<em>Stopping again in his tracks, Ethan turned and smiled at Anna, but spoke to James.</em><br/><br/>"Sounds like a good idea.  I'll wait until you get back - be off!"<br/><br/><em>His friend was nearly a basket case and Ethan wasn't sure if it was just the cigarettes.  Maybe he and James needed to have another talk about Anna, and soon.<br/><br/>When James had left, Ethan walked over to Anna's bedside, and gave her a look of real concern.</em><br/><br/>"Aw Anna...cut the guy some slack."<em>His voice was soft, and completely without reproach.  Hell, he had known James forever, and while he understood the guys crazy ways, sometimes they even got to him.</em><br/><br/>"Yea, he's acting pretty goofy, but seriously...he's just over the moon with worry for you."<br/><br/><em>Finding it difficult to not touch her, but ever aware that he didn't want his touches to be misconstrued, this time Ethan only ran a knuckle along Anna's jawline.  His hand then went into his pocket where he could keep it safe from further travels.</em><br/><br/>"I'll bet anything by the time you get home he'll be back to his 'NORMAL' crazy self."<em>Ethan chuckled, and hoped Anna wouldn't let herself become too worried about James.  That would certainly been defeating the purpose of them shacking up together, so to speak.</em><br/><br/>"Want me to take him home with me...let you get some rest?"<br/><br/><em>It was the least he could do, and even insure less alone time between James and his Anna.  God she was gorgeous, he mused while standing there looking down on her.</em><br/><br/>"Anything I can get you before I go?"<br/><br/>