Todd Wants Key's Face

Nate: Uhh... do youuu... know him personally? D:

Ozzy: Mroww...

Sarah: *bites her lip, trying not to panic* I-- *jumps when her phone suddenly goes off in her pocket, a high-pitched beeping that meant her battery was running low. she pulls the phone out, inadvertently pulling the wedding ring out with it--she doesn't notice the ring fall to the floor with a quiet "clink" as she sees that there are three voicemails on her phone. she dials the number, and listens. and listens. and listens. her heart breaks just a little more with every word he says, and she can no longer hold back tears. She had been wrong*

Nate: *notices the ring* ... Woah - WAIT... D8 Sarah - a-are you... are you MARRIED?

Ozzy: *scurries out of the room*

Sarah: ---!? *wipes away tears with the back of her hand, and looks up at Nate--then follows his gaze to the floor* !! *quickly picks up the ring and shoves it in her pocket, keeping her eyes down, unable to look Nate in the eyes. WELL then. This was quite a predicament she had gotten herself into...* ...

Nate: Holy crap... Sarah, why didn't you TELL me...? D:>

Sarah: ...Because I thought we were DONE... I thought it was OVER...

Nate: You're MARRIED to him, that doesn't mean it's over, it means you're supposed to commit your lives to each other! D:>

Sarah: *her voice breaks* He screamed at me... He threw his ring at me, what ELSE was I supposed to think!? D8>

Nate: Uh... then... do you want to visit him...? Was it him that sent you those messages? D:>

Sarah: *nods* I-I HAVE to go see him... S-Somehow, I have a feeling I'm partly to blame for that accident.

Nate: <:/ ... You go then. Go see him, Sarah.

Sarah: ... *gives Nate a quick hug* I'm sorry... *lets go of him, and goes back out the window, the same way she came in, making a beeline for the hospital. she doesn't stop for ANYTHING--she had to make sure Sam was okay. He HAD to be okay*

At the Hospital

Sam: *has a broken arm and a few busted ribs... yet somehow, that appears to be all the damage done, besides the obvious mild brain damage. He's conscious, but drugged as the doctors work on him* ...

Sarah: *runs up to the receptionist, desperate and out of breath* W-What room is the Lieutenant in?? D8>

Receptionist: A-AH - UH - 2... 203! D8

meanwhile

Sam: *getting worked on. Really, yes, the broken ribs, the broken arm, the mild brain damage, and of course, a ton of bruises. But he is drugged. So no screaming and hollering in pain. Yay*

Doctors: *work*

Sarah: Thank you. D8 *runs over to the room, and stops in front of the door. could she face him? ... she reaches into her pocket, and pulls out the ring, remembering what Nate said. she puts the ring back on her finger (and that's where it'll stay), and lightly knocks on the door*

Doctors: *they have finished up right around the time Sarah knocks and heads out, letting Sarah in*

Sam: *his gaze his glassy and unfocused from the drugs in his system. He still manages to find Sarah and lets out a weak, short noise*

Sarah: !! *believes this to be nothing short of a miracle--hit by a TRUCK and still in one piece?! she walks over to the bed, and opens her mouth to say how relieved she is, but instead, all that comes out is a sputtered apology* I-I'm sorry... I'm sorry for leaving like that... I sh-shouldn't have...

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Ozzy: *purrs*

Nate: *wakes up with a yawn* G'morning, Sarah. :) *gets dressed*

Sarah: *looks over at him* Good morning... you sleep okay?

Nate: Oh, yeah... better than okay. You?

Ozzy: *rubs against Sarah's leg*

Sarah: *nods, petting Ozzy again* Same...

Nate: Awesome. :) Soo... oh, don't you have work or something? D:

Ozzy: *purrs*

Sarah: ! *looks at the clock* Oh yeah, whoops. DX I think I can make it if I run.

Nate: Go run, then. Go! D:

Ozzy: *purrs*

Sarah: Right-- *runs over to the window, and sees she can make it to the next building over from there* Okay, good. *to Nate, as she opens the window* I'll see you later, okay?

Nate: Uhh, alright. Aren't you gonna use the door? o__o;

Ozzy: Mrow!

Sarah: Nope. :P *jumps out the window, safely grabbing onto the ledge just across the narrow space between the buildings. she easily climbs her way up*

Nate: o______o;

Ozzy: Mreowr!

Nate: Shush, Ozzy. o_______o;

Sarah: *sprints across the tops of buildings, taking the shortest route she can remember. she barely makes it on time* ^^;

Later That Night

Nate: *waits for Sarah with his cat, watching the news*

Ozzy: *asleep in Nate's lap*

meanwhile

Sam: *completely drunk and driving home from the bar*

Sarah: *runs back across the roofs to Nate's apartment--she lands on a ledge right by his window, and knocks on the glass* :P

Nate: *opens up the window for her and helps her in* ^^;

Ozzy: *was knocked off Nate's lap* Mewrr...

Nate: Don't mind me - I was just watching the news. <:P

News Man: -- This just in, it appears that Lieutenant Samuel Gatzsky has gotten into a large accident while out driving and intoxicated. *shows clip of the wreckage, then of Sam on a stretcher being carried into an ambulance* The total damage is as of yet uncertain but the paramedics at the scene suspect perhaps fatal damage, as the Lieutenant had collided at eighty miles per hour with a truck.

Nate: Oh - WOAH, hey! D: That really sucks!

Sarah: *is completely frozen, staring at the television in absolute horror. he didn't--he couldn't have--it COULDN'T have been him--!! when she speaks, she's barely audible* Oh no... oh no, oh no, oh god no......!!

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Nate: *he then gets up and removes his clothes, smiling at her*

Sarah: *smiles back, but it quickly fades as she removes her own clothes--she can still feel the ring in her pocket. she prays it won't fall out as she puts her clothes down on the floor, and thankfully, it doesn't. she remains sitting on the couch, waiting for him*

Nate: *He takes her with the gentleness of a wave colliding against the shore, running his fingers through her hair, kissing her*

Sarah: *allows him to do as he pleases, returning his affection with soft kisses and feather-light touches*

Nate: *moves in and out of Sarah, grunting as he does so, continuing to kiss and touch her, love her*

Sarah: *quietly moans into their kisses, allowing the pleasure to block out any other thought. it was just the two of them right now. just them*

Nate: *he goes at it with Sarah until he eventually climaxes and groans as he does so* Mmhff... d... did you l... like that...?

meanwhile

Sam: *he lays awake in bed, staring at the wall. If Sarah was there beside him, he'd be staring right into her eyes... but Sarah's not there... and he doubts she ever will be... again, the tears come, and he doesn't stop them. Sarah... where is she? Why... why can't she just pick up her phone once...?*

Sarah: *nods wordlessly, panting, again fearing that her voice will betray her. she DID enjoy it, that much was the truth...*

Nate: Mmm... m' glad I did a good job... heh... *he gets off her, but then snuggles against her on the couch* G'night...

meanwhile

Sam: *he stares off into space, his sight filtered from his water eyes. He then falls asleep*

Sarah: *snuggles back* ...g'night... *soon falls asleep*

Nate: *falls asleep soon after her*

meanwhile, much later

Sam: *he has a strange dream*

In This Strange Dream

Sam: *he sits on a park bench, waiting for someone, though he isn't exactly sure who*

Harry: *walks over and sits down next to him* Hello, Sam.

Sam: Dad?? D:

Harry: Yes, well... I need to talk to you. About Sarah.

Sam: ... I-I... I didn't mean to say what I did, I-I was just...

Harry: Drunk?

Sam: *nods in silence, looking down at his shoes* ...

Harry: ... I can't say I'm proud of you, Sam... I never approved of drinking. Not at all. I'd hate to see you turn into your grandfather. That would hurt me more than anything...

Sam: ... It's too late for that...

Harry: No it's NOT, Sam...

Sam: *he looks away from his father* ... S-Sarah's GONE, Dad... there's no POINT in trying anymore... I can't - I can't LIVE without her...

Harry: Then get her back.

Sam: How?

Harry: That's up to you. *he then gets up and starts walking away*

Sam: ! W-WAIT! *he gets up and runs after him* W-wait...!

Harry: *stops and turns to face Sam* Yes?

Sam: Are... are you a ghost...?

Harry: *gives Sam a sad smile* ... No, Sam... I'm your conscience.

meanwhile

Sam: *he wakes up from the dream, only to find that it's morning. He squints his eyes from the blinding light* Mngh...

meanwhile

Nate: *asleep*

Sarah: *wakes up cuddled up to Nate. for a brief moment, she is incredibly confused, but then she remembers the night before... EVERYTHING that happened the day before* ....... *carefully gets up, trying very hard not to disturb Nate, and starts getting her clothes back on*

Nate: *remains asleep*

Ozzy: *pads into the room and meows at Sarah*

meanwhile

Sam: ... *he gets up, gets dressed and goes to work, but doesn't do much there, his depression hitting him like a ton of bricks to the back of the head. He fills out two papers before he decides he simply can't anymore and gets out a bottle of scotch he hid in his desk, drinking it in large gulps, only for him to start coughing and hacking when he drinks it a bit too fast*

*there is a knock at his door*

Sam: *tries to compose himself, clearing his throat, then speaks, hiding the bottle of alcohol* Come in! *he's not quite drunk yet, no - he's built up a resistance to it, and it will take much more to get him drunk*

Gilder: *opens the door and walks in* Sir.

Sam: *groans inwardly* ... Yes, General?

Gilder: ... I've discussed things with the other generals over the phone... we think... perhaps someone should take over for the time being. Or perhaps simply take over.

Sam: You're trying to kick me OUT? After all I've DONE for this country? D:<

Gilder: It's not that you haven't done good things, it's just that... the others and I think you're losing focus...

Sam: Y-You can't do this...

Gilder: We actually can, and we WILL unless you somehow get your act together within a month.

Sam: A MONTH?? Wha - what do you expect me to accomplish within a MONTH? D8<

Gilder: Well, first of all, you might want to consider no longer drinking while working.

Sam: Buh - I-I wasn't -

Gilder: Don't lie, Lieutenant, I can smell the alcohol on your breath. Now... try getting some work done. Please. *he leaves*

Sam: *slumps back in his chair, shocked. Everything's falling apart for him... isn't it?*

Sarah: ? *looks down, and gives the cat a small smile, whispering* Hey... *kneels down to pet him* good morning, little guy...

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Nate: Alright then - *takes out a random action movie and pops it into the DVD player*

Sarah: *sits down on the couch, still holding the cat--she sets him down on her lap, and pets him*

Nate: *plays the movie, then sits down next to Sarah to watch* :)

Ozzy: *purrs in Sarah's lap, nuzzling her*

Sarah: *watches the movie, petting Ozzy* :)

Nate: *Watches with Sarah. He puts an arm around her shoulders* :)

Ozzy: *purrs in Sarah's lap*

Sarah: *scoots a bit closer to Nate, careful not to disturb Ozzy too much*

Nate: *he smiles at Sarah* :)

Ozzy: *is not disturbed*

Sarah: *smiles back, and rests her head on his shoulder*

Nate: *he leans in and kisses Sarah*

Ozzy: *hops off Sarah to his scratching post*

Sarah: *lets him... and after a few moments, she kisses him back*

Nate: *he nuzzles Sarah, fully believing that she really has no reason to reject him*

meanwhile

Sam: *decides to try calling Sarah one final time this night, unaware that she's silenced her cell phone*

Sarha: *obviously doesn't answer the phone. she nuzzles Nate back, trying to push Sam out of her mind completely*

Nate: *he kisses Sarah again*

meanwhile

Sam: *leaves yet another message, this time mumbling it. He's exhausted. He's hungry, as he hasn't eaten very much today* ... You know... you know, Sarah... it's kinda funny how this all turned out... I mean... your father dies, you move on with your life... my father dies, I throw a huge fit and... and lose you... so I guess that makes you the stronger of us... and here's me with the job that makes me risk my neck every time I work on the streets... here's me, taking down crime lords and chasing after serial killers... me, the big, blubbering LOSER... nothing but a loser to you, Sarah... *he then hangs up and sobs*

Sarah: *kisses him back, deciding to focus on her earlier memories with Nate instead. they went well together--if it hadn't been for her father's disapproval, who knows how they would have ended up?*

Nate: *he strokes Sarah's cheek as he kisses her, nuzzling her a bit, hoping she isn't TOO bothered with his beard, as he hoped long before*

Sarah: *isn't too bothered by it at all--frankly, she really didn't particularly care at the moment. she just needed the comfort of HAVING someone... she kisses and nuzzles him in return, glad that she had found him when she did*

Nate: *he continues this, kissing her, nuzzling her, rubbing her shoulders, and then breaks the kiss, whispering to her* ... Do you want to...?

Sarah: *looks at him for a moment, then nods, afraid that if she opens her mouth, she'll spill out the truth instead*

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Nate: *gets on his motorcycle outside and waits for Sarah to get on after him* :)

Sarah: *hops on the motorcycle behind him, wrapping her arms around his waist* Ready. :)

Nate: Then here we go ~ *rides off with Sarah*

Sarah: *hangs on tightly, reminded of how often they'd go off on random little trips all those years ago... but she's also reminded of those few rides she took with Sam... no no no, she couldn't think of him right now. that was over*

Nate: *he rides over to a small apartment, getting his keys out and opening the door with one of them*

Grey Tabby Cat: *meows at Nate*

Nate: Heya Ozzy, little guy... :D Wazzup?

Ozzy: Mroowwrr...!

Sarah: *enters the apartment after him* ...? Hey! I didn't know you had a cat. :O *kneels down and holds a hand out to Ozzy* :D?

Ozzy: *sniffs Sarah's hand, then rubs his face against it*

Nate: Yeah - named him after the great, always-remembered Ozzy Osborn. I adopted him. When I'm away, a friend of mine takes care of him. :)

Sarah: *pets Ozzy* Well, that's nice of them. ^^ Ozzy's adorable. :3

Nate: Well, thank you. ^^ *shuts the door*

Ozzy: *keeps rubbing his face against Sarah's hand*

Sarah: ...I think Ozzy likes me. :D *peeeets him* Will he let me pick him up, or does he not like it? <:P

Nate: Oh, no, he's fine with that, as long as you hold him like a baby. ^^

Ozzy: *purrs*

Sarah: *grins, and picks Ozzy up, cradling him in her arms* You're a good kitty, aren't you~

Ozzy: *purrs*

Nate: So... what now, hm?

Sarah: ...I dunno... I'm the guest, I'm okay with whatever YOU wanna do. <:P

Nate: Ah... uh... movie? I've got movies. ^^;

Sarah: Movies are good. :) I'll watch anything you want. ^^

Nate: I might have one with you in it. Not that I would notice you, since the editors always do such a good job. ^^;

Sarah: Honestly, I can't even notice MYSELF half the time. <:P Go ahead, put something in. I'm seriously okay with just about anything. :)

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Nate: Ah... so it's THAT kind of thing... <:/ I'm sorry, I shouldn't of butt in...

Sarah: No, it's okay... Really, I appreciate the concern. <:)

Nate: Hey, alright... that's a better response than I expected - sometimes I just get smacked or punched. ^^;

Sarah: For worrying about someone? That's just silly. D:/

Nate: Some people... they don't like being bothered. ^^;

Sarah: Well, that makes sense... but since when have I rejected your concern? <:/

Nate: Ohhh I dunno... it's been a while, and people can change. <:P *he drinks his beer, then takes a bite of burger*

Sarah: I guess you're right. *drinks water* ... *nibbles on a rib, her appetite slowly vanishing*

Nate: You'll feel a lot better over at my place, don't you worry. <:)

Sarah: *nods, smiling, grateful for his willingness to help... he couldn't know. he couldn't know what was really going on... at least.. not until it was all over*

Nate: *drinks some more beer* ^^

Waiter: Done here?

Sarah: ? Oh, yeah. I'm done....

Nate: Same here. :)

Waiter: Alright. *takes their plates* I'll come around with the check in a few minutes.

Sarah: Thank you. :) *turns back to Nate* ...Thanks for this, by the way.

Nate: Don't thank me, I'm just happy t'see you again. ^^

Sarah: It's really nice to see you too. <:) *sighs* Just wish it had been under better circumstances. <:/

Nate: Well... it's the meeting that counts, not what came before. <:)

Waiter: *hands them the check*

Nate: *gets out his wallet and pays for both dinners* ^^

Sarah: *laughs a bit, enjoying his general cheerfulness. it was a nice switch...*

Nate: *laughs a little with her*

Waiter: *comes back*

Nate: Here. :P *gives the waiter the check*

Waiter: Thank you. *walks off*

Nate: Alright! Let's go! >:D

Sarah: :P *steps out of the booth, and goes outside with Nate* :)

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Nate: *eats* So... ah... you're not dating anyone right now... are you, Sarah?

Sarah: ...Nope... *technically, she isn't lying... though the ring in her pocket suddenly feels a lot heavier*

Nate: So... so would you be willing to, uh... I dunno, travel with me? After I'm done hanging around home for a bit?

Sarah: ...Maybe after I'm done with this job, yeah. *if she ans Sam really ARE over....*

Nate: Hey, awesome! It'll be nice to be officially together again, y'know? <:)

meanwhile

Sam: *he tries calling Sarah again, now a bit more sober*

Sarah: Yeah... yeah, it would. *at least he isn't a helpless drunk--she feels her cell phone go off again, and pulls it out. (oh, speak of the devil...) she hits "ignore" again, and sets the phone to silent* mh.

Nate: Who was that? :/

meanwhile

Sam: *again, he gets the answering machine, the same pre-recorded message. He responds with a shaking voice, a dead giveaway that he's been crying* ... Sarah... Sarah, please... please just come home... I'm sorry... I'm SORRY... I admit it... I just completely fracked up... I'm a MORON and I fracked up EVERYTHING we had... th-this is Sam b-by the way... *he hangs up*

Sarah: *shoves the phone back in her pocket* The person I'm avoiding...

Nate: Ohh... well, maybe after you don't freaking pick up, he or she will learn his or her lesson and stop being a complete dick or whatever. :/

Sarah: Yeah... hopefully... *eats some more* ...

Nate: ... You okay? <:/

Sarah: I'm fine... I just wish i didnt have to avoid them. We were really good friends...

Nate: ... Well... those things happen... maybe you two can be friends again later, when you two cool down. Or something like that.

Sarah: ...I don't think that's going to happen...

Nate: Well, why not? I mean, you two were really good friends, like you said... <:(

Sarah: ...I don't know if this can be fixed. <:/

Nate: What in HELL could be SO BAD that you can't possibly forgive each other? <:/

Sarah: ...I really don't want to talk about it. Let's just say that some incredibly hurtful things were said and they can't be taken back.

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Nate: And that's very very good. ^^

Sarah: Mhmm... We had a bit of help, but... *drinks some water, and sighs* ...God, I can't think of anything to talk about. D:

Nate: Well, it's been a pretty long time... <:/

Sarah: I know... you'd think I'd be able to come up with something. D;

Nate: Uhh... how'sabout you tell me about your latest job? What movie was or is it? :)

Sarah: Oh! well, the last film i was in got done a few months ago, it was um... Run. I'm pretty sure that should be coming out soon.... and then, I started work on another one just this morning. Ever heard of Instant Overkill?

Nate: Uhhh... that's the one action flick thing right? ^^;

Sarah: Yes. Well, don't tell anyone, but... *dramatically glances around, then leans in and whispers* There's gonna be a sequel. o____o

Nate: Well! That IS a very interesting thing! :D ... I mean... *cautiously looks around, then whispers* That's very cool - can't wait to see it...!

Sarah: *laughs, and sits back up* Heheh... but yeah, that's what I'm up to now. <:P How about you, do you have any plans?

Nate: Meh, no. I kinda live in the "now", you know? So far, all I've gotten to his "come back home for a while". <:P

Waiter: *comes back with their food and sets it down in front of them*

Nate: Oh AWESOME! :D

Sarah: :D *thanks the waiter, then goes to cut her ribs in half* Oookay, so you get half of these...

Nate: And you get half of my burger! ^^ *cuts his burger in half*

Sarah: Yay! :D *passes half of the ribs over to Nate's plate* ^^

Nate: *gives Sarah half the burger in return* ^^ Alright! *starts eating*

Sarah: *also eats* Oh wow, this is actually really good. :D I need to come here more often!

Nate: See? I TOLD you! XP *eats*

Sarah: That you did. :P *eeeeats*

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Nate: Heheh, alright then. :P

Waiter: *comes back with the drinks* Are you ready to order?

Nate: Uhh, we need some more time. D:

Waiter: Alright. *walks off*

Nate: Jeez, I never thought to look at the menu. D:

Sarah: Yeah, whoops. D: *takes a menu, and flips through it* Hmm... I haven't come here before, do you know what's good? :/

Nate: Well, they make pretty damn good ribs, that's what I can say to that. Ribs and burgers. Yup. Hell, I'll probably get a bacon cheeseburger tonight - can't get enough bacon. ;D

Sarah: Heheh... ribs it is. :P

Nate: I'll share some of my burger if you share some of your ribs. Or just one. :P

Sarah: *smiles* I'm good with sharing. ^^

Nate: Great - now we can have both. :) ... uh... soo... hrm... haha, I'm trying to think of something to talk about, here... sooo... so what's you opinion on Lieutenant Gatzsky number two's running of things? I dunno if you're into politics or not, but... uh... well, I dunno. :P

Sarah: *tries very VERY hard not to let her smile drop* Oh, I don't really have much of an opinion on it...

Nate: Oh yeah? I only sorta-care, mainly because it effects how we live our lives or whatever. My personal opinion on that is that Gatzsky's done NOTHING for a LONG time... I wouldn't be surprised if someone took over, what with randomly cutting the soldiers's pay in half, then suddenly changing it back, and all those slow days where he doesn't even WORK (and I've been hearing this from guards around the city)... I'd say Harry and Claire Gatzsky were much better at their job before the mister Gatsky went nuts and nearly dragged us into a war with France. :/

Sarah: Mnhh... I guess I was just too busy with work to notice...

Nate: *shrugs* That can happen. Boring stuff, anyway.

Waiter: Ready to order now?

Nate: Yup - I'd like a bacon-cheeseburger, please. :)

Sarah: I'll have the BBQ ribs, please. ^^

Waiter: Alright, *takes the menus from them* They'll be ready soon. *he then walks off*

Nate: ... Wow, I'm looking at you and I still can't believe you're here... this is just AMAZING to see you again. :D

Sarah: Yeah... It's really nice to see you too. :) Especially after um... all that... X(

Nate: Oh, well, that's the past. And... and what really matters is that we're here now, and talking, and good friends. <:)

Sarah: ... *nods* Right. <:)

Nate: So... how's your mom? She doing well?

Sarah: Oh yeah, she's doing great... doing pretty well after dad died...

Nate: Well, that's really good to hear, especially since... well, they were really close, weren't they? <:/

Sarah: Extremely close... she was hurting badly for a while... but we pulled through. <:)

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Nate: Well, that's very mature of you... *he places his hand on top of hers, giving her a reassuring smile* ... So... so how long has it been...? Two years...? Three...?

Sarah: *glances up when he does this, then looks back down again* ...Around three, if I recall correctly...

Nate: It's been hella long, yeah... so... hey, if you're up to it, you can come over to my place. This person you're avoiding can't possibly look for you there, right?

Sarah: ...Right... yeah, I'm up for it.

Nate: Hey, awesome! I can pay for dinner here, too - you look really worn out. <:/

Sarah: Sorry, just a bit tired... you really don't have to do that, you know...

Nate: No, I totally have to do that. I mean - we have't seen each other in FOREVER! THREE years!

Sarah: Well, okay... if you insist, I won't argue. <:/

Nate: Hey, c'mon... you know I can't deal with a frowny face like that, Sarah... try to smile, at least a little... please? <:)

Sarah: *laughs a bit at this, cracking a smile* Okaaay...

Nate: Haha! Good! You frown for too long in front of me, and I'll have a nervous breakdown. ;D

Waiter: Would you like to order drinks?

Nate: Sure, I'll have bud light, if you have it.

Waiter: We do. And for you, ma'am?

Sarah: Just water, please...

Waiter: Alright, I'll come back with your drinks in a few minutes. *walks off*

Nate: So... What've you been up to these last few years? <:P

Sarah: Oh... just work, mostly. Running around, throwing myself off buildings. <:P What about you?

Nate: ... I've been traveling all over the country with a motorcycle gang called the Shadow Eagles. *he points to his bandanna, which had a silhouette of an eagle on it* I decided to travel a bit on my own for a while, then I came back home, here. Well, not the pub. But you know what I mean.

Sarah: Heh... yeah, I know what you mean. But wow, that sounds like quite an adventure...

Nate: Ohh it was. It really was. Heheh... but really, can't be as fun as running around on roofs for a JOB...

Sarah: Hey, I've ridden on motorcycles before, I can say that THAT'S pretty awesome too. :P

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