"Seven... Seven? Seven? Seven as in five hours before noon... seven?" Quit joking, James implored inside. Yet it was hard. Even when they were little kids, he always joked when around Anna, which seemed to be the norm, now. If I didn't joke she'd truly wonder what was up, he knew. But at times he wondered if that was all that came across. A joking fool who was just always silly.<br/><br/>"I only have a backpack and a couple other bits to bring. Anna, you don't mind if I reconfigure your home network, do you? No.. questionable.. films or pictures on your computer?" Wiggling eyebrows, he grinned. "I'm just kidding. But.. I will bring my computer. As Karl Malden, or whatever his name is says... Can't leave home without it!"<br/><br/>"Ethan, I will be there. You might have to hit my chest a few times to get this heart truly pumping at that ungodly hour... but I will be there." Turning to Anna, "But.. that means... any mishaps we get up to", giving her his most wicked grin, "will have to end far before that... so I can clean up the.. umm... mess." Looking back and forth, feigning shock at their expressions. "Hello! I'm talking about when I have to feed.. YOU.. in the morning!" Lifting up her arm, quickly, James let it fall, gesturing to Ethan, "See, she is so weak, we must make sure she is fed."<br/><br/>Absolutely, suddenly, dying for a cigarette, James stood. "I have to get out of place for a moment. Work will need a small update on how my progress was tonight." Watching them both, he sighed. "Ohhh jeez! Ok, I'm going outside. Let your minds wander on the reason." And with that, James was out of the room, hurrying down the hallway. Most hours of most days, he didn't feel the need to inhale smoke. Put him in a room with Anna, and that resolve, that strength... left. Instantly weak, the need was there like an elephant crushing his neck. All she had to do was look in his direction and all his words, thoughts, intelligent reasoning... were all out the window. Loving her was hard. It was a feeling inside he could never let her know. Instead, he resorted to jokes. But then hearing her laugh was nearly worse. At those moments, the cynical, crazy, chaotic feeling inside he always felt was brushed aside. Soft, beautiful eyes... a sweet sound he imagined whispering between his lips... always filled his mind. Joined by those adorable hands in his, her hair brushing down on his skin as he held her above him, and that sweet, mesmerizing smile.<br/><br/>After a cig, he had another.