Rm 326, Saturday late afternoon through early evening

[fantastic_torch]

Johnny hadn't stayed at the Hotel last night. He had come home and slept in his own bed. Actually he had crashed because it had been pretty late.

This morning, he had showered, found something to eat, and came back to his room where he was planning on staying the rest of the day and evening.

He didn't need to see anyone or to talk about anything. But he wasn't in the best of moods and actually there was an ominous quality to his expression and manner of being.

Sitting at his desk, he was staring out his open window, his cell phone in his hand. He thought he might need to call Sue later.

[post is open but beware - he's growly]

Comments

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Having no idea that Johnny was in a bad mood, Savannah decided to stop by and say hello. The talk with Ronan the night before had been pretty nice and even though she had been out late, she was feeling pretty good.

She knocked lightly on the door.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"It's open," he called out, not looking towards his door.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah stepped in, but seeing the way he looked, she bit her lip.

"Johnny?" Her voice was soft and concerned.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He glanced over his shoulder, "Yeah?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

She hesitated, not sure what to do. Finally, she shut the door behind her and stepped closer.

"What's wrong?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He shrugged a shoulder, "Nothing. Why?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

He wasn't a good liar.

"Because something obviously has upset you... it shows."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Not in a good mood, Savanna," he said, staring down at his cell phone.

He had not listened to the radio last night.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Good thing he hadn't because she didn't want him to know she had been crying.

"Is there something I can... can I help?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He tapped his phone on his desk not saying anything for at least a full minute. "Indecision, Savannah - I don't like it."

Johnny did turn around to look at her and he looked hard, critically. "What is wrong?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Indecision about what?" She shook her head. "Nothing important. I'm concerned about you."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"You look like you've lost a puppy because you are concerned about me?" Yes, he was avoiding her question.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"I was feeling pretty okay until I saw that you looked like someone had taken away your favorite bike," she said quietly. "And why are you so surprised that I would be concerned about you?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I'm surprised that you look like you've been crying," he said tersely.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"It was stupid, is all," she said quietly. "Shit that I should have been over a long time ago made me cry like a weak wimp last night."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"It's not stupid if you cried over it," Johnny said. Swiveling his chair around to face her, he indicated that she could sit on his bed if she like with a jilt of his chin.

"Want to tell me about it?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

She sat down, looking at him.

"I'm not generally one to cry where people I care about can see it. I try to be strong and not cry so the people I care about know they can count on me... but this last week, hearing from Sean and then talking to him about how my Dad died... it just got to be too much for me, I guess."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"To cry is to be human, Savannah," he said low, searching her face. "It allows other people who care for you to know you are real and have emotions. Nothing wrong with it. Because you cry does not mean you are not strong."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Aren't I supposed to be making you feel better, not the other way around?" She gave him a faint smile. "I try to remember that, Johnny, but there are times that I feel that if I cry too much... people will lose faith in me." She was silent for a long moment. "Memories can be a real bitch."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He shrugged, "I'm in a mood." Then he shook his head. "That doesn't make sense to me. You cry when something bothers you, I don't see how someone can lose faith in that. I would see it as you being sensitive. I think girls should be sensitive to a point."

Johnny wasn't going to touch the subject of memories. His was still blatantly fresh in his mind.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah looked at him. "So... you wouldn't be bothered if I were to cry in front of you?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Of course I would be bothered, but not in a negative way, Savannah." He said, frowning. "I would care for you and hold you until you were all right."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"I believe you would do that." She nodded. "Would you allow me to do the same for you, then?"

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He snickered, "I don't cry."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Maybe not... but you do get hurt and upset," she pointed out.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Yes," he said. "I do."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Talk to me?" She asked softly.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny stared at her, her eyes, and reached out with his hand. "I don't want to talk."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah took his hand and stood up, then moved close and hugged him to her.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He hugged her and actually moved slightly, wanting to hold her in his lap.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah took the hint and let herself be settled in his lap, still hugging him and offering what comfort she could.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

Johnny pressed his face into her neck and held her close, his arms around her middle, and he inhaled deeply closing his eyes. "Thank you," he murmured.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"You're welcome, sweetheart," she said softly as she held onto him, running a hand along his back.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"Savannah," he whispered, "Will you stay here with me tonight? Just to lie there on my bed...sleep...let me hold you? Nothing more...I swear to you."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah thought about this for a long moment and then nodded slowly. She trusted him. "I need to make a couple of calls to let people know where I am and that I'm okay, but yes, I'll stay here tonight."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He hugged her tighter against him, nodding against her neck, "Thank you...I just need you, okay?"

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

This didn't make Savannah any less concerned, but if he needed her, then she was staying.

"Then I'm here for you," she reassured him softly.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"You can use my phone, you can use anything in here if you need it." He said, his hand moving up and down her back.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

Savannah nodded, leaning against him as she reached for the phone. She wasn't sure he was ready for her to get out of his lap yet, so she figured she'd stay sitting while she made her calls.

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

He wasn't ready and he didn't release her yet, he just sat still enjoying the comfort of her in his arms.

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

She dialed the phone and waited for the voice mail to pick up. "Hey, it's me. I'm staying at Johnny's room tonight and I wanted to make sure you knew where I was and that I was okay."

When she was finished making her calls, she hung up the phone and placed it back on the desk.

"There. Now no one will be freaking out when they can't find me."

[fantastic-torch.livejournal.com]

"I'm sorry," he said. "I don't want to make things difficult for you."

[walks-two-paths.livejournal.com]

"Stop that," she commanded gently, running a hand along his face. "You're not making things difficult at all. You need me, and I'm staying. The calls just guarantee Eve won't go on a rampage if she can't find me right away."