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Kimberly Corman hearts nerds ([info]cheatingdeath) wrote in [info]vas_captio_rpg,
@ 2009-12-09 12:25:00

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Day Thirty, afternoon
Who: Kimberly Corman, Connor Temple, and eventually Andy Gallagher and Elliot Reid
What: Gettin' some grub
When: Day 30, afternoon
Where: The Gym
Rating: PG-13?
Status: Active


This would be the first time Kimberly was willingly leaving the safe haven she and Connor had created in the library. Kimberly was anxious with worry. The fact that the last time she'd left, while it was through no control of her own, she and Connor had ended up in tanks, fighting for their lives and she'd lost the war was enough to deter her. It was cold as hell and Kimberly was freezing just thinking about leaving the barely-there warmth of their Safe Room just to venture into the main room again, never mind outside. But, Connor said there was food and Kimberly hadn't eaten in days. The one day she'd actually had food, the interaction between she, Connor, and Spencer had made her lose her appetite. By the time she'd gotten it back, it was too late.

Wrapping her arms around herself, Kimberly hung back from the door. "I really hope that the thrift store you keep talking about is on the way from here to the gym...I'm gonna freeze," she murmured quietly. Her heart was racing with that familiar panic of knowing she was about to do something that might end up being her last something. Hypothermia. Frost bite. Pneumonia. God she was so screwed...

"What would I have to do to get you to leave me here and bring things back to me?" she asked pathetically, giving him a weak, sheepish smile that said she was only half-joking. By the time Connor managed to bring anything back, even if it had been the theater instead, it would've been ice cold and barely worth eating, anyway, she figured.

There was really no getting out of going with Connor and she did want to spend more time with him. She just kept looking back at the clothes Connor was wearing - with perhaps a touch of jealousy or envy in her eyes - and wishing she'd been taken from someplace other than her bed. Tank top and pajama pants in the winter. Totally unfair.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-10 03:24 am UTC (link)
In fairness, Connor felt badly, dragging her around when she was obviously scared. But he was so determined nothing would happen to her that he felt sure she needed to get out and meet people. Andy seemed a safe place to start, too, as Connor knew how afraid Andy was about hurting and getting hurt, whether he'd admit it out loud or not. His connection to Luna had proven that, at least to Connor. And as much as he hated to say it, Kimberly needed her share of friends around there that weren't him, people she could lean on if...well. In that hell hole they all lived in, no one knew what each day brought. She'd woken up alone the day before, and he'd been separated from her, like it or not. What if they made that happen long term? Or what if the worst happened? He wouldn't be able to sleep easily until he knew at the very least his friends were hers and she had people on her side.

Winking, he grinned a little when she asked if she should be jealous. That flicker of 'what would Andy do?' ran through his head, and he pushed it away. What Andy would do was be himself. Win or lose. Even if Connor was very used to losing. "I had no idea you were so interested in Andy already," he teased Kimberly, releasing her hand as she stepped away.

He watched her go, feeling relatively confident she'd be alright. After all, he was only a few feet away, and the gym seemed relatively safe in comparison to some other locations. He just had to stay on his guard was all. When she was safely over to the food, he turned to Andy, shooting him a grin before grabbing the offered burger. His look was nearly bashful as he took his first bite. "Damn, was starting to think I'd never get one of those again," he said, though he knew that wouldn't be the end of it. Andy was bound to ask questions or something. But at least he didn't start it.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-10 03:35 am UTC (link)
Andy watched Connor with interest when he replied to Kimberly's joke. He was also watching the way that Kimberly had shrunk against Connor; the way she squeezed his hand before she walked away. Either she was terrified of him for no reason that he could think of - because, shit, Stegs didn't know about his mind thing, so some chick he was shacking up with likely wouldn't - or she was into the guy. "Not to be a heartbreaker, but..." he started regretfully, resting a hand on Connor's shoulder, "I don't swing your way, bro," he teased, giving the other man's shoulder a squeeze before stepping back. He tipped his head slightly to the side and watched Kimberly retreat, looking impressed before looking back at Connor with raised eyebrows.

It seemed that Connor thought he was going to get away with tucking into that burger and not having to explain the sudden confidence that was making Andy so very proud of his friend. Not, of course, that Andy would ever tell Stegs that. "Not bad, Stegs, I gotta tell ya," he said quietly, sitting down again and picking up his plate. "Not too bad at all," he added with a grin, nodding in Kimberly's direction subtly.

There was a short pause before Andy opened his mouth and asked the inevitable. "When'd you grow a set, anyway? Where the hell was I? I didn't get the memo," he joked, taking a bite of a slice of pizza and trying to ignore the fact that it was reminding him of the Ninja Turtles for no real reason at all other than the fact that Connor reminded him of the Ninja Turtles and Michaelangelo had been the one obsessed with pizza. "Seriously though? Way to bag a hottie," he said in a low voice, giving Connor a nod with an expression that read only of the highest respect for his friend.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-10 03:46 am UTC (link)
Rolling his eyes, Connor shrugged, chewing for a little while before he answered. Not because he needed to think. Hell, he knew Kimberly was gorgeous. And actually seemed into him. But really, it was just fun to make Andy wonder. Besides which, he really was just grateful to have real food. He'd eat one of everything if he weren't all but certain he'd be sick as a dog later.

Finally, he glanced up at Andy, the smirk on his face impossible to miss. He hoped he didn't look smug, because he wasn't, honestly. Yeah, there was a chance Kimberly might actually like him. After all, he'd kissed her and she hadn't run screaming. Or slapped him, which he figured was a plus. But there was just as good a chance she'd find someone she liked better or she'd decide he was better as 'just a friend'. God knew Connor had heard that one enough.

So he just smiled at Andy and shook his head when he swallowed. "Don't know what you're talking about. She needed a place to stay, I found one, never left. We're just friends." Friends who'd kissed a time or two. Was that what happened when you nearly died with someone? He was pretty sure being chased by velociraptors counted as nearly dying, and he and Abby hadn't kissed afterward. Why were girls so complicated. "Remember, I'm not you. I'm not out to bag anyone."

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-10 03:59 am UTC (link)
"Whatever man," Andy laughed, shaking his head. "I know that face. I make that face all the time," he added. The smirk was a dead giveaway. Whatever Connor said, he was into the girl and if he had the cajones to go for it, Andy would be silently rooting him on from the sideline. Dude seriously needed to get laid, Andy thought, because no way had he gotten any lately, based on the way he talked about girls. It'd help the guy unwind, Andy thought, because it worked well enough for Andy himself.

Surely Andy wasn't the only dude using sex to distract from the horrors of this place. Why shouldn't his buddy, too? Not that he'd readily admit it, but he thought maybe if he knew Stegs was banging some chick, too, then he wouldn't feel like such a dick every time he let Elliot's body make him forget. It wasn't like that was all Elliot was for, of course, because he cared a hell of a lot about her, but really...it did help him forget and he was forever feeling badly about that, whether or not he'd ever say it out loud.

Smirking, Andy took another bite of pizza and shook his head again, putting one hand on his chest and looking scandalized. "That really hurts, bro," he said after swallowing the bite. "That gets me right here. Is that what you think I'm all about?" The scandalized expression melted into a grin. "It's not all I'm about, anyway," he corrected. He wasn't going to say it right now, all things considered, but really all he wanted to say to Connor just then was that he was pretty sure they were all going to die in this place and so they might as well make the best of it if they could. That was what it was really about.

"Anyway, whatever floats your boat. She all right, though? I don't mean this disrespectfully, but she's kinda clingy. What's the deal with you guys? Is that her being her or you guys being whatever you really are that you don't wanna tell me about because apparently our friendship and my hunger for something interesting to talk about besides near-death experiences mean absolutely nothing to you?" he said, amusement ringing in the end of his question to let the other man know he was kidding about that part.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-10 04:25 am UTC (link)
Connor would never admit the truth to Andy unless asked outright, and he probably wouldn't even then, or at least he'd try to edge around it as best as he could. Shagging Kimberly was one of the last things on his mind. Oh, sure, he'd wondered a time or two. But for one, he wasn't as sure as Andy was that they were all going to die there, and if they didn't, he'd have to go back and look Abby in the eye and either tell her or pretend nothing had happened. And he wasn't sure he was ready for that. But there was also the fact that Connor truly had no idea what he was doing. And he sure as hell didn't have the guts to ask for advice when he couldn't make himself tell anyone that whoever he slept with 'next' would be the first.

So instead of bringing it up, he just shrugged again, polishing off the burger a hell of a lot faster than he probably should have. It was going to hurt like hell later, but he wasn't turning down food while it was actually in plain site. "She is clingy," Connor agreed, looking up to keep an eye on Kimmy. She seemed to be doing okay, no random lights were threatening to fall on her, so he turned back to Andy. "She had a lot going on back home before she got here. I don't think it'll mess with her now, but she's still scared." That was all he was going to say about it. It was Kimberly's story to tell if she chose to. "And honestly, mate, there really is nothing to tell. Well..." Oh, what the hell. "I did kind of kiss her this morning though. Nothing major," Connor rushed on quickly, "but it was definitely kissing."

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-10 04:55 am UTC (link)
If Andy hadn't downed as much food as he already had in the short time span that it had been since the time he started eating and the time Connor and his new...friend...had shown up, he would've been duly impressed and admiringly disgusted by Connor's ability to wolf down the burger in what seemed like maybe record time. He said nothing about it, though. It was surprising to him that Connor admitted that the girl was clingy but at least now Andy didn't feel like a jerk for having said so first. "I know the feeling," he admitted, thinking of the shitstorm that had blown in between the time he'd met the Winchesters and the time he'd shown up in this place that morning a month ago with Luna.

Connor had said there was nothing to tell and Andy opened his mouth to playfully chide his friend when Connor went on and mentioned that there'd been a kiss. It took a lot of willpower and mental reminders of how fucking gay he'd sound if he started asking for details about something that simple to keep from doing just that, but Andy kept it to himself. Instead, he smirked at the way Connor tried to backpedal and downplay it. "Hey, man...look, I know I give you a lot of shit, but you know I'm just fuckin' with you, right? If you ever wanted me to chill, you could say and I would," he said seriously. It occurred to him as he said that, that maybe the reason Connor had tried to downplay it was because he thought Andy'd just rip on him. Which, well, he normally would've because that's how Andy rolled. It was just that, as Andy thought about it, he thought maybe he and Connor didn't know one another well enough for Andy to assume that his friend knew he was just messing around and he didn't ever actually mean to make the other man feel like he had to skirt around things to keep from being made fun of. Andy knew that feeling a little more well than he'd ever, ever admit to anyone here.

"In other, less fagtastic news, nice work, bro. I'm gonna go ahead and assume you made the move because it's way cooler if it was you and not her. You don't have to tell me...in fact, if I'm wrong, don't correct me," he joked. He took another bite of his pizza, taking it down to the crust.

"You know what I think?" he asked, his words garbled from talking while he was chewing - because, really, it was Stegs; who cared? - "I think the tides have changed in here, my friend. I think the hotties are flocking to the not-so-buff, not-so-gorgeous guys in here all of a sudden. I've kinda noticed this trend. ...I started noticing after a couple of the big, Tiger Beat cover model lookin' guys bit the dust. Like my buddy's brother...like that dude with the claws. I can't quite put the pieces together and figure out why or whether the things are related or whether we're just lucky fucks...but if it's all tied together, it makes me wonder...whether really we're not that lucky, in the long run," he said in a low voice meant just for Connor. "Stegs, in the real world, could you bag a hottie like her?" he asked, shaking his head. "Because I fucking know in the real world someone that looked like Luna wouldn't have even talked to me and someone that looked like Elliot...forget it. Maybe I'm just in paranoia mode, but it kinda freaks me out a little, I'm not gonna lie," he admitted.

Then, he paused and looked away, watching as Elliot moved away from that one guy's cot and over toward Connor's new eye candy before looking back at Connor. "Sorry for the morbid. I'm not really in a great headspace right now, man, I'm off my game the past couple of days."

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-10 05:19 am UTC (link)
That was so very much not what Connor wanted to hear. Because really, Andy was only confirming what Connor already knew. He had no business being with a girl like Kimberly. She was beautiful, smart, and other than the little issue of Death being on her arse all the time, she seemed one of the cooler types who hung around with people about a dozen steps up the social ladder from him. Even Abby had her geek moments, and she was one of the more fit girls he knew. Sarah was a complete nerd, if he thought about it, and even Jenny, though older women weren't his thing, could be considered a little geeky. Kimberly didn't come off that way. Which meant if he hadn't worked so hard to save her life, he wouldn't have stood a chance.

He'd been considering more food, but at that moment, his stomach was churning. "It's like that girl I asked out at University. She said she wouldn't go out with me unless I were the last man on Earth. Well...I guess this is sort of the same thing, isn't it?" Though it was strained, he laughed anyway. "There's still guys here better than me, though. She could up and choose one of them at any time." This time, his laugh was a little more pained. "I probably shouldn't even be bringing her out in public if I'm even somewhat interested in her. One look at my friend Stephen and it's probably over from there."

No, Connor didn't have faith in himself. He'd be the first to admit that. And while he'd be hurt, if Kimberly did choose someone else, she wouldn't be the first and he wouldn't begrudge her of that. But he did hesitate for a second. "I think... Well, maybe it's kind of like meeting people online, or in a club. You wouldn't talk to them at a pub or on the street or anything, but since you're stuck together and get to talking... Maybe it goes past looks at that point."

And maybe he was thirteen and being told by his mother that someday, women would love him for his brain and not his look. Right, Mum. Connor still had no faith in that.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-10 05:34 am UTC (link)
Knitting his brow, Andy shook his head. "Nah man, that's not what I mean," he said slowly. "And don't do that, dude, that's not why I said it. What I mean is...the caste system is shifting. Former misfits at the top. Why?" he asked, finally looking back at Connor. "You think I'm this fuckin' suave son of a bitch because I make you think that; not because I am. And someone like Elliot would never give a shit about me, but she does. I know she does. She might not be in love with me or anything and shit, she might never be, but she cares. I can see it in her eyes sometimes when she worries about me. And that girl of yours, Kimberly? You don't just hang on somebody like that if you don't have some kind of interest in them. The way you say it, it sounds like they're using us and I don't think that's it at all."

Andy paused and looked back at Elliot. He thought of Dean and of Logan. He drummed his fingers on his knee and thought about them some more, especially the former. Dean had practically had a harem in this place, but it was all smoke and mirrors, except for Lexie. He thought of the way he'd seen Kimberly call Connor 'Hero' in the journal. "Shit..." he breathed and then let out a huff of laughter, looking back at Connor. "Shit, they want their own personal heroes; they don't wanna share." He paused and held up one finger as he tried to formulate his words.

"Did you ever notice how the studly dudes always have to play the hero and make sure everybody knows it?" he asked, dragging out the word 'everybody.' "Us little guys? They're always surprised when we do it. We're less arrogant. We do it because we care about them, not because we need to stroke our own egos, ho-ly motherfuckin' shit, Stegs, the chicks in this place finally see what the underdogs have known forever," he laughed. Previous thoughts of the women being their downfall floated away. "The geeks and the stoners are the cool kids now...because, dude, in a place where all the heroes come out to flaunt their feathers and compare war stories to verbally copulate and/or fight it out to see who's the biggest bad ass, the girls see it for what it is and chicks don't like that shit. Go figure, it's good to be a loser," he finished, smirking.

With that, he looked back at Elliot and Kimberly. "If it makes you feel any better," Andy started, backtracking to further identify with his friend, "I had a girl say that to me once, too. Back in high school. Well...she said she wouldn't go out with me even if I was the last guy on Earth, so I guess that makes you cooler than me," he said, looking back at Connor and grinning. "Take good care of her and she'll stick around. Start acting like you're God's gift to women and she'll move on. That's it. That's why the change in the status."

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-10 04:22 pm UTC (link)
Connor listened, not interrupting. There was an amused smile on his face as he grabbed the second burger Andy had set aside for him. "You've been reading some weird books, haven't you?" he teased. Not as if his own choices of reading material wasn't different unique. But that wouldn't be as fun. "Either that or you've switched from weed to crack. No idea where you're getting that from in this place!"

Chewing up the burger, he considered. "I always heard that's how it was going to work when we all matured. They'd come to appreciate guys as people who will actually be with them long term and take care of them." He liked that idea, really. Taking care of someone was new for him. He was used to being the one who people had to save or protect, hence even now Stephen worried over him. But now, Connor had people who leaned on him, or at least wanted to share responsibilities with him.

"I think I'm okay playing the hero," he reasoned. "But it's pressure, too. I mean, don't you ever hear about something that's going on around here and feel guilty? Like... I dunno. Like you should've stopped it even though you had no control?" He had asked Chris how he dealt with the pressure, and even a true and honest angel wasn't sure how to handle it from day to day.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-10 05:41 pm UTC (link)
Shrugging, Andy got back to his meal, already feeling his stomach protest, but considering the fact that it was probably the last decent meal he'd have in a while. "I've always been philosophical when I get high," he replied casually. Andy knew he was in the minority of pot smokers when it came down to that. Most of his stoner buddies back in the day were the types that spent all their time giggling like idiots or staring at walls; Andy, on the other hand, had been pondering the meaning of life.

"See, that's what I'm saying. Maybe being in a place like this separates the people who are too busy showing off their Alpha Male bravado from the people who actually care about the people they're affecting. Whatever, I know what I mean," he laughed. Andy wasn't quite sure how to word it, but to him it all made sense. Finishing off the crust of his pizza, he looked back at Connor. "The short of it, really, is that I think it's not so bad being freaks and geeks in this place. And I think maybe that chick likes you more than someone like you is probably willing to allow yourself to believe. Like I said, you think I'm all suave and shit because I put that forth but for all the times I've given you shit about just going for it, I've second guessed myself when it comes to my own situation."

Connor's sentiment hit home and Andy looked down, nodding. "Yeah believe me, I do." He thought, then, of Luna again; of Martha. People he'd wanted to help and could do nothing for. "The worst part is, I could totally stop everything bad that's going on here, if I could just meet someone in the management," he sighed. Explaining that would be difficult enough that he regretted having said it, but it was out there in any case and he shrugged again. "So anyway, other than the near-death yesterday, how've you been since last I saw ya? I hate losing contact with people in this place, because I never know if I'll hear from them again, but my head's been all over the place. Psychologically, I've had a really rough couple of weeks," he reasoned, "not that that's an excuse for losing touch with people, but that's...my excuse," he huffed with a weak smile.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-13 12:08 am UTC (link)
As much as Connor wished he had a clue what Andy was talking about...he didn't. Because to him, no situation ever would put him in a situation more likely to, quote unquote, win the girl. Maybe it was because he'd been burned too many times, or maybe it was letting himself fall for Caroline when she'd been so bad for him or maybe he just didn't have as much faith in himself as Andy seemed to. Regardless, Connor simply couldn't grasp how the little guys, the nerds, the dorks, the stoners, the freaks could finally be what girls wanted. Not when there were blokes that looked like Stephen and Chris running around.

He didn't get a lot of time to dwell on it, though. Soon enough, Andy was switching the subject to Connor's comment about wanting to help people and being helpless to do so. And then there was that comment about just needing a member of the management in order to change everything. Either Andy thought he had some brilliant people skills and could talk them down, or he was another of Connor's friends with a special ability. And Connor wasn't completely sure he wanted to think that. For the man who'd once believed Superman was based on a real story, so many people with skills he'd only dreamed of being not only real but in his presence daily should've been awesome. Instead, it was a bit much to take in. But Andy didn't volunteer any more information, and Connor didn't push for it. Yet. It'd come in time, he had no doubt about that. He was too inquisitive in nature to simply let a comment like that slide. But the last few years working for the ARC had taught him there was a time and a place for everything. And this wasn't it.

So instead, he could do nothing but focus on the last question. "Well, you know as much as I do," Connor said with a quiet little laugh. Another worried glance was shot in Kimberly's direction, but she seemed to have settled into a conversation with a good-looking blond. "Isn't that your girl?" he asked, nodding in her direction. "Anyway, the last couple of days I've mostly been taking are of Kimberly when I can, setting us up a place to crash, nearly suffocating, and oh, yeah, now I'm here." With a laid back shrug, Connor got to his feet. Andy's pizza had looked far too good. "Not exactly Eastenders here."

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-13 08:00 pm UTC (link)
When Connor said nothing and asked no questions in reference to his comment, Andy felt a bit less of an ass for having said it. Maybe it hadn't really sunk in. Maybe Connor hadn't even really heard it. Or, maybe Connor just thought that was more of Andy's self-affirmed bravado at work. In any case, what was important was that Connor didn't bring it up or push the subject. So, when Connor moved on, Andy relaxed.

"Fair enough," he replied with a sympathetic frown. He saw the way that Connor looked over at Kimberly and Andy looked over, too, by reflex. A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Well, she's not actually my girl, but yeah, that's Elliot," he replied in a quiet, fond voice. The smile faded slightly and he looked back at Connor. "She's had it harder than I did the past couple of days," he added unnecessarily.

His eyebrows raised slightly. "Eastenders?" he asked. "Sorry, my America's showin', bro," he laughed, having the grace to look sheepish for not having any clue what his friend was talking about. "But yeah, I get you on the whole 'this place sucks ass' thing. Sorry you nearly died, though; that's pretty much worse off than my thing. Probably not a whole lot better off emotionally than you, but that's some scary shit," he sympathized.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-14 01:40 am UTC (link)
Connor gave an awkward little laugh and ducked his head with a shrug. "Sometimes I forget we don't all have the same programs. We get so many of yours back home... Yeah. Anyway, it's a show my ex-girlfriend Caroline used to watch. Well, I don't know, maybe she still does, but I don't talk to her anymore so I wouldn't exactly know, would I?" He was rambling again. If he didn't get a curb on that, he was going to get kicked around by someone. In fact, he was pretty sure a few times, Stephen had considered slipping into the flat and smothering him in his sleep. And sadly, he wasn't sure he'd blame him.

He watched Kimberly a moment longer, caught that tight smile of hers, and gave a reassuring nod in her direction. Elliott... He'd seen her around, talked to her in the journals. If Kimberly was in danger from anyone in this place, Elliott wasn't the one. Connor wasn't worried about her. Not at that exact moment, at least. "She's cute," he commented, then looked away quickly. Even saying it felt like some form of betrayal to Kimberly. He was still allowed to look at other women, right? It was only a kiss.

"Anyway," Connor rushed on, shooting Andy a grin, "what did you get tormented with in the end? Mine wasn't so bad, really. Okay, it sucked. Watching Kimberly drown was pretty fucking traumatic, but aside from that, it was good, really. What'd they get you with? Severed heads? Bring back someone from your olden days?" Olden days? What was he, ninety? Or Lester? Good God.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-14 01:54 am UTC (link)
Nodding both his understanding and complete lackthereof, Andy pulled a face. "Good point. This is the part where I'm probably supposed to say some shit like 'you're better off without her' or whatever, but I've fairly recently learned that exes aren't always the bad guys, so I'll refrain," he replied. "Apparently it's just a show across the pond, though; I've never heard of it," he went on, "although, then again, I haven't had a television in, like, two or three years or something..." he finished with an impish grin.

"Right?!" Andy asked enthusiastically when Connor commented that Elliot was cute. "She's fuckin' bangin' actually," he corrected. Elliot was definitely a ten so far as Andy could tell. He was willing to give Kimberly a nine on the scale, but he wasn't going to mention that to Connor. "Your girl's cute, too," he settled with, instead.

The grin on Andy's face faded when Connor asked what had happened. On top of the fact that listening to Connor talk about having to watch Kimberly die reminded him of finding Luna's body in the blood room - not to mention opened his mind to unwanted visualizations of watching Elliot tortured - it forced Andy back into the reality of what he was feeling about that particular day. Which was, of course, to say...confused. Part of him - a larger part, to be fair - was relieved. There was, however, a small part of him that felt disappointed. He was so distracted by his thoughts on the subject that he hadn't noticed Connor's wording and subsequent mental - perhaps visual on his expression - backpedalling.

"Elliot was pregnant," he said in a low, dull voice, staring down at the floor as he said it. "She was freaking out. Sick, moody, baby bump; the whole thing. She was convinced it was mine under accelerated pregnancy because of the way this place just is and I started to think maybe she wasn't wrong. ...and then they dragged me off without getting to say goodbye to her and left me locked up in a cell with Doc Lex - hello, awkward; I'm Andy - to think about it for a day and a half. Kinda fucked up," he muttered the last bit. He looked up at Connor and cocked his eyebrows once before looking down again. "Thus my defensiveness about the whole two-headed, razor-teeth babies thing."

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-14 02:51 am UTC (link)
Despite the pathetically somber tone of their conversation, Connor at least gave a small smile. He had to. Andy had called Kimberly cute. He was wrong, of course and Connor knew it. Kimberly was incredible. And the thing was, she was a lot more than looks. She had such a quick mind and a good heart. So why did he still feel guilty watching her the way he was? Definitely not Caroline. Abby. And he knew it.

So instead of dwelling on the girls in question, he tuned his thoughts into what Andy was telling him. The fact that Elliott had actually shown the symptoms was even more horrifying to Connor than what they'd done to the pair psychologically. Every time Connor thought he might stand a chance at grasping the technology these people were using, they pulled something else that baffled him entirely. How could they make such physical effects on someone's body without it being some sort of permanent issue?

Rubbing his temples, Connor shook his head, thoroughly confused. "I'm telling you... You wonder why I think sex in this place is a bad idea? There. Right there." What the hell. What the freaking hell? That shouldn't even be possible, but they had. "And she's fine now," he added, nodding his head towards the blond. "Doesn't look pregnant at all."

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-14 03:10 am UTC (link)
Andy gave Connor a look that read, I am not amused, Stegs, loud and clear. The last thing that Andy needed right then was a lecture on what a bad idea it was to do the one thing that he'd probably never get to do again, now, anyway. Like Elliot was going to still be interested in fucking in the back of the van after that, condoms from the pharmacy or not. "News flash, Stegs: chicks can get pregnant when you have sex with them in the real world, as well," he deadpanned just to point out to Connor how irritating that comment in particular was to him at that moment.

But when Connor nodded back to Elliot, Andy looked back at her and felt that proverbial punch in the gut all over again. If she'd stayed pregnant, then even when they got out, she'd have reason to keep him around. Now, just like before, she wouldn't. "She says she's not pregnant anymore. I'm trying to talk Doc Lex into talking Elliot into testing without actually mentioning the pregnancy thing. It makes me antsy not knowing for sure, you know?" he asked. "Not that, like, it'd be the end of the world if she was... I'd just prefer not to be blindsided by it again is all," he clarified. Then, he paused and looked back at Connor, the expression on his face - unbeknownst to him - that deer in headlights look. "I mean, you know, it'd suck for her to be pregnant here, I don't mean it'd be a good thing, mind. But, like, I'd rather know so I can make sure I'm taking extra care. You know? Like not letting her lift stuff and going out into the woods and trying to hunt for food or pick apples or something," he rambled. "Whatever, I figure she's probably right that she isn't pregnant, really, but...I'd just...rather know one way or the other, instead of thinking."

There was a short, awkward pause and then Andy opened his mouth to speak again. "So anyway, if you're so against sex in this place, what if ol' girl decides it's a good distraction? The way Elliot did? Or what if she suddenly finds you overwhelmingly irresistable?" he asked, only half-joking as he thought of the way Elliot had been acting when the Management had released the gases or pheromones or whatever they'd put into the air to make Elliot into a ragingly horny sex addict of some kind. Not that he'd minded at the time - or even now just reminiscing - of course. He looked back at Kimberly for a moment and then lolled his head slightly to look back at Connor, eyebrows raised. "You gonna turn her down? Because I'd pay to see you try," he replied sincerely.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-14 04:02 am UTC (link)
Connor was trying to laugh off the whole conversation. Because, in fairness, it sucked. Andy would be miserable if now, Elliott refused to let him touch her. Connor was miserable at the fact that they were talking this in depth about sex at all. And the girls were likely miserable because they knew the guys were talking about them. Really, it sucked all around. "Yeah, case you forgot, I'm the genius, I happen to know how human biology works, I was pretty much aware people could get pregnant on the other side." Yeah, it probably sounded a little smug, but it was basically Connor's cover. He had to have something to not make this sound like hell on earth, which for him it sort of was. "But I'm pretty sure they won't be mutated into evil creatures beyond our control back home." All he needed to do was stick his tongue out at Andy to complete the picture.

"But," he continued, trying to make his voice more reassuring than it had been, "I'm pretty sure she's still allowed to do most of the things she already does if she's pregnant. And you'll know soon enough. There's probably not a lot you can do about it right now, anyway. I mean, even if Lexie were to test her, she wouldn't have a lot to work with, not with the stuff they have here." And that right there was quite enough talk about the female anatomy, even if they hadn't gone into much detail. He was just going to move on and pretend he hadn't said a word.

Well. He would, but then there was that other question Andy had blurted out. Oh, hell. Would he? "I don't know, mate," he answered honestly, finding his eyes drifting, almost involuntarily, in Kimberly's direction. Was he attracted to her? Obviously. Had he liked snogging her? Well, clearly. But would he go that last step? It was so much to ask, so much pressure... But damn, would he actually be able to say no? "I really don't know. I... I think I'd try to. Maybe. It'd depend on the situation, I think." Like if he were upfront with her and she didn't get freaked out by the idea and things were hot and heavy and God, who was he kidding? They'd kissed twice, there was hardly any reason to be considering sex.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-14 04:28 am UTC (link)
In spite of the fact that Andy could tell Connor was trying to lighten the situation, he'd only made things worse. Andy stiffened and set his jaw at Connor's comment about mutated babies turning into evil creatures. His brows cocked once in defiance and he said nothing. If Elliot was lying to him or was wrong when she thought she was in the clear again, then Connor was insulting Andy's eventual offspring. Not cool, bro, he found himself thinking. "Sarcasm, Stegs, let me introduce you to it," he said, instead, in response to the first point Connor had made.

"And I know she's allowed, but she's malnourished just like the rest of us, so don't you think doing normal every day physical stuff would be that much more exhausting to her and, therefore, bad for the baby, if there was one? Just saying, man," he replied defiantly, tapping one finger on his temple. "Yeah, I'm aware of the lack of resources. Like I said, bro, I had a day and a half to mull it over and try to figure out how I was going to make this shit work if my meeting up with her hadn't been a figment of my imagination or a rendez-vous with some clone of her or something," he added, frowning.

Right, this conversation was going really badly and Andy didn't want to want to punch Connor in the face, but he was getting there. So when Connor seemed a bit taken off guard by his question, it was Andy's turn to feel smug. He watched Connor look over at Kimberly and Andy leaned back against the bleachers. And then Connor said he'd actually try to turn the girl down if she wanted to jump his bones and Andy's smug grin fell askew into a stupified expression. Are you secretly a fag and I'm talking to a wall right now? he wondered as he stared back at his friend. "Wow. If you can say no to that," he said, nodding toward Kimberly, "then I don't know if I should give you more or less credit than I already do, bro. Because I wouldn't be able to, if it was me." He paused and looked back at Connor, studying his face. ...and the smug grin returned. "You're totally picturing her naked right now, aren't you?" he laughed. Whether or not his friend had been doing just that, Andy didn't know, but he could almost see the cogs turning in Connor's head and if he hadn't been thinking about it before, Andy had just planted the seed. Good times.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-14 04:40 am UTC (link)
Connor was honestly tempted to just get up and leave, and maybe he should have done just that. Andy was obviously pissed, and in fairness, he didn't mean to be an arse about it. But he did make some fair points. There was no way to tell for sure if Elliott was really pregnant in this hell hole until she started showing for real. And even then, who knew if it wasn't just another trick being played on them? And as badly as Connor would feel if something was wrong with the baby when it came out, he didn't deny that it could happen. In this place? They could do or create anything and no one was able to stop them.

But then his mind had been yanked into another direction. "I already have," Connor admitted in a weak, pathetic little voice that had to clue Andy in to how completely uncomfortable Connor was. "When she got here, she was just wearing one of those little tank tops and flimsy pajama pants and... Mate, you'd have thought it, too, come on." Bundled up in a weird looking jacket and a rather hideous sweater actually helped make Kimberly less of a hormone magnet. Never mind that the pants still clung to her legs and to be honest, Kimberly had really great legs.

Swallowing hard, he shrugged his shoulders and turned away to meet Andy's gaze. "I'm not saying it's impossible or anything," he said carefully, trying not to trip over his tongue which would have been falling out of his mouth if this were one of those old Merry Melodies cartoons and he was Pepe Le Pew and Kimberly were the black cat with the paint. "I just think...that it's better to get to know someone first. To genuinely care for them." And to not have them be your first when you were in a near death scenario with them, but Connor kept that part to himself. Obviously. Some things even Leonardo didn't tell Michaelangelo.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-14 04:55 am UTC (link)
After all the talk of being able to say no to a gorgeous girl, Andy was taken by surprise once again when Connor admitted having already pictured Kimberly sans clothing. Though, he nodded in agreement with Connor; a get up like the one that his friend described sounded like it left little to the imagination. ...and then Andy's eyes got a far off look to them and he was picturing Elliot in the same outfit. In a pillow fight. With Kimberly.

Shaking his head, Andy looked back at Connor. "Hey, man, I can't even keep track of how many chicks in this place I've pictured naked anymore, so I'm sure as shit not gonna fault you for doing it to one," he laughed, holding his hands up defensively. His grin faded slightly when Connor went on with his ideals. "Yeah, I used to feel that way, too," he admitted, sounding a little nostalgic for those days when he'd held out waiting for Tracy to be ready at the same time he was. The chase had been fun, but by the time the two of them had finally done the deed, it had been perfect. In fact, in retrospect, Andy felt a little badly about not affording Elliot the same opportunity.

Letting out a sigh, Andy stretched his arms over his head and slumped slightly. He groaned and rested a hand lazily on his stomach. "Ugh, when did we start having deep conversation? What ever happened to coloring dinosaurs, playing tag, and fighting the evil Shredder?" he joked.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-14 05:07 am UTC (link)
Connor laughed under his breath, shaking his head. "Unfortunately, we grew up. Literally. In one damn day. That was cheap. I would've been cool with another few days of it." Being a little kid made things easier. No responsibilities. Just run around the gym like crazy and hope to hell Rose didn't let him get himself killed. How many times had he tried? Even at six, Chris had been lecturing him to be more careful. But he didn't know consequences of actions at only six. He didn't know how easy it was for people to die. And even now that he did, most of the time he still threw caution to the wind and did as he wanted.

"Course," he added playfully, "if I were still six, I wouldn't have met her in the first place. She needed someone who knew the place to look out for her. Even the Ninja Turtles couldn't have done it at six years old. They needed more time with Splinter first." Much better. Andy wasn't the only one who wasn't exactly enjoying the tone of serious conversation. Connor was never the type to sit back and enjoy a serious conversation, not one so personal. He could discuss the bone structure of an iguanadon for hours, but not his own personal life.

When he finally glanced back up, he gave a grin. "Seriously, don't worry about it. This place is probably just fucking with all of our heads. They're good at that." That last bit was added with a roll of his eyes. He was so over this place and the idiots running it.

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-14 06:20 am UTC (link)
A weak smile tugged at the corners of Andy's mouth. Wasn't that shit the truth? If he'd still be in the childlike mindset when he woke up the next day, he'd have been pretty thoroughly traumatized, he'd wager. "Yeah, no kidding. I wouldn't have hated it. Shit, Elliot gave me a chocolate bar for breakfast and I actually had other Ninja Turtles to play with for a change. You know how friggen lame it is to play that shit solo?" he asked, raising his eyebrows and smirking slightly.

To Connor's added remark, Andy huffed a laugh and gave a facial shrug. "Hey, if I'd stayed six longer, Elliot might've had a heart attack. I think she felt kinda creepy, all things considered, when I was a kid," he said, trying to get in the amusing jab at the conversation he'd had with Elliot the day he'd gone back to normal without giving too much away and embarrassing her unnecessarily.

Feeling the need for some closure on the sex conversation, Andy sat up a little straighter. "One last thing and I'll leave it at that," he prefaced. "You're gonna find out that in this place, Stegs, you get close to people fast. And you'll also see how easy it is to fall into the illusion that you're in love with someone you barely know. So, if you're planning on waiting until it's someone you care about...be careful that you don't blur the lines between that and the illusion; it's very easy here," he warned sincerely. "And that said," he went on, stretching his arms over his head again and dropping them back to his sides, "I need to mellow. I'm gonna head back into the van and fire up Moby Dick. I'm gonna go ahead and assume you're not into that, but if you wanna come with, you're more than welcome," he offered.

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[info]leconnortemple
2009-12-15 03:22 am UTC (link)
Connor had to laugh along, really, remembering being six in this stupid place. What did he care back then whether they were in a life or death scenario? The management hadn't harmed the kids, other than put them in scary new places with people they didn't know. They'd played, had fun, been carefree, and ate all the junkfood they could manage. As far as Connor had been concerned, it was close to perfect. Maybe Andy had been shagging a girl who suddenly thought she was a pedo, but Connor hadn't. Hell, he'd only been there one day when he and Chris found themselves in the gym, waking up as strangers all over again. He'd have been perfectly content to stay that little. No stress, no pressure.

But another glance in Kimberly's direction brought a smile to his face. Which right there told him that being six would've been boring after a while. After all, at six, girls had cooties. Everyone knew that.

A part of him was tempted to tag along after Andy. Connor had never been a drug doer, despite what the young punk appearance might lead some to think. He was a thinker, and had always valued a clear mind. Which was the reason he smiled and shook his head. He needed a clear mind in this place, especially if he was being entrusted with protecting Kimberly. "No thanks, mate," he answered with a shrug. "There's still pizza I haven't touched and I'm sure I could drown myself in mashed potatoes and gravy before the night ends." Getting to his feet, he nodded towards the table but gave Andy a grin. "Seriously, though. Be careful out there. This? Probably the calm before the storm. You know. Again."

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[info]brain_ninja
2009-12-16 04:24 am UTC (link)
Nodding, Andy had figured that Connor would decline his offer. Andy hadn't specified whether he was asking for company or a smoking buddy, so it was only fair for Connor to assume, he thought, based on what he had said. "Fair enough," he replied. "If you change your mind, I'm only parked outside. Promise not to peer pressure you to join in," he only half-joking. There was never any intention on Andy's end to push his recreational habits on others around him, but he didn't hate company when he was stoned. Or anytime, really.

Connor stood and Andy watched him nod toward the table with a grin before the more serious sentiment he imparted. "Yeah, you're talking to someone who's been here for what seems like a year. Believe me I know about calm before the storm. The earthquake was the best example, I think. Right before it, the day was beautiful, everybody was chill. Shit, Sam and I were goofing off earlier the day before and it was like..." his voice trailed off and he shrugged. He'd nearly forgotten about the Asian guy hanging from the clocktower like Lily until just then. "Anyway, yeah, I know," he said. "You too."

At that, Andy got to his feet as well, gave Elliot a nod toward the door to let her know where he was going to be once he caught her eye, and started away from the bleachers. Giving Connor a clap on the shoulder as he went, he tipped his chin at his friend. "You know where to find me, man," he said as a departing offer before heading toward the door and out of the building.

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