Welcome to Gaia! ::

Sasha's eyes widened briefly when she caught him staring at her mouth, her tongue darting out nervously. Did she have something on her lips? She couldn't even remember what she'd eaten last. She was about to ask if she had something in her teeth when he turned his head away. That had been kind of strange. Okay, that had been really strange but the extenuating circumstances… well, it could have been stranger, Sasha supposed.

And despite the terrible way she'd acted towards him, the irrational frustration and flat-out annoyance that had been plaguing her the better part of the day, here was Jerry. Still being as nice as ever, and making her feel like absolute doodie while doing it. She didn't deserve his quietly spoken words, she didn't deserve his thanks. He truly was a wonderful friend, and Sasha sighed quietly.

Reaching up with one hand, Sasha cupped his heavily-scarred cheek. He looked haggard and hobo-like, and Sasha felt a pang of sadness for him. For him, and Bix, and even herself.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me too, Jerry," she whispered softly, a half-smile on her lips. Okay, everything was going to work out okay. They'd talk to the doctor and get this all straightened out, and everything was going to be fine.

"Maybe we should head back, hmm? I'm not sure when we should expect the doctor back, but… I need a shower and a good hair-brushing. Did you find your kit?"

She hadn't been expecting that, in truth. The desperate clutch of his arms around her was a shocking thing, but… well, she'd be lying if she said it wasn't welcome. He was her closest friend, and she trusted him. It felt … nice. Just being held. No demands made, just arms wrapped tightly around her - almost too tightly, but Sasha wasn't going to complain.

For a brief moment, she'd let herself forget about that scrap of paper. She'd let herself forget about the questions that raced through her mind, and she'd forget about the way the bottom of her stomach had dropped out when she'd first clapped eyes on the list. Sasha just wanted to enjoy the silence for a moment longer, just a minute longer before they had to head back to the suffocating confines of the underground bunkers.

"Everything is … it's going to be okay, Jerry." Her lips were close to his ear, and so her voice was a mere whisper.

"You have to," Sasha said quite simply, "because what will I do without you? Who will sing with me, and play instruments with me, and do silly things like music club?"

She paused, rearranging her arms so she could rub his back soothingly. Well, Sasha hoped it was soothing.

"You're my friend, Jerry, and I need you. No matter how.. how crazy things g-get."

It made Sasha sad to think that Jerry might really feel they way he did, that it wasn't just the stress about the list that was doing the talking. Sasha tightened her arms around him, sighing softly.

"I felt that way once. Right.. right after my papa died. There wasn't… there was nobody there. Just me, alone, and the silence was deafening. I never thought such a thing could be p-possible, you know? And like," she rested her forehead on his shoulder with a small, breathy laugh, "when I woke up, when everything was said and done, I was … here. A fresh start. A second chance, you know?"

He probably didn't. Sometimes it didn't even make sense to her, but when she thought about it, it made her feel a little better.

"It's … I'll be the first to admit that it's crazy, but… becoming a hunter? This island? Sometimes I feel like it saved me." Kind of a foolish notion to have, probably. "I .. I mean, then stupid garbage like this list thing happens and I get so frustrated and annoyed and … angry, too, but… I don't know. I don't k-know, Jerry."

She fell silent, just kind of rocking him side to side. Sasha didn't know if she'd made things better or if she'd made things worse, but… truthfully, she felt kind of better.

Once again she'd found herself in the role of support for Jerry. She wasn't too surprised; he seemed to have many problems of his own to work through, and this darned list was just one more straw added to the Jerry-camel's already bowed and strained back.

Sasha released him from her hold, sighing softly as she rose to her feet.

"I guess you're right. Y-you have everything you n-need?"

Sasha debated in silence. Some clothes, some real shampoo, some fresh shoes... these would all be nice things to have. Then again, she didn't really want to run into anymore creatures. She chewed on her lips for a few seconds before pressing them together in a line.

"Yes. Clothes, shampoo. My own hairbrush. And ah.." she cleared her throat.

"Other things."

A comb? Sasha huffed slightly under her breath, jumping when a little creature grasped at her. This wasn't so bad; these little things seemed to die easily.

"Not a comb, Jerry, gosh darn it." Her cheeks turned bright red.