I Will Wait For You

[Shannon Marks]

(OOC: takes place directly after [this])

(tag: Jessica West )

Truthfully Shannon hated waiting around. She felt so useless and awkward, and this time was no different. Not that she was letting it show. In fact she probably looked intimidating, standing there with her arms crossed and her eyes scanning over the few people she saw. Most of them looked away or hurried on about whatever business they might have. Certainly moving away from her piercing blue eyes. Shannon's neutral expression wasn't exactly a happy looking one, so that probably had something to do with the way they scrambled. If anything, she seemed to be guarding the building she stood so (im)patiently in front of. Little did they know there was only one person in the building she'd care to protect at that moment.

Shannon's thoughts started drifting off while she waited. It distracted her enough that the passage of time wasn't too slow. Eventually the door opened and this time it was a brunette she recognized. While she didn't break out into an outrageous smile, her expression did soften somewhat and the corner of her lips tugged upward. "Hey. Finally got released, I see." She said, joking only a little. Both of them were usually busy, Shannon could understand that. While their jobs might've been on different ends, they did get to work together from time to time. Right now though, they were just walking home together.

[Jessica West]

Well that meeting had been...interesting. Jessica wasn't dead so that was a bonus. Even so, she felt like she'd been forced to run a marathon. Meeting with the Grand Consul- any of them- was always an emotionally and physically draining experience for her. Fortunately it didn't happen often, but the few times it did left Jessica wanting to curl up and sleep right there on the floor. How dignifying.

When she finally left the building, she was greeted by none other than Shannon Marks. Another girl who Tommy had turned, and probably her best friend. Normally she'd smile and ask about her day when they headed home. This time she wordlessly trudged up to her and practically slumped against the woman in an exhausted hug. She didn't care that their height differences basically put her head right into the blonde's chest. She was too tired for thinking too much. She didn't even say a word the whole time, just slumped into the other woman.

[Shannon Marks]

Jessica West. Someone else Tommy had turned all those years ago. Shannon had actually been there when Tommy had started his observations of the girl to decide if she was worthy or not. She had been, and Shannon could admit that she personally was glad for it. Somehow the brunette had become one of her greatest companions right after Tommy himself. Add to the fact they shared the same sire, and Jessica was easily one of the people Shannon was the most protective of.

Which was why she looked with minor concern when, instead of talking, Jessica walked towards her like a zombie. There was a hug Shannon wasn't expecting, and she had to grab the girl to keep her from slipping. Clearly the brunette was exhausted for some reason. Not physically hurt, as Shannon made sure. So it was safe for her concern to turn into amusement instead. "Long day?" She asked with a faint smirk, rubbing small circles into the brunette's back to coax some sort of response from her friend-turned-zombie.

[Jessica West]

Anyone else might've freaked out or demanded answers right away if Jessica did what she did to them. Fortunately Shannon wasn't one of those people. Instead of being pushed away, she was embraced with strong arms to keep her up. So Jessica was free to lean against the tall girl as much as she pleased.

She gave a little wordless nod at the blonde's question, not willing to talk just yet. She reveled instead at the few moments were she didn't have to fully support herself before turning her head to the side slightly. Speaking in muffled tones would get tiring quickly.

"I had to meet with the Grand Consul." She explained, as if that should be answer enough for her current state.

[Shannon Marks]

The little wordless nod spoke volumes even if the brunette didn't utter a word yet. Usually the woman was more put together than this. it would've been a cause for worry, but her expression didn't look distressed or saddened. Even if it was currently hard to see it with her face buried into Shannon's chest basically. Still, Shannon waited. It was miraculously easier to find patience than it had been a few moments ago.

When she did speak up, Shannon could understand the reasoning for her friend's current behavior. Of course, Shannon personally never had to deal with the Grand Consuls much. Her job was guided by the Grand Inquisitors, who would have much more interactions with Jessica's boss than Shannon would. If meeting one of them was anything like meeting one of the Grand Inquisitors, Shannon could immediately see why she'd be left exhausted. "What about?" She asked, glancing down to look at what little part of her face the brunette had revealed.

[Jessica West]

She knew the blonde wasn't demanding any answers. Shannon was too nice to Jessica for that sort of thing. She was only curious and by all means she had every reason to be. However, at that moment Jessica wasn't really in the mood to answer questions.

"There was bad news." She said, hiding her face once again with a long sigh. The fact she'd been coerced into being the messenger might've elicited some anger out of Jessica a few minutes ago. Right now? Right now she just wanted to go home.

So she tilted her head back to stare up at the woman who'd literally become her pillar of support in that moment. "I'll tell you more at home." She promised. Then she stared the blonde in the eye and put on the best pleading puppy dog face she could muster. "Carry me?"

[Shannon Marks]

It was abundantly clear Jessica wasn't really up to talking at the moment. That is, if the long sigh and way she hid her face again was any indication. Ironic, considering Shannon was normally the quiet one. Although with their roles reversed, it was a little funny to see her friend in such a state. So long as she did eventually tell Shannon what had happened, the blonde would be fine with waiting.

But uh oh, she knew that look. Rarely did it appear, but Shannon knew immediately that it was going to come with a request. This time it was to carry the girl. Eyebrows shooting up in surprise, she tilted her head down to stare at the girl. Not that carrying the brunette would be difficult at all. Really, it would be easy for Shannon to achieve. However, that meant she'd have to carry her all the way home. A sight like that was sure to get a few stares from anyone out and about. So instead of agree right way, she gave Jessica a particularly incredulous look. "Carry you?" She repeated.

[Jessica West]

To her credit, she maintained the eye contact when Shannon stared down at her. Was what she was asking a little ridiculous? Probably, yes. It would certainly prove a sight to see, having the normally stoic blonde carry her all the way home. A request like this couldn't come from just anyone. But Jessica wasn't one to give up so easily.

She nodded her head, keeping her expression the same. "I don't think I can make it all the way back on my own." She replied, and there was a bit of truth to it. Sure, she could manage to trudge her way there, but it would've likely taken a while.

"So unless you want to spend an extra hour than normal getting home...please?" She asked once again.

[Shannon Marks]

Curse that expression. Jessica knew well and good that it was exceptionally hard to say no to her when she was pulling off that look. Usually Shannon would look for a falter in it. A moment the look would waver in uncertainty. This time the eye contact was unbroken and still the smaller brunette kept it up. Shannon could practically hear the ever-growing cracks starting to stretch across her resolve. When it was paired with logic, that provided the last hammer strike to shatter her resistance.

Shannon rolled her eyes, making sure Jessica knew the ridiculousness of her request first. However, she let go of her with an arm to bend and scoop the smaller woman off her feet and into a bridal style carry. It would be much easier and less awkward to carry her this way. "You," She said with a pointed look, "are a big baby." Even if it was partially an insult, she couldn't help but say it a little fondly. The walk back home was sure to be full of stares, but she could ignore them for now. "And you definitely owe me an explanation for this."

[Jessica West]

At first, Jessica was afraid she'd asked too much when she saw the eye roll. When she was lifted though, so were her spirits. Smiling now, she only stuck out her tongue in response to being called a baby. It was a small price to pay to be relieved from walking the whole way home.

Feeling the pressure on her feet lessened was a wonderful thing, and she wasn't afraid to sigh in content at the feeling. "My hero." She breathed, half teasing and half serious. With an arm slung around the other woman's shoulders, she held on to her personal "ride" home.

She was well aware this was a lot to ask for, even between the two of them. "I promise I'll tell you everything. Really." She assured her again. It was the least she could do after this.

[Shannon Marks]

Hero? Now there was a term Shannon didn't hear often. The blonde smirked at the idea she'd ever be considered for a title like that. Even if it was in a half joking tone, from the way the brunette said it. Even so, "hero" or not, Shannon started on their way home with the smaller woman in her arms. Hopefully none of the other inquisitors or- heaven forbid- her own Grand Inquisitor would see her in that moment. Not that she'd feel ashamed or anything, but she could imagine the grief she'd get over it.

At least she got another promise for her trouble. Not that she'd doubted the girl wouldn't talk, but it was nice to be reassured. "You better." She said voice firm but playfully so. For a while, the walk was silent. Shannon purposefully ignored anyone else she even remotely spotted in her peripheral vision. However there was something plaguing her mind since they met. "You aren't in trouble, are you?"

[Jessica West]

Now that they were on their way, Jessica relaxed into the other woman's hold and rested her head. She would tell the blonde all about the meeting. One half of it was probably already common knowledge to the inquisitor. The other might be actual news.

It was nice seeing she was concerned though. Enough to put a little smile on her face, even if it was weary. "I'm not in trouble. Although someone will be." She responded as much.

"But later." She emphasized, frowning slightly at her friend. "Don't try to trick me into talking before we get back."

[Shannon Marks]

Shannon could at least be relieved that her friend wasn't in trouble. Considering who she'd had a meeting with though, the very fact she'd come out unscathed should've been answer enough. Although that could've been her own experiences with her leader talking. Reinhard Glais. The few interactions Shannon had been forced to have with him- considering she worked directly under him- told her enough to know she did not want to get on his bad side.

Curious as she was to find out more, Jessica was making it quite clear that if Shannon wanted to know anything more, she'd have to hurry home. So she rolled her eyes again and picked up the pace. The sooner they got home the better anyways. Shannon herself was tired from her work. Granted, she didn't have to deal with her own boss, but all the same she wanted to get home. The one place she could really relax. That was encouragement enough without Jessica's story to add to it.

One walk later with a lot of curious gazes- some receiving a heated glare from Shannon- and the duo arrived to the apartment they called home. It had been Tommy's idea to basically claim the place when the city had first been turned into something of a "refuge" against the plague. It was small, and not particularly nice in comparison to some of the other apartments or mansions in the area. that way no one would really think to argue against him for it. Thus they made a "lair" for their coven and the few humans picked to provide them with blood. Once Shannon reached the door to the unit they both shared, she stopped and gently placed the brunette on her feet. "Think you can make it through the door on your own?" She asked, poking fun at the woman while fishing the keys out of her pocket.

[Jessica West]

The rest of the walk was relatively silent, but the blonde did pick up speed. While she did that, Jessica found herself slowly drifting off into a short doze. She knew she probably should've stayed awake so she wasn't too out of it when she relayed her story. However she couldn't help it as her eyes drifted shut.

Only to snap back open when her feet touched the ground and she was no longer being supported. Nearly falling over, she grabbed at the blonde until she didn't feel like she was going to topple over. Her face scrunched up in a frown, and she swatted the other woman's shoulder.

"Do you always drop the people you carry without any warning?" She questioned. They were home though. So she was filled with more relief than annoyance, and immediately stepped inside once the door was open. The familiar scent and setting of the apartment put her at ease. She set a course for the couch and fell onto it in a graceless heap, sighing deeply into the cushions. This was much better.

[Shannon Marks]

Was that a hint of annoyance Shannon heard in her companion's tone? Shannon chanced a glance back at the brunette, but found her waiting for the door instead. Amused, she opened the door and didn't even try getting in first. A blur of brown passed before her and flopped down onto the couch before Shannon even shut and relocked the door. Chuckling, she merely observed her friend for a few seconds before making her way towards her. Since the couch was taken, Shannon settled for the smaller chair beside it.

"Don't you go falling asleep on me." She warned, slipping out of her jacket and tossing it onto the brunette. "You promised." She reminded her.