Tom Petty sang it best...

[sand_hawkins]

...the waiting is the hardest part.

A million thoughts are going through Sand's mind.  Are they OK?  Is SHE OK?  Will they find her?

He checks his watch.  Yep, they've been gone 10 seconds.

"Anyone know any good parlor games?  I don't think everyone here's into Civ4."

Comments

[caleb_z]

Caleb has another sip of his tea. Outwardly he’s calm and collected, as inwardly he tries not to let his hopes get up. However good those searching are, the search itself is over a truly intimidating expanse.

Though he is entertaining the what-ifs now. What if they succeed? Corrine will be back.
Part of him had hoped that he would have been able to secure Amelia’s release first, but its not as if he’s about to sabotage her rescue so that he can hide his little sister.

And what about him? Corrine has attacked him in every single encounter since being … would deified be the proper term? Well, at any rate, since merging with the entity. Will he be any safer? And what if he had managed to secure Amelia’s release? Would they have been able to hide? Wouldn’t she find them?

He has another sip. It’s not like any of that matters. She needs me, and I’m here. As for the rest … I really shouldn’t pay interest on money I haven’t even borrowed.That doesn’t mean he won’t, though. He’ll just stand there, sip his tea, and inwardly

[gemma_masters]

Wow, they're a lively bunch aren't they?

"Anyone suggests charades an I'll scream." this is followed by a large grin.

[sand_hawkins]

Sand chuckles. "Sorry, Gemma. This last month has been somewhat trying on all of us, to say the least."

[gemma_masters]

"Understatement...big time." She can feel the anchor secure and fine attached to her.

"They're fine, don't worry I'll know if somethin' happens."

[green_shield]

Tara just paces, checking and rechecking the emergency supplies in the room.

"I liked Diner Dash myself. Got it for Doc Boss's computer."

[sand_hawkins]

Sand smiles. "Tara. Sit. Please. You're acting like Aunt Dian before going to the Kennedy Center Honors."

[green_shield]

"Fine." She runs her fingers through her hair. "It'll be good. Having her back. I miss her 'kid in a candy store,' look."

[caleb_z]

“Corrine, uh … Corrine loved building houses of cards. She always slipped and knocked them over before she was finished, though. Every single time I saw her try. She never gave up trying, though.”

He turns to Sand. “I don’t suppose she ever got it right?”

[sand_hawkins]

"Loves." Sand says, gently. "Corrine loves building houses of cards. And no, not to my knowledge has she sccceded yet...unless it happened while I was fighting Johnny Sorrow alongside vampires with souls."

[gemma_masters]

"Building it even if it falls down is the important part. Tells you a lot about someone's character if they'll keep trying."

[caleb_z]

A few thoughtful seconds pass quietly. “Yeah, she, uh … she always was rubbish at giving up on things.”

His hand is running through his hair again as he contemplates every meaning of what he just said. When your so confused you don’t know what to think, seek a trusted opinion.

“Sand, should I uh …. I mean … I want to see her back as much as anyone here, but should I be here when it happens?”

[sand_hawkins]

"I know what you're getting at, Caleb." Sand says. "But (A), if something goes really south really fast we'll need every ounce of ability we have available, and (b) you're part of us, and have arguably worked longer and harder to be part of the solution. You deserve to be here when she returns."

"All I ask...of all of you," he says as he addresses the room, "...is to be patient with her. Most all of us have questions to answer, but they'll be answered in due time. She may need space more than anything else." A pause. "Or she may not."

[caleb_z]

His only response is a quiet, nod, followed by another sip of his coffee.