Like the Moon

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden laughed. "Naw never could get myself a den father." he said and winked at her. He looked back at her as they headed out of the building. He started to head toward town houses near by. "Town houses are one of the best places left. The early people raided the apartment and then the houses but the town houses were pretty much left alone. Don't know why but they are a secret treasure hold now." he said

---

Avery smiled softly and pulled out some food from Jake's pack and she made sure everyone got some before sitting down next to Jake and sitting her drink. "Jake... You know you didn't have to come." she said softly. "I mean I am so glad you did but this is my journey and my task. I know none of you wanted me to go back to the group. Even to help Chip." she said.

@ Jinx...
Laney shook her head, before listening to what he had to say about town houses. "That I do know." She smirked at him. "For food maybe, but they don't have much medical or a variety of clothing." She informed him. "Unless you like the lingerie selection." She rolled her eyes, knowing a few guys had made suggestions about her modeling them.

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Jake thanked her for the food, but waited until she sat down, before taking a bite. "That's where you're wrong." He informed her. "I like you, and I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you." He told her, it might not have been a confession of love. But at least she was aware of his feelings. "And what task are you talking about, because the last time I checked Chip is a grown ass man and can walk, he's just choosing to be carried." He told her.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden smiled and laughed. "I just don't think it would fit right on me now do you?" he asked and smirked opening up the first door with a kick. He stepped aside to let her in first. He grinned and went in after her looking around and headed to the kitchen. "Anything you think is useful would be great." he said and smiled. "And Laney..." he grabbed her gently looking into her eyes. "Be careful." he said and slipped into he kitchen.

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Avery blushed and smiled as he said he liked her. She had never had a guy say that before. She leaned forward so close to him and kissed his cheek. "I like you too." she said and that was when Chip stood. "Avery! Stand back!" he yelled angry. "Luke won't have this and it's my job to make sure you get back to him." Avery stood and slapped him. "Shut it Chip! Right now I am the only one who is going to take care of you so you just shut it! It is not your job to be in charge of me and Luke is not my boyfriend so he has no say over my love life ether!" she said and looked down at him on the ground. "Eat and then get ready to go!" she said and walked back to Jake shaking as she sat beside him. She had never done that before.

@ Jinx...
Laney laughed out shaking her head, before raising a brow at how he kicked down the door. She moved through the house, her heart thumping in her chest, she knew his warning hadn't been to scare her. But now her heart was beating rapidly in her ears, and she knew it was because she was excited by the thought of danger and the look he'd given her. Nibbling on her lip she moved to the master bath, knowing it they had any drugs that were useful they'd be there. After raiding the cabinet and finding some alcohol and pain med she moved into the bedroom. Browsing through the dressers.

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Jake sat there speachless watching her put him in her place. Smiling softly at her as she sat back down beside him. Placing his hand on her shoulder as a comforting jester. "This is why I'm here, I don't trust him and the more I hear about this Luke guy, I don't trust him either." He informed her. Shaking his head, "I still don't understand why you're so he'll bent on helping him get back." He wished she would tell him the real reason why she wanted to go back.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden smiled hearing Laney's heart beat accelerate. She liked him and he liked her a lot. Haden smiled and rummaged through the kitchen also grabbing a nice pan. He grinned not finding much cans but at least he got some other things. He went through the living room and the down stairs bathroom. He came out and waited down the stairs for Laney listening to her up there. Already she seemed to be better now that she knew she never had to go back. She laughed more and he was intent to keep it that way.

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Avery smiled and nodded. "I know." she said and sighed finishing up some food then took her water and drank some more. "I am going to go use the trees..." she said and bit her lip. "Stay." she said and smiled gently then she slipped into the trees. She had to go potty. It wasn't long until she came back but she saw the look on Jake's face. "What? What happened?"

@ Jinx...
Laney smirked finding a pair of silk boxers, she didn't know if they'd fit him but there was nothing wrong with teasing. Walking down the stairs she noticed he was standing in the hall way waiting on her. "I think I found something you might like." She teased him throwing the boxers in his face, as she walked past him and out of the house. She just chuckled to herself imagining his face.

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Jake frowned when Avery left them alone. Chip started laughing at him, "you know she'd been fucking Luke for years, you really think the man's gonna let her go." Jake balled his fist, knowing it was a lie. But it still pissed him off, glaring at the man. "See that's why you're single, you only see women as items." He shook with anger, wanting to faze and kill him and then blame it on a wolf attack. Hearing Avery he tried to calm his breathing, but he knew she could read the anger on his face. "Nothing." He informed her trying to keep from snapping at her too.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden peeled the clothing from his face and looked at it and then started to laugh. He stuffed them in his bag making a mental note to wash them and wear them for her sometime. He came out and shook his head. "My you took me seriously." he said and laughed. "I like you maybe we'll have to keep you around." he teased and headed to the next town house.

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Avery frowned and walked over to him and took his hand. "Don't lie to me." she said softly and caressed his cheek seeing pain under all that anger. She looked confused but then pulled away. "I think it's time you pull your own weight Chip." she said and helped him up. "Come on walk." she said and picked up the backpack. She bit her lip and looked at Jake and bit her lip frowning. He was really upset.

@ Jinx...
Laney laughed out shaking her head. "Really and you haven't even seen if I'm useful yet." She said tsked him. "Wel I don't do laundry." She chuckled teasingly, not knowing weather or not he kept the boxers. "Though I'm a good forger." She smiled.

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Jake watched as she made Chips walk on his own. "What are we doing when we meet up with your group?" He asked her, talking softly to her alone. He didn't want Chip to hear, because honestly he was tempted to grab her arm and drag her back to her sister. But he would never force her to do anything she didn't want to.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden laughed. "Oh right you are Laney." he listened to her and and then pretended to gape at her. "You don't do laundry?" but he couldn't keep a straight face and he smiled. "I guess I will have to find other work for you then... I never asked your last name." he said and looked at her waiting to hear the maiden name of the woman who's only name he ever wished to change.

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Avery smiled seeing Chip limping forward. She knew it probably wan't that good for his ankle but a little bit would do wonders for his humility. She looked at Jake as he talked with her. It was clear she had only one thing on her mind then but she said more than that. When her hand reached to her neck again it was as if she was reaching for something that would usually be there that wasn't. "Well I want to pack my things and my sister. Then if it is safest to leave then I guess we will." she said knowing she won't get everything in her backpack but a few sentimental things she wanted to bring. She had already lost so many things.

@ Jinx...
Laney smiled at his dorkiness, she was enjoying the time she spent with him and her sister wasn't plaguing her mind. "Collens." She told him furrowing her brows, he was the first one to ask that. "It really doesn't matter now does it?" She questioned him, it wasn't like you could get married unless you could find a wedding officiant to marry you. And now a days most people weren't very open about being able to preform marriages.

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Jake bit his lip, she was agreeing to come back with him. It was a relief to hear, but he still had worries about Luke. From the sound of it he wasn't going to let her leave peacefully. "I don't like it, but I guess if you have to well I'll be by your side." He told her. He didn't like that he was walking into a group that was armed and dangerous. Though he might have had a gun too, it didn't changes that he was going to be out numbered. And as much as he wanted to trust Avery, the nagging feeling in the back of his mind kept reminding him of Laney and her warning about Luke. If there was any decent people in the group then she'd be able to leave peacefully.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden smiled. "Aww well you see Laney sometimes I just want to call you by your last name for the hell of it." he said and smiled winking at her. Haden listened to her talk and smiled. So she wanted to get married one day. "Aww well you see another way to get married is to have a caption of a ship do it and there are still priest out there. I know a few myself. If you wanted to get married there is more than one way to skin a potato." he smirking. Haden ruffled her hair and then walked into the next building going into the kitchen looking for cans. "Jackpot! Hey Laney see if you can find another backpack."

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Avery smiled and took his hand again. "You aren't very good at trusting people are you?" she asked and chuckled. She patted his hand and let go. She knew Luke would try to stop her but Jarod and Sage would be on her side and those were the two people that everyone listened to more than Luke. It was how she stayed safe to begin with. Being Sage's apprentice made her safe. Avery smiled knowing it was dangerous but there was something she had left for safe keeping that she could't leave without.

@ Jinx...
Laney rolled her eyes at him, she didn't necessarily wanted to get married she just didn't see the point of last names any more. "I'm not stupid, you ditz." She told him shaking her head and straightening out her hair. "I was just getting at you don't find many people now a days that can do those things, and if you do it's rare or they die." She told him, before walking into the kitchen behind. Grabbing one of the bags she found at the other house she threw it at him. It was a bit small than a backpack. "And I'm not your servant." She said resting against the counter, this place wasn't really good for anything but food, so she didn't need to move off and find things.

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Jake smiled at her, "it's kind of hard to trust somebody you've never meet." He told her, not knowing how she had missed that lesson. Though he kept it to himself. "And hearing about how Luke is such piss of shit and won't let you leave, does have me on edge." He informed her. "I'm an outsider, taking you away." He shrugged, "they might not be so understanding of it." He shook his head. "And if Chip and Luke can convince the others we're holding Laney against her will and that's why you're going back with us, it turns bad fast." He said.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden turned and set everything down. He frowned and moved over to her standing in front of her. "No your not... And I apologize if I made you feel that way. I never want to make you feel like you have to do something because I say so. But I make mistakes so you do have to tell me when I make them. Because I never want to make you feel that way. You can do what ever you like Laney. I may ask you to do things that sound like orders but I never ever expect you to do them if you don't want to. But if you are in danger I may freak a little... because now that you are joining out group you are my responsibility. And I don't take your trust, even the little you give me for granted. I want only to earn more of it so that if ever there is a dangerous time you will trust me enough to listen to me." he said and looked down. "So if I made you feel any less than my equal forgive me please..." he said very serious. It was obvious that her trust was one of the most important things to him.

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Avery frowned and nodded. "I know but I trust Sage and Jared is a good man. He took me and Laney in when he didn't have to and have always stuck up for us when it was the worst of times for him to do so. I trust them. I don't trust Luke or Chip but I plan on getting done before they have a chance to conduct an outrageous scheme." Avery said and stopped. "And I am not asking you to trust them... just me. Trust me." she said her eyes sad. It was becoming obvious she knew the dangerous and yet she had to do this for some reason she was't telling.

@ Jinx...
Laney felt her breath catch in her throat at how close he was to her. But when the words left his mouth she felt like she was swooning over him. He wasn't like any guy she'd meet before, placing her hands on his chest she looked up at him. "I was only joking." She informed him, softly. But she felt that even if it had been a joke it breached a boundary with them. One that was touchy with him, but he's words made her understand just where she stood with him. And even though she wasn't sure before when he told her she would have a say so, she was now. Leaning forward she closed the gap between them. Placing her lips on his, something she'd never done before. But it just seemed like it was something she had to do.

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Jake placed his hand under her chin, searching her eyes. "I do trust you." He said seriously, knowing that could have taken years for others to earn his, but she was completely different. "But this has nothing to do with trusting you." He told her. "You in danger, it what this is about, and I can't take a chance on your safety." He sighed, wanted nothing more than to make her believe and fully understand him. But she didn't share the strength of his feelings. "If anything happened to you," he shook his head before looking away from her. It was even painful to think about. "I can't explain it." He told her looking back at her, knowing he was no good with words. But he hoped she would understand him, knowing that he'd give his life to save hers.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden put his hands over hers on his chest lightly and smiled softly. He was glad she she was only joking but he wanted to make sure. Haden watched her and was surprised as her lips met him and he stood very still but his lips moved passionately to hers. He kissed her lovingly feeling their connection growing in that kiss and he knew she felt it to. She had no idea what that kiss meant to him. He pulled back after a little. He was breathless and he looked down. "Don't kiss me like that unless you mean it that way." he said in a whisper afraid to scare her off. He didn't want her to take this lightly though because a relationship with him was;t like other relationships and it could break them if they were not careful.

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Avery felt herself melt into him as he said he trusted her. He then went on to say she was in danger and he had to take care of her. Yada yada. she sighed and pulled back. For once she wished someone would believe in her. Avery nodded. "I know Jake. Everyone who meets me says that. They all feel the need to protect me. And were sometimes it is nice and I am grateful... I just need..." she looked away. "I just need someone who believed in my, in what ever I do. I need someone to believe that I can do it." she said and sighed. "Please don't make this harder than it is. I am already scared but I have things at that camp that I can't leave behind." she said and then quickly walked after Chip seeing how he had gotten a ways away in the time they were talking. People always thought that because she was so innocent and trusting that she needed protection but no one ever taught her how to protect herself instead of trying to protect her.

@ Jinx...
Laney stared up at him unsure what she should do, she was scared. Scared that he wasn't who he said he was. Something was nagging her, biting her lip she pulled away. "I'm sorry." She told him before quickly exiting the kitchen, she rushed out side. And rested against the building, she couldn't believe she'd kissed him. It felt amazing, and she didn't know what to think now. But something was different, and she could feel it. She just didn't trust herself to know weather or not it was a put on or not.

---

Jake blinked and frowned when she dissappeared. Turning he followed her, racking his brain trying to understand how he wound up in the dog house. Shaking his head, he didn't understand why she felt that he couldn't trust her . Because that's what it boiled down to could he trust her enough to take care of herself. She'd been doing a good job so far so why doubt her now. Moving he caught up with her rather quickly. "I didn't mean to upset you." He informed her. "I just don't know if you understand how dangerous things can get." He told her. "At times you act like people can do no wrong. And it worries me, but I know you and Laney have been taking care of yourselves for a while now, and I was just basically thinking you'd like it if somebody took care of you once in a while." He informed her, he wanted her to understand that she needed to know how to take care of herself, but at the same time it was nice to depend on others. "But anyways just know I'm here if you need me." He bit his lip deciding he'd let her take control, even if it was the hardest thing he had to do, he'd follow her, but carefully make sure nothing happened.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden frowned as she pulled away. He watched her go and sighed before turning back to the task at hand. It was good for her to think about this. He ran a hand through his hair and picked up his bag. He came out of the house and forced a smiled. "Ready?" he asked teasingly and walked over to her his smile fading for a second before it was back and he smiled. Haden grinned and they started to head back to the hotel. Sunset was soon coming.

---

Avery smiled at him. "I'm not upset..." she said not really upset in the worst sense of it. She listened to him and sighed. "That's just it Jake no one ever let me take care of myself... even Laney." she said and sighed. "And it is not that I see people as perfect it's that I choose not to hold humanity's crimes against them. I let each person prove who they are." she said and nodded bitting her lip. She touched his shoulder . "I know you are and I appreciate it." she said and smiled dropping her hand and just enjoying the walk. "We are almost there. "If we keep going we will make it a little after night fall."

@ Jinx...
Laney nodded to him, not wanting to speak at the moment. She felt like a complete fool. Letting herself be swept up in stupid emotions. Never had a guy talked to her the way he did, they all either treated her like the guys or as if she was a piece of meat. Biting her lip she followed him back to the hotel, wondering how awkward things were going to be. She didn't want things to go back to how they were, but after that kiss. It was almost all in or not, kind of deal. She felt that she couldn't just test the waters, which would be more of her style than just jumping.

---

Jake listened to her, knowing how she felt finally. Now that she had told him the real problem instead of beating around the bush. He was more at ease with his decision to stand by her while she lead. "I guess we both still have a lot to learn about each other." He informed her, "and honestly I'm glad that Laney protected you." He informed her. "You wouldn't be who you are today if it wasn't for her." He said, though he had a feeling she would still be meant for him even if she was hardened by the world around her. "Well let's hope people are in bed then." He muttered to himself. He might be able to knock Chips out, while Avery collected her things. Then they'd be able to make a clean get away.

@ Bongs Before Bibles
Haden sighed. He messed it up. Now she was mad and confused. He ran a hand through his hair. "I just meant..." he stopped her and held her hand. "I just meant that I don't wanna be a fling. I want you to take me serious. It doesn't mean we have to go fast or anything. We don't have to label it but I like you...I like having you around." he said and shrugged. "Does that make sense?" he asked as he dropped that bag in the living room. He smiled shyly.

---

"Me too but it's my turn now." Avery said and grinned. "And I wouldn't be the same no but I would still be me." she said and smiled at him trying to get him to relax and trust her. She had been preparing to take care of herself for her entire life. Avery shook her head. "No they will be gathered around the fires cooking what they caught that day for the next week." she said and walked with him watching the sun setting as they grew ever closer.