(( the stars ran away with the night ))

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] It had been decided, really. He was bored out of his skull, tired of marking assignments, and needed a break. So, he'd thought instantly of pretty much his only "friend" in Colorado Springs. He wasn't sure if she counted as a friend, really, but she was the only one who didn't treat him like an irresponsible five year old. He'd hacked into her file easily enough, considering he didn't have to hack at all. He had access to the whole system in order to upgrade it. He found her address... found that she had a kid, a two year old. He hadn't known, but that was okay. A visit to an arcade had been way overdue anyway. So, he'd grabbed his keys, hopped into his car and headed over without a single moment of hesitation, not really thinking it at all particularly creepy. Though it probably sort of was. He parked the black bmw outside, slipping out, turning it off only because he wasn't sure how long it would take to convince her to get out of the house and have some fun. He popped up the stairs, ringing the doorbell. There was no sweatshirt today, just a regular t-shirt with an unbuttoned plaid shirt over top of it, faded jeans that had certainly seen better days as well. And he just waited. He was good at waiting.

[Flame]

size=1]Lilly was lounging on her couch with Robin cuddled up close as they watched Shrek for the millionth time. They both were dozing. Two his head pillowed on her chest, as they both half watched the movie. The doorbell ringing woke them both up, and Robin glanced at his mom. As if to ask “Who is it?” She chuckled. ’I don’t know son.” she said getting up, and heading for the door, sweats, and a baggie t-shirt was her attire, she didn’t even have shoes on, and her hair was down. She opened the door and was surprised to see Rory. ”Rory. Hello. What are you doing here?” she asked stepping back and letting him come in. Just then Robin came out, his blue eyes obviously different from his mother’s green, but he had her face.
”Hi.” he said smilling, before disappearing, going back to the movie. ”And that was Robin.” she was acutly awear that she was not dressed for company.

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[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] He offered her a bit of a foolish grin as he slipped in, finally realizing just how strange this probably seemed, what with him just showing up with absolutely no warning or anything. Then, the kid came around the corner and he turned his attention to Robin for a moment, waving at the kid before turning his attention back to Lilly. Well, ah, I was bored and, uh... He paused at that point, grinning sheepishly and glancing down and away, one hand raising to rub at the back of his neck, clearly just a little embarrassed and not one to even bother trying to hide it like some, in fact probably most, would. You're kinda my only friend. He shifted his gaze back up to her, hand falling back down, thumbs shoved in his jean pockets for a moment during the awkward pause before he spoke again. The hand holding his keys motioned to the room Robin had disappeared into, then he jabbed the thumb back over his shoulder towards his car outside. Ah, I heard about this arcade nearby. Thought... y'know. Robin might have some fun there. It's good to get out of the house now and then.

[Flame]

Robin hadn’t fully gone away, he was just around the door, listening. Mainly because he could. Lilly eyed him for a moment. ”So you came here to see if I could go out?” she asked heading for the living room. As he spoke again she glanced down at her self. ”You’d have to wait a bit, but sure. It’s something to do.” Robin bounced out. ”FUN??!?” he asked loudly, a grin on his face. She reached down to pat him. ”yes. Fun.” She said with a chuckle. Fun, food, cookie, cake, and mommy were his favorite words. Well that and No, and Yes. She glanced at Rory. ”Make yourself at home. Kitchen and bathroom are down there, I’m going to get dressed and ready to go. Robin is watching Shrek, and should be fine with the crackers.” She said as she disappeared down another hallway and into her room.

Robin eyed the tall man. ”I Robin. Who you?” he asked pointing at himself and the man. He was ignoring Donkey and Shrek, new person much more interesting. ”This is my horsey.” he said walking over and picking up one of about ten horses on the floor, near his toy box. He glanced at the man. ”Why here?”

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] A grin lit up his face when she agreed, instantly relaxing now that it didn't seem quite as awkward, grin broadening when Robin came out again. He followed the kid into the living room, watching him for a moment, crouching and settling down onto the floor, cross-legged, reaching out to grab one of the toy horses and looking it over. I'm Rory. I'm gonna take you and your mom out to have some fun. He put the horse down, still smiling at the boy as he tapped the horse for a moment. I never had something like that. Just cars. I might still have a couple around, if you want them.

[Flame]

The boy grinned. ”Rory.” he obviously liked the name and snatched up the horse he had tapped. ”I hases cars.” he went to his toy box and dug around until he pulled out a tonka truck. ”Momma Likes cars.” he continued to pull out lots of cars, larger then the small things, but they were still nice. He was enjoying the company, and babbled about trucks, and started to play with them, handing Rory cars to play with too.

It was about half an hour later when Lilly came out, her hair damp, and in jeans, blue blouse, combat boots, and a light green jacket. ”Hey you two. Robin, put the toys away, and I’ll get your coat.” She told the boy, who nodded. ”Ok momma.” The boy quickly started to put stuff away as she disappeared again finding his coat and shoes. As well as a bag with some toys and some food, to keep him occupied. Then She came back out. He was finished, and watching her. ”We go now?” She chuckled, glancing at Rory as she put on the boys coat and shoes. ”Are we?” she asked with a grin.

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] Rory had chuckled and played along, happily playing with the car to keep Robin busy. Yes, he was grown up enough to not play with cars usually, but he'd make an exception to just about anything when it came to little kids, particularly cute, non-bratty little kids like Robin. He glanced up to Lilly with a grin when she popped her head back in. He helped clean up a little, though not much. If the kid was proactive enough to do it on his own, though, Rory figured he deserved at least a little help. He popped up to his feet then, moving back to the front door, digging his keys out of his pocket. Yup. C'mon! He slipped out the door, a childish, excited grin on his face as he very nearly jogged to his car. He slipped into the driver's seat, settling back into the leather seat, buckling himself in. He sighed happily, deeming this a confirmation he actually had a friend. Not to mention, he kind of loved driving this car. He couldn't help but be happy when he'd settled into the driver's seat.

[Flame]

Lilly grabbed her son’s hand and led him outside. She stopped at her car and grabbed his car seat. She put it in with a slight smile. ”There you go Robin.” she said softly, buckling him, then slipping into the front passenger seat. ”Sexy car.” she said glancing at him, leaning back, and letting herself calm down. She didn’t have to drive. THAT was the best part.

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] He slipped away from the curb, settling easily into the speed limits smoothly enough. He grinned at her comment, though he shrugged. It's just a car, Lil. He replied, though he still appeared rather happy with her remark, as if it was a compliment aimed at him and not his car. He reached over, turning the stereo on softly. While driving alone, he'd often blast the music, but he wouldn't be so impolite with her in the car, nor risk her child's eardrums in such a fashion. He wasn't stupid, not really. He hummed along softly before singing along a bit, despite the fact it was a girl singing. Hey, who said there was anything wrong with that? Cause baby you're a firework, come on show 'em what you're worth... He trailed off again, resorting back to humming, rather happy with himself.

[Flame]

[szie=1]Lilly eyed him annoyed. ”It’s Lilly.” she didn’t like weird nicknames. Lil was like LITTLE, only shortened. She didn’t LIKE being short. It wasn’t fair. She glanced back at her son, who was stairing at Rory as if studying him. She rolled her eyes and continued to watch the world go by. The song was amusing to her, but of course Rory had to start singing it, which was adorable, and slightly cute. ”You always burst out singing?” she asked with true curiousity.

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[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] Okay, okay, relax! Geez. You're all wound up about the little things. Learn to live a little. It's funner than it seems. He replied with a grin, glancing over at her for a moment, though not longer than a second. He liked to keep his eye on the road. Still, he wasn't exactly scared by her annoyance like he probably should have been. Not a whole hell of a lot scared him anymore. After all, he'd already had a gun aimed at his head once by a rogue agent. Surely she couldn't be any worse. He glanced over again with her question. Why yes, actually, I do. When you're only good at a select few things, you do them all the time. Me, I'm good at hacking, singing, playing guitar and cooking. And that's about it. He replied, looking back to the road and turning around a corner, slipping through traffic rather easily. He reached the parking lot, pulling into a spot farther back from the entrance. Yes, it was just a car, but t was an expensive car. There was less chance of people trying to squish in next to him and scrapping the side. He hardly gave her a chance to get out before he'd opened her door for her, just way too excited. He didn't wait around though, moving to help Robin get out. She needed to relax, clearly, so he'd take care of the kid. It was no problem. He liked kids, and they usually liked him too.

[Flame]

Lilly glared at him. ”I don’t like people calling me Lil.” she said finally. That was a name only Daddy could get away with. And he wasn’t around. So it didn’t matter. ”I do live. I live just fine.” she snapped at him. Feeling annoyed, but she forced herself to calm down. Short fuse much. ”Momma? Fun?” asked Robin’s voice. She sighed. ”Soon.” she said softly. She glanced at Rory as he spoke. ”You can Cook?” she asked ignoring the other three, which was amusing. Then they were stopped, but before she could get out, he opened the door, and got Robin out. She grabbed his bag, feeling slight panic at him helping Robin, but forced herself to colm down. ”Fun?” the boy asked wiggling with excitement.

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] He just shook his head at her anger, brushing it off. He had the utmost confidence that she wouldn't hurt him, not now while he was driving, not later while he wasn't. After helping Robin out, he kept a hold on the boy's hand, just to be sure he wouldn't wander off and get himself hurt, then closed the car door. Yes, I can. And pretty damn well. Just ten minutes of sports and my asthma kicked in, so that was out of the question and my parents wouldn't let me sit in front of my computer every waking second. Got me to help with dinner now and then, before I knew it I was helping willingly, then I was cooking every night slow progression, but progression nonetheless. He replied, but then he glanced down to Robin and grinned at the boy, tousling his hair slightly as he started to walk toward the arcade's front door. Yeah, kiddo. Fun.

[Flame]

She sighed at her son. ”Sounds like it was forced at first.” she said simply eyeing him, as she put the bag on her shoulder. Robin willingly held the man’s hand. ”Robin.” she saw the grin, but it faded. ”But momma!!!!” She eyed him., ”Sowwie.” his voice was soft. He’d been thinking about making the older man take him to the bath room. Which would have been funny. But mommy had caught him.

[Centrinity]

[atrb=border,0,true][atrb=width,470px,true][atrb=bgcolor,63160F,true] It was. But sometimes things we love start off as things we hate. He replied with a little grin, glancing between the two as his grin faded, looking rather confused now. Clearly there was something unspoken here. He really wasn't sure what. But he decided he wouldn't ask and just let it be. He wasn't insatiably curious after all. At least, not in that manner. Or, at least, he didn't intend to ask. But perhaps he was wrong about himself, because then he was asking anyway. What did I just miss?