I place a hand on yours. "No Jams that is not silly at all. I'm actually rather touched." I pause and give you a warm smile. "She's beautiful and you've become rather handsome. If you don't mind me prying... What happened to her?"

*I look up again* Thank you. As for what happened to her... I... *I take a knife and gently slide it across the table* You can... Figure out the rest... *I look down, then I look up again, and stare at you* Can you... take the picture, Zara. Please? I kept it because it reminded me of the time before all this... but I want you to have it. She's... gone, now, but you're still here. Maybe, one day, you can give it back to me. For now... think of it as... A family portrait. Can you do this for me? *My eyes widen*

A shiver runs down my spine as you mention the young ladies end. My heart though goes out to you. "Yes Jams, I can do this for you." I take the picture carefully, then I study your face. Family is not a foreign thing to me, but to be making such close relations under these circumstances. I am continually amazed and cherish each moment with my comrades. "Whenever you want it back, let me know."

*I breath a sigh of relief* Thank you, Zara. This means more to mean than you can imagine. *I resume sipping my tea* I've almost forgotten what this is like. Just.... talking. Relaxing. We don't get much time off.. which isn't bad I suppose.. but sometimes you need to ground yourself, you know? Realize that we aren't purely killing machines. Sometimes... with my gear on and my gun in arms, I feel... not human. *Shakes head* Listen to me, complaining... again. *Sips tea* Anything interesting going on with you, Zara? Not with work... with you. How are YOU?

I smile and sit back, realizing your words about relaxing are so true. "Amen, it is nice to sit and enjoy this hard won life for a bit. All those troubles fade away." I look out the window and sigh. "Yeah I'm ok. I think Gingers death got the best of me for a moment. I honestly wanted to have a fit long enough to drive everyone insane like when Lethal would cry and whine or others complain of boredom. Couldn't bring myself to be that bad though. I take a sip of tea. "If there are still friends to fight alongside, if there are still friends to shoulder the burden with then I think we are responsible to fight for life and continue on." Pausing I laugh a little. "It was though rather amusing ignoring the new Ginger and then the drama there that ensued. That was amusing in some demented way." I sip my tea with a grin.

*I laugh* You still have your sense of humor, Zara. *I lean back in my chair* Can we... stay like this? Just stay here? Like this? It's so nice... *I laugh at myself* What am I saying... Well, it's good to hear you're doing well, Zara. And listen to me when I say this. *I lean in closer* You're our backbone. If the team is the table, you're the legs. Everything you said, everyone else agrees, one hundred percent. Just... Don't do that to us again. We were worried... *I sip my tea again*

Joining you in laughter I really do appreciate your response. "Thank you Jams. I promise I won't. You guys are too important to me." I sip some more tea and sigh. "You know if life could be like this there would be no more war in the world. Just friends enjoying each others company. It's really nice. Being out there fighting for our lives... It really puts a new perspective on life. You never forget these subtle moments. But you are right. I do need to check on the intel Python brought back." I sigh again. "If only, if only~"

You know what they say about war: [i]Only the dead have seen the end of war.[/i] Anyway, I won't take up any more of your time. You are busy, like you mentioned. *I finish up my tea, and stand up* Talk to you later, Zara. This was enjoyable, we should do this again. *I hug you briefly, then walk back out into the hallway* *I turn back and say:* Now, get back to work. *I smile and walk away*