he becomes this MACHINE...

Sarah: ...You'll think of something...

Sam: ... I don't know if I CAN... this has gone on for far too long...

Sarah: It has to end SOMETIME... <:/

Sam: ... Well... HOW it will end is what scares me.

Sarah: ... *looks away, biting her lip nervously* ...

Sam: *he finally brings himself to hug Sarah back* ...

Sarah: *hugs him more tightly* ...We'll be fine. We've made it this far...

Sam: ... How much longer will that last...?

Sarah: As long as we want it to...

Sam: *shaking, he just starts to cry in Sarah's arms*

Sarah: *hugs him more tightly, running her fingers through his hair* Shhh... Sam, we're going to be fine... We're all going to be fine...

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Sam: *rides his motorcycle to the Outpost, where Gilder's put together a small, but highly experienced team for him. He rounds them up and drives with them to Blood Puppet's hideout*

meanwhile

Celine: *is in the dentist's chair, asleep*

Annabelle: *wanders about aimlessly. she's been having trouble sleeping since the incident with Dusk...*

Blood Puppet: *he watches Celine sleep, his thoughts a large maze of blood and suffering* ...

meanwhile

Soldiers: *park outside Blood Puppet's hideout*

Sam: *steps out of the armored vehicle, guns ready* ...

Celine: *sleeps*

Annabelle: *could have SWORN she head something outside...she heads back into the room Blood Puppet and Celine are in* ...

Blood Puppet: *looks over at Annabelle when she enters the room* ...

meanwhile

Sam: *he and his men run and enter the building noisily*

Blood Puppet: ??

Sam: *enters the room their in with the soldiers, guns pointed* I think it's time we rescue Annabelle, don't you agree, Blood Puppet? >:/

Blood Puppet: ... Hahaha... Hah! Hahaha! *draws his sword* Such immature THREATS...

Annabelle: !!! *hides behind Blood Puppet*

Celine: ! *is startled awake--she sits up in the chair, and watches the soldiers, showing no expression* ...

Blood Puppet: You want to rip my child AWAY from me??

Sam: She's not YOUR child -- you KIDNAPPED her!! DB<

Blood Puppet: YOU'RE NOTHING BUT A LIAR!!

Soldiers: *keep their guns ready*

Annabelle: *whimpers, and stays close to Blood Puppet, hanging onto the back of his coat*

Celine: ...

Sam: Annabelle, please come here -- we're here to rescue you. D:>

Blood Puppet: That is NOT Dusk. Not ANYMORE.

Soldiers: >:(

Annabelle: *peeks past her father, towards... Dusk? He still looked like him... he didn't sound like him, though... and if she tried to run, her father would hurt her, like he did last time...she couldn't. she couldn't go, not when she was at risk of being hurt again, and not when she couldn't be sure that this was actually her FRIEND... she doesn't move* ...

Celine: ...

Sam: ... God-DAMNIT -- FIRE AT HOBBES! D8<

Blood Puppet: Celine, take Annabelle and run! *starts bashing the bullets away with his katana*

Annabelle: D8!!!

Celine: *does as ordered, grabbing Annabelle and taking her deeper into the building*

Sam: ! frack --

Blood Puppet: If you go after them, my dear Lieutenant, then I'll have no choice but to slaughter as many people as I can.

Sam: D8< ...

Blood Puppet: Hahaha... go home, Lieutenant. Let us rest.

Sam: Son of a dog... *he backs away from Blood Puppet and leaves with his soldiers. What a failure of a mission*

Sarah: *sits at home, already feeling anxious--it had only been a few hours, but she was already fearing the worst* ...

Sam: *After writing down a report of the day's events, he goes home enraged. He's a failure. A complete failure. He can't stop Blood Puppet -- He never could, not ONCE! Damn Hobbes! Damn him for all he's done, all the pain he's caused! Sam unlocks the door to his and Sarah's apartment and enters it, slamming the door shut behind him*

Sarah: *jumps from the sudden noise, but is incredibly relieved to see Sam unharmed--she jumps up and hugs him tightly* Thank GOD--!! W-What happened? D:>

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Sam: Well, he's only managed to get me when I was either alone or with you. I have an entire squad coming with me -- I'll be fine. <:/

Sarah: *isn't entirely convinced* ...Okay...

Sam: *he kisses her forehead and speaks much more quietly* ... I'll be fine...

Sarah: *nods slightly, and also lowers her voice* ...okay...

Sam: Let's sleep, alright? It's been a long day...

Sarah: *sighs* Good plan... *turns back around, and snuggles closer to him* goodnight...

Sam: 'Night... *he snuggles with Sarah, falling asleep quickly*

Sarah: *quickly follows suit, despite her concern*

The Next Morning

Sam: *he gets up early, finding and putting on his trench-coat and hat. He checks to see if his guns and supplies are still in there. Yup*

Sarah: *wakes up a little bit later* Sam...?

Sam: *turns his head to look at Sarah* Oh! Hey... I'm heading out now.

Sarah: *sits up* ...Be careful, okay?

Sam: *gives her a reassuring grin* Don't worry about me, Sarah. I'll be fine.

Sarah: ... *nods* I believe you.

Sam: *he walks over to her and hugs her, then kisses her cheek* ... I'll be back.

Sarah: *hugs him, kissing him back* I'll be waiting.

Sam: *he smiles at her one final time before letting go of her and leaving*

Sarah: *watches him leave, wondering if she should have tried harder to make him stay* .....

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Sam: *nuzzles Sarah back, still rubbing her stomach*

Sarah: *sighs happily, and relaxes, content*

Sam: *he kisses her, feeling very happy*

Sarah: *kisses him back, just as happy*

Sam: *he rubs her cheek with a thumb, reminded of when they truly fell together, and how Sarah eased his loneliness*

Sarah: *puts her hand over his, just happy to have him back. It hadn't been the same when Dusk was still around... everything just felt RIGHT now...*

Sam: ... *he then frowns* ... Sarah... Remember, I'll need to try rescuing Annabelle, tomorrow... <:/

Sarah: *her smile vanishes* ... *sighs* I don't see why YOU have to go...

Sam: She trusts me... not a bunch of random soldiers...

Sarah: I'm more worried about Blood Puppet trying to KILL YOU than Annabelle choosing to go with you...

Sam: Well, he hasn't so far, right?

Sarah: I just don't want to find out you've ended up in the hospital... AGAIN...

Sam: I won't Sarah -- don't worry so much about me. I'm not THAT wimpy. <:P

Sarah: Considering your track record, I think I'm allowed to worry. <:P

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Sam: *he walks over and kisses Sarah again* I can't believe this is happening...! X3

Sarah: I knowwww~! Guh, I'm just too excited. X3

Sam: ... Do you think this is how our parents felt when THEY were just getting started with this family thing?

Sarah: I wouldn't doubt it... Especially MY parents, since, you know.

Sam: Well yeah... But they still loved you like you were their actual daughter, and not their adopted one...

Sarah: I know... I'm just saying, that's why they WOULD be excited. Because they could finally have a family.

Sam: Ah. It can be fun imagining their reactions. ^^

Sarah: Yeah... X)

Sam: Do you think they squealed as much as we did? :P

Sarah: I know for a fact that DAD would have. X);;

Sam: Oh. X) So... what now?

Sarah: *shrugs* IIIIII dunno. Bed?

Sam: Haha, okay. X3 *he gets up and offers Sarah his hand*

Sarah: *takes the hand, and gets up* Thaaank you. :3

Sam: Sure thing. ^^ *he walks to the bedroom with her and lies on the bed*

Sara: *gets into bed next to him, and snuggles up to him* <3

Sam: *he snuggles back, pressing his face against her back and rubbing her stomach*

Sarah: *turns her head back to nuzzle him affectionately, humming contentedly*

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