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"But.." Sherry really didn't know what to say to that. What exactly did he mean? She wasn't that much older than he was, was she? She had to agree as he continued. "Hm. I admit I don't really know what do with all the fancy, myself..."

There was a good chance they would not be staying late, though she didn't put it past Deus to NOT inform them of proper packing procedures. You never... Her phone buzzed when his did, and she checked hers in turn. "It would seem so," she said. If she sounded sad at all, it was the twinge of guilt she still felt. Stupid her. She couldn't...

"But what?" If they should get a move they should...

She gasped as he handed her the box. What? This was from...it was from... "Jake..."

She was slightly relieved at his warning. Ok. So he got her something tiny, no big deal. Except it was. Why would he even get her anything? At all? Not to mention she didn't deserve anything, not after...

"Jake, I can't...I..." her fingers were already opening it, curiosity also overwhelming. She was pretty sure her heart skipped a beat when she saw what it was. "Jake I can't, I really can't. It's...It's too much, and I..." She was crying again, stupid tears that just kind of fell from her eyes.

There was too much emotion. She was happy and grateful, but also guilty and angry at herself. She wanted it, she really did, but it was too much and after all.... "I love it....I really do. More than you could know. It's perfect and beautiful but... Why? Are you sure it's ok? Even after I-? "

This time when she reached out to grab him it was his right arm she caught. "Wait. Just wait, please." She turned him to face her.

"Thank you," she glanced to the open box she held. "I love it, it's just..." Her fingers came up to brush across his left shoulder. "I'm sorry." She really, really was. She hated herself for what she'd done. "Even after...?"

She slipped on arm around his neck then, and the other around his ribs, avoiding the wounded shoulder, and hugged him. "Thank you." Don't worry, Jake, she didn't squeeze too hard. She did leave a kiss on his cheek. And as an afterthought, one on his hurt shoulder.

He seemed ok, far less beat up about certain events than she was, to say the least. It...put her heart at ease a little, though she knew she'd be mad at herself for a while yet. She wasn't her weapon, she shouldn't act like that.

She did catch the flinch when she kissed his cheek. He didn't do touching, she knew that, and here she was hugging him. Good job, Sherry. Just make him uncomfortable, go on.

"Is that it?" She repeated, stepping back just a hair and looking at him. He'd also told her not to read too much into things. ... She knew what he meant. Were they done, could they leave? She took his hand in hers, her thumb pressing into his palm, and sighed. "Almost." Holding onto that hand of his, she leaned in and gave him a quick, soft kiss on the lips. "Thank you, I love it."

Sherry turned toward the door before she had any real chance to gauge his reaction, though she let her hand linger where it held his for a moment before letting go. "Dinner. Yes. We...need to return the key to Ofie, too."

Sherry took the fact that he hadn't shoved her away or freaked out as good. Always good, that.

She'd certainly enjoyed the kiss, as far as it had gone. But as she followed him out the door and too the elevator, she realized something else very important. She'd been crying. That meant she was going to dinner with red, puffy eyes. Dammit.

[Exit]