bluebird -adam-

[shae]

Shae simply knew a very small amount about his mother, and she had to keep that in mind, and she had to give him a perspective on where she had come from. It took her longer to trust any man though, of course her brothers were the exception to that. She knew she could trust Adam now though, knew that he would not actually make her do anything. The most he would do is simply flirt and be suggestive. She could handle that, the act was rather innocent in retrospect. “Okay, good. If you charm them, they should be fine. Definitely find some common ground. I honestly do not know what they are into that much these days,” she said absently, it sort of bothering her that she did not know too much about her brothers anymore. Why did she have to miss most of their lives? Why couldn’t she have escaped sooner. The thoughts were eating away at her and she couldn’t help but feel the sadness settling over her once more.

Shae listened to him and felt bad, just simply letting him talk and simply heard the laugh, then came the don’t feel sorry for me stuff and she could not help but do that. She just simply looked at him for a moment, it was not necessarily that she felt sorry as much as a look that showed that she understood. They both had grown up in situations where they lost at least one of their parents, both had an abusive parent, well in her case it was off even more regarding her ‘father figure.’ She was not even sure if she could refer to him that way. “If you need help with that, let me know,” she said, being completely serious when he was referring to kicking her off her pedestal. She really did not like people being in either of their situations, so she would help her friend, although he seemed to be more than that. She listened to his words then, her breath a bit strained for a moment as she simply came to a halt with the car at the house and just put it into park

“When I was little, I ran away because my parents died. I was so sad that they had died that eventually one day after school, I ran away from home without telling my brothers. Well, I got into the wrong part of town, on a dark night and someone grabbed me. It was a vampire and well I just simply served him at his house as some sort of slave or whatever. Eventually, the sort of serving was sort of sexual,” she said, her voice shaking over the last part and simply didn’t look at Adam, still afraid of how he would respond or look at her, it something she could not help. “Once I discovered my powers after a few years after that, I ran away, back to Manuka,” she finished and simply let the quiet envelope them both, tears building up at the edge of her eyelids, but she wouldn’t cry in front of him.

[ADAM ORION SHARPE]

Shae seemed distant, and while Adam usually tried to do his best to relate and make her happy, he was slowly realizing that he didn't really understand women as well as he originally thought. The more he started to actually befriend them, the more he was privy to emotions, feelings, and all these other troubles that seemed to follow women around wherever they went. Adam preferred to just be the guy who would give them a great time between the sheets and be done with it all, but apparently, that wasn't meant to last forever. Now, he had Shae and Vaeda as friends and he was starting to actually care for them. It was a strange feeling, caring for someone else, but he had the strange hope that one day it would grow on him. Already, Shae was starting to really open up to him, and trusted him enough to bring him home to meet her brothers, who she was apparently pretty close to. Adam was a little nervous, but not for the reasons that most might think. ”I'll try to relate. I'm just... well, I'm not exactly a typical guy. And, well, even less of one nowadays.”

Adam had always been different than other guys he knew. Even though he could pretend to be a man's man and a jock with the rest of them, he harbored a secret intelligence that most of them couldn't even fathom. 'Dumb Adam' was his way to seduce and relate with women without having to find any intellectual common ground, or become intimidating. Few women ever found out that he was a college professor, and even less knew about the subject he taught. Apparently, teaching wasn't that many of a profession, and teaching Ancient History and Mythology made him even less 'butch' by most females' standards. A couple who found out even questioned his sexuality. Adam didn't mind that, of course, he believed that all people should have the same rights as others, and while he didn't have many gay friends, he certainly had nothing against them.

The 'difference' he was referring to, however, was his being a werewolf. Since he was so new to it, and had spent most of his life as a human, he really hoped they would notice. But still, there was that chance.

Shae ended up breaking the silence between them by wanting to tell him something serious, and Adam understood that need to just talk to someone. He'd told her enough about his past with his mother, after all, and most people never got to know about that. The werewolf braced himself for whatever Shae would say, and found his heart wrenching in his chest as she spoke. He'd never... there were no words for a situation like that. Not from him. When she was finished speaking, Adam caught the glimpse of tears and knew she was trying to be strong, probably for his sake. When she was done, all he felt was anger. ”You've told your brothers, right? I don't know them, but you're not even my sister, and all I want to do is tear that bastard from limb to limb.” Adam clenched his fists and then tried to quell his rage. ”That's... awful. You're so strong, you know? To continue on as you have, after something like that. I admire you.” His words were honest, because he didn't want her to think that he saw her as weak. Really, that couldn't have been further from the truth.

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[shae]

Shae always appreciated Adam for the many times he had brought her to laugh, to distract her in her distant moments because she was sinking into her memories. She heard Adam’s words though and nodded, “Mmm well we’ll be misfits together. I honestly need to sort of see what they are like now. I barely know anything about their lives recently. It will be a challenge for the both of us.” Shae wondered if Adam could see the pain that she was feeling, wondering if that wall she could always build up in the past. She had grown so numb in the past to points that when Zachary used her, she did not even flinch. She had managed to put on some fake self to appear to be happy when all else seemed so miserable. Then there were moments that Zachary had managed to make her smile, even in the darkest times. She knew that something was wrong with her though. No one should want to be with the person that kidnapped them and did even further than that, right? She swept her fingers through her long, blonde shaggy hair. She needed to get it cut, not really wanting to sit down in front of a hairdresser though. She could care less about how her hair ended up looking.

Shae listened to him and tried to collect herself, but the tears kept coming as she felt her chest tighten just from all the pain. She nodded, “Yes, they aren’t happy.” She simply saw his fists clench and knew he was upset like he said he was. Maybe Adam cared for her than she knew and then the words came, simply blinking and looking at him, “I don’t feel strong. Every day is a struggle.” The words came out softer, her voice much more broken than she thought, listening to herself for a moment, feeling like she needed to be stronger than she was. “I’m not as strong as you think. If he were to come back…” She said, more tears building up at the edge of her eyes, about to spill over like a pot boiling over. She murmured, “I could not stop myself from going back, Adam. I’m messed up. I don’t know why, but I love him. I spent so many years. I thought there wasn’t going to be a second chance for me and now that I’m free… God, I’m so messed up.” Her body shook softly as if she were shivering and in that moment she simply moved over to him in the car, hugging him tightly and crying on his shoulder.

[ADAM ORION SHARPE]

Misfits. Well, that certainly made sense. As much as his mother had always wanted to integrate him into academia and society, Adam had enough blue-collar blood in him to rebel just enough to set his mother on edge and convince him time and again that he hadn't lived up to her incredibly high expectations. The former human had learned early on that expectations were a crock, anyway. Life was so much better when you sought out your own passions, your own desires, and tried to concoct a life for yourself that was based on your own expectations and what you wanted to achieve before all was said and done. Shae's words struck a chord in him, and he smiled when she said the word, suggesting that they be misfits together. Even though he wasn't crazy about friendship, especially with women (whether he was sleeping with them or not), the prospect wasn't completely terrible. ”They're still family, and you care for them. Surely they're not going to alienate you too much,” Adam said, making assumptions that were somewhat foreign concepts to him. His idea of family was warped, but the way Shae talked about her brothers gave him hope that she'd find her place with them and fit in just perfectly, like a lost puzzle piece that was finally sorted out.

Adam had to rely on his more sensitive instincts around women, which was kind of difficult for him because even though they did exist, he didn't like to get in touch with them that often because it made him feel too vulnerable. And vulnerable was a feeling that he really hated. However, when the mood of their previously light-hearted conversation turned serious and Shae spilled some information about a very personal time in her life that involved some terrible events, he couldn't help but launch into a protective mode that was rather unexpected. It was less vulnerable than he thought, and the wolf in him was screaming to be let out to play, just so he could have justice for a woman that he did care about, oddly enough. ”You know your brothers could probably track him down, right?” The thought comforted Adam somehow, that she was surrounded by people that would do their very best to keep her safe, and Adam knew that he was close to adding himself to that list. But, as she elaborated, the wolf felt his heart sink.

”Shae...” Adam started slowly, not wanting to be rude or upset her any more than she was. ”I'm not exactly an authority on love. I've never been there or felt it, myself. But that... what he did to you? He's a monster. And what you feel for him? It's not love. I can tell you that much for sure.” Adam's words were solid, and when Shae began to cry and cling to him, Adam wrapped his strong arms around her and rubbed her back with his large hands. ”He's not going to come back for you. But if he ever does... he'll get what's coming to him, and you'll be safe. I promise.”

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[shae]

"I know, but it is still a little unnerving is all," the words came out softly as she thought about her family. What was weirder is that really, Shae and her brothers were not really related whatsoever. They were adopted, her brothers were, and it just goes to show that blood isn't everything. The fact that they had searched for her ever since she had gone missing meant quite a bit to her, that they had never stopped. She was surprised they hadn't come to the conclusion that she was possibly dead somewhere. After not showing up for over 10 years, she was very surprised they hadn't just assumed she was dead. Maybe they knew she was stronger than that, or they had just been hoping that they would find her, hoping she would be alive. She admired them both for it because she wanted to think she would be the same way, but she wasn't sure. It was one of those situations she felt that you did not know how you would be until you were in their shoes.

Shae nodded at his words and just wrapped her arms around herself uncomfortably. "I don't doubt they could," she says, not wanting them too though. She just wanted him to stay away and have no trouble because she knew anything other than that would mean he would die. There was no way that Zachary could get past her brothers. They were some of the most skilled hunters she knew in all of her life, the ones she had encountered anyways. She listened to what he was saying about it not being love and she just felt her body ache for something she knew she really shouldn't want. She was uncertain of what exactly to follow, whether it was what he was saying or how she felt. She knew people were told to 'follow their heart' but her heart would have led her into a much darker place. She just was quiet and nodded softly.

Shae felt rather comfortable in his arms, her head resting against his shoulder as she calmed down easily in his embrace. She nodded, "Thank you, Adam. I appreciate it." The words came off softly as she felt like staying there forever. She knew that maybe they wouldn't sleep in the same bed together, but she wouldn't mind just cuddling or sitting like this with him. She was not going to lie and say she liked this moment.

[ADAM ORION SHARPE]

Family was one of those important things that seemed to drive so many people. Adam thought of Chloe and her quest to find her long-lost sister, Shae and her brothers, and then thought of his own life. His terrible mother. His childhood and most of his adulthood spent very much alone, to his own devices. A father that had abandoned him. ”You have a good family – they won't shut you out,” Adam said, trying to be comforting even though this was a situation that he really didn't understand. At least Shae had a family, and even though he wasn't always the friendliest guy, she also had a friend in him. The story she told had been terrible, and he couldn't think of how someone could be so evil. If he did come back, Adam wanted to be able to rip this jerk's limbs off right alongside Shae's brothers.

Shae seemed to understand what her brothers would do if this man tried to find her again, and Adam was a bit disturbed by the fact that she almost seemed not to want them to defend her and protect her. Wasn't that what a family was for? But he didn't say anything, knowing that she didn't need anyone to try to convince her of something that went against what she felt, whatever she felt. Women were definitely a puzzle. ”If he did come back, Shae, promise me that you'll let your brothers protect you. Don't go near him. He's a monster.” He had no right to make demands, but he'd feel better knowing that his friend was safe. That was why he reached out, wrapped his arms around her in a friendly, caring embrace that would hopefully make her feel less alone.

”You're welcome. What are friends for, huh?” Adam smiled down at the blonde head that was resting against his broad shoulder and moved his hand to her back, just resting it there and leaving it motionless. He didn't want to spook her. ”Hey... whatever happens, I'm here for you.” It was important for her to know that, because he had felt alone for so long in a life that wasn't laced with that brand of tragedy that he couldn't even fathom what Shae was going through. She didn't have to be alone anymore. After a moment, Adam released Shae from his embrace and gave her an easy smile.

”Hey, what do you say we get you home? Get going? Your brothers are probably starving,” he said, not wanting to push if she wasn't ready, but thinking that it probably wasn't good for her to dwell on something so painful. Whatever she decided, though, he would go along with it. Adam just didn't want her to hurt anymore.

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[shae]

Shae listened to his request, looking up at him and there was conflict in her expression, it contorting, almost into some sort of grimace. She couldn’t make a definite promise and so she simply responded with, “I don’t know what will happen.” Shae ‘loved’ this person, or at least something inside of her felt like she had to, like there was no way to escape this wicked relationship they had. Shae felt like she was one of the weakest people alive in this moment. Did she have any self-control? “I really don’t know what I’ll do in the spur of the moment, Adam,” she said, feeling like she would disappoint him with this answer, but she really couldn’t make a promise that she might break. She wasn’t that type of person.

Shae smiled through the faint tears that were rushing down her cheeks, just feeling his hands on her back, just listening, feeling rather comfortable with him there like that. She said softly, “Thank you.” The words came out quite a bit more relaxed than her previous ones that had been full of tears. When he pulled back, she didn’t want to pull back. She wanted to snuggle into him and not pull back because he almost felt like one of her brothers. She kept getting that feeling and just wished later tonight they could be in the same bed without having to have sex. She just wished to be held a little. Was that too much to ask?

Shae nodded at his words, “You’re probably right.” She needed to calm down a bit and so she just breathed in deeply a few times. She had the bad habit of thinking of things that were rather painful to her and not letting them go. Hopefully, this experience with their brothers will help cheer her up a bit and raise the mood.

[ADAM ORION SHARPE]

The look on Shae's face was something that he just plain didn't understand. Why would she even consider putting herself back in harm's way with a man who more than likely ruined so much of her life and took so much from her? Adam was bold, it was a major facet of his personality, but he wouldn't ask those questions. Even though he and Shae were friends, they weren't close enough that he'd want to risk hurting her by asking. However, the wolf knew that if it came down to it, he would do his very best to protect her, and Adam was so easy enemy to have. ”Nobody would until faced with it, I guess. I just want you to be safe.” That was all he'd say on the matter, because really, it wasn't his place to barge in and give her advice about something that really he knew nothing about. While he had gone through traumas and experienced hardships, he'd never known anything like that.

So he held her. It was brief, just a few moments to show her that he was there because she was crying and even though Adam knew he had some definite asshole tendencies, he'd never been able to do nothing while a pretty woman cried. Something about that was just... wrong to him. He could use women for pleasure, but he liked to think that his blunt honesty about the fact that their 'relationship' would be limited to sex at least spared them any pain. It was fun, and this... oh, Shae crying was not fun. She thanked him and seemed sort of... disappointed when he pulled away, but they had places to be, and Adam suggested that they head back to her house so they could work on getting dinner for her brothers. Or at least she could, and he could keep her company.

She started driving, and Adam looked over at her, giving her a small smile that he hoped would make it a little better. ”You're gonna be okay, you know. You've got people who really care about you, and that's the best weapon someone could ever have.” Then, they pulled into the driveway of her house and he hoped that what he was saying would give her some comfort. Nobody deserved to feel alone, after all.

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