Does that make me crazy? - Tagged

[Steven Hudson]

Acadia was an airy, upscale restaurant serving a variety of dishes. It was fancy but then for his sisters and Alyssa it was worth it. Steven picked it for its neutral location or at least the option of a quick fire exit if it was required. Apart from the dinner cutlery he knew of no sharp objects that could be used against either significant other his sisters brought and this was his one chance to see if they were suitable. Yes he was their big brother and he was going to make sure that everyone sat at that table knew it. A fed and a cop, that was what he was faced with and yes they might be armed but he was sure he could kill them if it was required.

With the help of the fire house maybe even make them disappear. His had failed once with Isla and he was never going to do that again for her sake and Emily’s. He had tried to ask around and work out who was who, Josh had a ‘you can trust him’ report on his side from Steph at work but even her say so he still had niggles about it. His sisters were his family and that meant something to him, any guy had better be a rock star and then some for them to ever be good enough though since their father was gone. It was his job to see if he could scare off the boyfriends.

Did that make him crazy? There was a distinct possibility of that but then Steven was simply himself. He had hit the last guy that had hurt Isla, landed himself in trouble but he hoped he had done enough to have the guy scared for the rest of his days. It however was different; he was dressed up in his best tux for the evening as he stood outside slightly away from the front door as he waited for them all to arrive. He fiddled with his sleeve and cufflinks that he rarely wore as he wondered if the evening was even a good idea as he paced lightly.

He had to do this; it was a family requirement to do this even if he felt like he never wanted to meet these two men at all. On the flip side there was Alyssa and what he might do to the two men what would his sisters do to her. In that thought he considered calling into work for an extra shift, an emergency that could take him away from this though given he had gotten off a shorter shift that afternoon he doubted that they would want to see his face back there for a day or two.

He took a breath smelling the early evening air as he tried to work out what to say to any of them. Just out right threaten a fed and Isla’s new guy, was that a smart move but then if it went badly at least he could patch them up before they were too badly injured. Unless of course they were taller than he was but then he was a paramedic he knew where things hurt. Just be normal he told himself as he pulled out his phone to check that everyone was still on their way or to see if anyone had cancelled last minute.

@alex, Alyssa Zorin, @emily, Isla Hudson, Josh Cameron

[Alyssa Zorin]

STATE OF THE ART

Alyssa had been running late. She wasn’t really the dress type but she’d settled on something conservative. There had been the whole getting off of work thing and the rush to take a shower. She’d taken a cab to get there as she didn’t want to deal with traffic. This was not what she had in mind when he said dinner. Stepping out of the cab she spotted Steven and headed over in his direction. “Sorry, I got hung up at work.” She quickly apologized but she looked like she had been in some sort of a hurry.

She wasn’t sure she was ready to meet so much of his family, but then again it wasn’t as constraining as his house and if things went wrong, it would be less awkward for her to leave. Though she was hardly the type to do that to someone. Especially after all that had gone on between them. Hell, she’d spent time with him in the hospital until he’d been released. Much of it had been just so there was always someone there while his sisters were working or staying with his mother.

Alyssa greeted him with a kiss to the side of the cheek as she attempted to get him to stop pacing. She wasn’t much for public affections but she owed it to him to not have things too awkward between them. She didn’t want him getting the worst of ideas or something. Social situations made her feel really awkward and she was already fidgeting as she cracked a small but nervous smile in his direction while they waited on the others.

There was too much going on in her mind to focus on any one thing right now. She took a few breaths and tried not to show her discomfort of the whole situation. Maybe she would relax shortly. Emily had seemed friendly enough over the phone given the circumstances of their conversation. She fidgetted some with her shoe as she rotated her ankle. Everything was awkward.

tags: Isla Hudson @emily Josh Cameron @alex Steven Hudson

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[Isla Hudson]

This probably was a very bad idea, but it had been on impulse that Isla had asked Alex along to the big family 'snoop-out-the-siblings-universal-companions' dinner that Steven had arranged.  Well, it had actually kind of been Alex who had asked her out, and comparing dates, and "Well, I have this dinner with my brother and sister, so why don't you come to that..."

And here she was, walking into this, against her better judgement...not that she wasn't looking forward to getting to know Alex better, and in a way, this was a 'safe' venue, if things started to get uncomfortable or awkward, there were other people to deflect that.  Of course, those same people could make things uncomfortable and awkward!  Steven, in particular, could be over-bearing, especially when it came to any man who even dared look at his sisters, and even Emily could be teasing.

Not only that, but Big Brother had declared that this was going to be 'formal', something that tended to make her uneasy to begin with...it made her feel kind of like she was in costume, a character and not really Isla, and besides, she really didn't have anything that nice, which had meant a shopping trip, not that Em had minded that...

Now, here she was, walking into the fray, dragging an unsuspecting Alex with her, and thinking that it wasn't too late to turn back...she could stay outside, wait for Alex to show up, and they could just run off to Chuck-E-Cheese or something!  But then, Steven would probably hunt them down...

Sighing, she entered the restaurant, spotting Steven and the pretty blonde right away.  With a smile, she crossed over to them and waited for the introduction.

Alyssa Zorin, Steven Hudson, @alex, @emily, Josh Cameron

[Deleted]

Emily couldn't ever remember being this nervous about a date before, if it was going to be just her and Josh it wouldn't have been nearly so bad. However, she was about to introduce Josh to both of her siblings at the same time. She had warned him and told him that he didn't have to do this if he didn't want to, even calling him while she was getting dressed and telling him that she could always tell Steven that she was sick.

Emily had taken the day off of work to make sure she was ready for this. She and Isla had gone shopping for new dresses for the evening, and she had to say that she was pretty happy with the red off the shoulder dress she had found. She had gone and gotten her hair and makeup done so she really did feel like a princess, hoping that at least if things started to go bad She could just leave with Josh and avoid her family for the rest of forever.

She wasn't really worried about Isla, and oddly enough she already liked Alyssa since talking to her on the phone. The other woman had impressed her by not leaving Steven alone, it had taken a lot of stress off of Emily since she had to continue to work and then go home to take care of their mother. It was Steven that scared her the most, there was no telling what her overprotective brother would do to Josh and Alex. Emily was all for checking Alex out, because if he wasn't good enough for her baby sister she would have no problem telling him that.

It was a beautiful night and Emily decided to wait outside for Josh to arrive so that they could walk in together.

Josh Cameron,Steven Hudson,Alyssa Zorin,Isla Hudson,@alex

[Josh Cameron]

Josh had never been so nervous in his life before that evening, meeting Emily’s family that was supposed to be a good thing right? He knew that family meant a lot to Emily and her brother did too from all she had told him about the man so it was only fair. It was just one dinner, two siblings and hopefully if their other halves came long too he wouldnt be the only nervous person at the dinner table right? He had only spent half an hour trying to work out if he could take himself hostage and excuse himself from the dinner.

It would be entirely unfair on Emily to have her there alone for a start and he wasnt about to leave her to this. It was just like any work thing, if he stayed calm and tried his best what was the worst that could happen he wondered to himself as he got himself dressed in his best suit in an attempt not to turn up in his more favoured combat pants and t-shirt. Not the greatest impression for the address he was heading to as he considered having work on speed dial or at least being on call for a back up if required though again that was unfair if anything did come through to interrupt a dinner.

Josh had made sure to finish work early that day, a first for him though he didnt want to be late if he got detained by anything. The taxi ride over he sat and watched his phone looking for any sign that Emily was calling it off or really just anything that might signal if this was going to be a disaster. That was until the taxi pulled up outside and he saw Emily in that red dress. It took him a moment to stop staring as he got out of the taxi and paid before making his way over to her. Josh grinned at her trying not to stare too much.

“Wow Emily, you look fantastic” He said before shaking his head, “Not that you dont usually look fantastic but gorgeous or amazing or wow.” He decided to stick with as he held out his arm for her. “So are you ready for this?” He asked her not sure if his nerves were out of terror, just nervousness or just hopeful for a good night that he didnt manage to screw anything up.

Tag: @alex, Steven Hudson, Alyssa Zorin, Isla Hudson, @emily

[Deleted]

    Alex had gotten the text shortly after his and Isla's first actual date, a short coffee break while both were at work a few days before.  Thankfully her hospital was in his district, so visiting her was easy, something he was going to make a habit out of.  But when the text read formal, he panicked a bit.  His nice clothes hadn't arrived from Minnesota yet, instead he had been bumming around in his apartment in shorts and old faded t shirts he had shoved in a duffel.  So earlier in the day, he had gone shopping.  He had no idea what she was going to wear, so he opted for a pair of black dress pants and black button up.  Mix in a narrow blue tie and the charcoal grey suit jacket, and he thought he looked pretty presentable for the evening.  He normally didn't wear a jacket, but he wore his duty gun on his hip, so he had to cover it.  Call it personal preference but only he and Isla needed to know that he was armed for the night.  

    Following his GPS, Alex rolled into the lot outside the restaurant that had been specified for the night.  He parked his Silverado in a back spot, and got out.  He checked himself in the mirror, assuring he appeared as tidy as possible.  The last thing he wanted was to start the night off on a sour note by looking bad and imparting a poor impression.  Besides, he wanted this thing to work with Isla, and that meant he had to do the dance for her family, so they would actually like him.He considered buttoning the jacket, but opted for the loose open front.  Alex wasn't used to looking formal; in fact he usually tried to avoid it.  He turned, satisfied with how he looked, and began crossing the parking lot to the entrance.  

    Alex located the front door and wandered towards it.  He passed a well dressed couple standing near the front; he nodded and said hello to him as he passed.  He was certainly an oddity for this city.  Most people wouldn't even give another the time of day.  However, he came from a state known for its politeness and friendliness, so for him to not at least acknowledge other peoples presences felt odd to him.  Stepping into the lobby of the restaurant greeted him with wonderful smells of delicious foods and the low rumble of conversation.  He declined the coat check and told the host he was with a party for the night.  He took direction from the greeter and entered the dining area.  He performed a quick scan of the scene, and located a familiar figure near a table with a few others guests.  He made his way through the tables and stepped in next to someone who still gave him butterflies every time he saw her.  Casually and a bit cooler than he had hoped, he slid a hand around Isla's waist and leaned in to whisper in her ear.  "You know, I thought the scrubs were great, but that dress on you nearly gave me a heart attack when I walked in."
    

[Steven Hudson]

Steven grinned when he saw Alyssa; it was nice to know that he had someone there with him for this occasion. He knew the dinner was a little strange but then it gave everyone the option to go their separate ways if everything turned out to be a disaster. It also gave the two new guys in his sister’s lives an pass on death in his mind. No one messed with his family and he would make sure that these two knew that the minute he saw them for the simple reason that family was family.

“It’s okay, no one else is here yet anyway. I’m just glad you’re here. Thanks for coming.” He said smiling as he kissed her back, managing to stop pacing for that as he practically forgot to restart that again. “You look amazing; I mean you looked gorgeous on the first day I met you but you stunning Alyssa.” He said with a smile. Steven could see her fidgeting as he wondered if a public dinner was the right way to go or maybe he should have split this for each sister. “It’s okay; I promise my sisters are nice. At least to you, to me not so much but I don’t know much about their dates for tonight.” He said though he knew Alyssa knew what this was for, the ‘do the wrong thing and upset my sister and you die’ conversation.

It was perhaps a step too far but then what of making himself perfectly clear no matter what was going on. Steven lead the way in side as he saw Isla arrive as he grinned, from the little kid he had grown up with she had come a long way and even more so within the last year. He was undeniably proud of her but then who would say anything other than as he was of both his sisters. This was the strangest thing as he was all but ready to interrogate his sisters other halves but when he thought about it.

He had inadvertently just put Alyssa in that same position. Steven smiled as he put an arm around Alyssa, “So Isla this is Alyssa and Alyssa this is Isla, my baby sister.” He said glad to introduce the two of them as he wondered how this was going to go. One sister was here so that left his eldest sister though where she was he had no idea. He liked Alyssa a lot though his sisters he had no idea what they would think as he felt nervous as he thumbed at his shirt cuff for a moment waiting to see what the two women would do. Then it was as if he had seen his sisters first boyfriend, he could see the arm that the man placed around her.

In a sense it was nice to see though he could feel himself tense for a moment, her previous guy had done the unforgiveable to her and now Steven was as overprotective as ever of his sisters. Not that he felt they were unable to take care of themselves but certain things he had no issue with stepping into the middle of at all.

Alyssa Zorin, Isla Hudson, @emily, Josh Cameron, @alex,

[Alyssa Zorin]

STATE OF THE ART

Alyssa was glad to see Steven’s mood take a turn for the better when she approached. Part of her was jealous of his sisters, at least they had someone watching out for them. Maybe if she had someone looking out for her, she wouldn’t have fallen for someone who had killed her brother in cold blood. Regardless of how she’d been treated by Aleksandr, that had been her brother. Emily and Isla had an amazing brother who looked out for them.

“Ya by ne propustil eto” realizing her Russian was coming out in her anxiety she stopped and translated herself. “I meant to say I wouldn’t miss it.” She was mixing languages and her Russian tongue just happened when things had her on edge. Then he complimented her and she turned a bright shade of red. “I appreciate the sentiment.” She thought about telling him to stop flattering her, like she had in the past but to be honest it felt good to have someone build her up right now.

“They are lucky to have you looking out for them.” She meant it; trying to push back everything awkward about this right now. She leaned on Steven’s side when he said his sisters were nice. She’d only half met Emily through a very awkward phone conversation. To be honest, she was kind of hoping that Emily would show up before the sister she had never met.

Alyssa extended her hand confidently despite the social awkwardness she was feeling to retreat. Social butterfly was not a nickname used to describe the pilot. “It’s nice to meet you.” Okay pleasantries couldn’t go wrong could they? Alyssa was here as a favor even if she was totally head over heels for Steven. It wouldn’t have taken her long to turn down a social invitation to anywhere she didn’t know people.

Steven’s body tensed and Alyssa felt it. Her hand traced on his back, in a soft manner. She could tell that she might have to keep an eye on his temper. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d had dated someone with a bit of a temper issue. She just tried to focus on keeping him from diving off the deep end. After all it was just a hand, the same hand Steven currently had placed around her in fact. Alyssa really hoped she could avoid being the subject of a conversation about hypocrites. She took a breath, this was going to be a long night.

tags: Steven Hudson,Isla Hudson,@emily,Josh Cameron,@alex

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[Isla Hudson]

Watching the exchange between her brother and the pretty blonde, Isla could easily see that there was something there, in the way that Steven was looking at her and just in the way he was treating her...this one was a keeper!

There had been girls before, a few of them had been really nice, and Isla had liked them, and a couple were still friends. But Steven was...difficult sometimes, and she knew that it would take someone special to meld with him, and she really hoped he had found the right girl. That said, she didn't believe in pursuing a relationship just for the sake of being in one...been there, done that, and it hadn't worked out too good!

She smiled at Steven as he put his arm around her and introduced her to Alyssa, giving him a playful nudge wit her hip.

“So Isla this is Alyssa and Alyssa this is Isla, my baby sister.”

"Hey! Almost registered nurse, you mean!" Nodding to Alyssa, she took a step away from her brother and accepted the woman's hand.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

"Same! I'd say we've heard a lot about you, but he's been pretty tight-lipped." She grinned, "That's a good thing, though! And if he gives you any trouble, I have plenty of blackmail stories!"

Then she spotted Alex and felt her heart quicken just a bit, a silly thing since they really didn't know each other well. But, well, she couldn't help it and she started toward him to greet him, grateful that she hadn't tired to wear heels...the flats she had on made for a better chance at escape if they needed, and if saved her from making a fool of herself by tripping on her own feet, all the better.

Mindful that her brother was watching, she stepped into Alex's light embrace, careful not to be too intimate...maybe for Steven's sake or her own, she wasn't sure...there was still a hesitation to completely give over to a man, and she still needed to get to know him better.

"You know, I thought the scrubs were great, but that dress on you nearly gave me a heart attack when I walked in."

She giggled, then started to laugh, scrunching her shoulder up to her ear as she actually pushed against him a bit to get away, but not, if that made sense...He'd found the one spot where she was incredibly ticklish, and Steven would know that. He had made it his mission when they were kids to torment her by hissing in her ears, putting her into fits of laughter, bring her to her knees at times.

"I'm sorry," she gasped, trying to catch her breath as she looked at Alex, still giggling. "It's not you....You! Oh! Steven, this is Alex...and Steven, and that's Alyssa..."

Oh, well, things didn't often go as planned, and there was still Chuck-E-Cheese!

Steven Hudson ,Alyssa Zorin ,@emily ,Josh Cameron ,@alex ,

[Deleted]

Emily smiled as she saw Josh get out of the cab and start walking towards her, she didn’t notice him staring because she was too busy trying not to stare at him. While she definitely thought he looked good no matter what he was wearing, he…. Wow, the man looked hot in a suit. As he got closer she smiled up at him, “Hey you,” She said as she kissed his cheek, “Thanks for coming.”

She blushed when he said she looked fantastic, Isla had assured her that she looked good in the dress but hearing it from Josh was different. As she wrapped her arm around him rather than taking his offered arm she looked up at him and smiled, “So do you.” When he asked her if she was ready for this she laughed and leaned her head on his chest, “Not really, you?... You know it’s not too late to leave and go somewhere else though my brother would likely hunt us down, so I guess we better head on inside.”

As they walked through the front door Emily spotted her brother and sister right away, holding Josh even tighter she led him towards the group. She smiled at the woman who must be Alyssa, Emily was looking forward to finally meeting her. They had talked over the phone and Emily was anxious to thank her for everything she had done for Steven while he’d been in the hospital. Smiling at Isla and sizing up the man with his arm around her, Emily decided that Isla looked happy enough so that was at least a few points in Alex’s favor. As far as anything else she’d reserve judgement until she knew more about him.

As they joined the group she leaned into Josh’s side taking a deep breath, “Josh, this is Steven my brother… and my baby sister Isla.” Turning back towards Alyssa she extended her hand, “You must be Alyssa… it’s nice to finally meet you and get a chance to personally thank you for everything you did to help us out while Steven was in the hospital. As she turned to Alex she smiled, “Which means you must be Alex… I’ve heard so much about you the past few days, and if you live up to even half of what I’ve heard you’re pretty ok in my book.”

Leaning back into Josh she smiled up at him, “And I’d like you all to meet Josh.”

Steven Hudson , Alyssa Zorin , Isla Hudson , Josh Cameron , @alex ,

[Deleted]

    Alex felt Isla's push, but it wasn't one to get away, more like a playful nudging.  He didn't know why, but she must have been ticklish or sensitive.  He brought the gap between them a few inches wider to allow her a chance to recover, but also because he noticed a fairly peculiar reaction out of Steven, across the table.  Alex was aware there was some kind of violence in Isla's past, that must be the cause of her brother's reaction.  It was imperceptible to the rest, but you don't work nine years of traffic without picking up the subtle body cues from people who had high running emotions.  Alex totally understood where the man came from too.  He didn't want to begin the night on a bad note, so instead of shying away from the flurry of introductions and greetings, he thrust himself into it.  It was in those large group settings that he found his calm, and for once he had someone by his side that further allowed him to relax.  He needed to make an impression now, almost like a statement of his intentions.  There was family around, and if things were to work out between Isla and him, he wanted as many people on his side as possible.  

    Breaking contact from Isla, alex stepped forward and held his hand out to Steven first.  "So I hear you're a medic.  I'm happy to meet you,  I'm sure we'll bump into each other a few times on the street.  Under the best of circumstances though, I hope."  He said as they shook.  Alex turned slightly to the woman sitting next to him.  "And Alyssa.  Military?  I have some family in the Army and Navy, you can always tell the type.  It's a good thing, I have nothing but respect for those who serve.  I never got the chance, Asthma, but you can believe I tried my hardest to get in."  After shaking her hand, he rotated to greet the two he had seen outside as he walked in.  "Emily.  Isla mentioned you are a nurse?  I can tell you right now, your sister is good at what she does.  We met while she was tending to my injuries, and She did so well I just had to buy her lunch as a thank you."  Finally, he turned to the man standing next to Emily.  He must be a newcomer to the group as well, because he had the same look of quiet reservation that Alex probably wore, since they both were being thrust into a new situation with many unknowns.  You work in Law Enforcement long enough, and you begin to develop an aversion to encounters where you had a lack of control and too many unknowns.  Alex didn't make that clear to the group, in fact he was cool as ice right now.  "Josh Cameron?  I recognize you from a file I was given when I started FTO.  You work on the Hostage Team through the FBI right?"  Alex completed his greetings, and stepped back, unconsciously straightening out his tie.  Unfortunately, he did tend to get a bit fidgity when he was nervous, and it was starting to show.  Hopefully it didn't show too much, because if it started it usually lasted the night.  Alex wanted to seek refuge with Isla, even a slight touch would calm him down a bit, but at this point he felt it would be in good taste to allow her to make a move, if there was one.  If Steven was as protective as Isla had mentioned, he didn't want to create a situation that would leave a black mark on his reputation.  

[Josh Cameron]

Josh felt like a monkey in a suit, it wasnt that he didnt have one it was just one of those adjustment times that he preferred his tactical gear or a look that was a lot more dressed down than this. It felt strange wearing it as he thought more beers and a bbq for meeting Emily’s brother and sister but then when he heard the other halves were coming too he felt a little less awkward about it. At least he wasnt going to be the only one in the boat there that was first for meeting people. “Hey.” He said kissing her back for a moment, “My pleasure, wouldnt miss it for the world.”

He knew he had tried to think of something to miss it but then family was family right, how would it look if he didnt appear at all and left Emily hanging. Josh grinned when she wrapped her arm around him as he dropped his offered arm. “Thanks but not as good as you.” He stated smiling when he heard her laugh. “No but then again why not and like you say I dont want to get on this guys bad side at all.” Josh knew better than to walk away from something like this no matter how tempting it was though sure he might look at the room through that of a negotiator until he knew where everything was going to fall.

Walking into the place Josh noticed the group of four people stood there as he had no idea who they were. Josh kept the slightly awkward smile on his face as they approached not sure what to expect from them all or who was going to make what leap first. Was it wrong to think if they were all arguing and had guns he might have felt a lot more relaxed when he knew what his job was than when people were smiling and he felt nervous.

Josh smiled and held his hand out to Steven and then to Isla. “Nice to meet you both.” He said as he glanced at Alyssa and Alex, Josh extended his hand to Alyssa. “Pleasure to meet you tonight. Mind me asking how long you’ve served for?” He said smiling; it was like a bunch of hands and hello’s he thought for a moment as he at least figured that the arguing hadn’t started yet so that was a positive. Josh listened to how Alex and Isla had met as he smiled, at least he wasnt the only one to have met someone in the ER or through work related things.

It was easy to tell that Alex was a cop, there was a way about each one of them as much as it was easy enough to tell that Alyssa was military current or former he wasnt too sure. Alex however seemed to be taking everything in his stride as the man seemed cool as ice about all of it which Josh wasn’t too sure about. “Yes that’s me.” He said to Alex nodding, “Yes I work hostage rescue, it’s how I met Emily here on a very strange ER visit. Though glad to see that someone reads the files though. It’s great to meet you but correct me if i’m wrong but aren’t you Officer Beachwood, the guy with the interview skills?” He asked not sure if he had the right guy but then names floated around the federal building all day long unless he had just confused two names he had heard.

Josh smiled as Emily leaned back into him he was happy for that because at least he wasnt on his own in this as he kept his hands in his pockets unsure where was appropriate for them. It wasnt like he would do anything stupid with them but not that he wasnt respectful but given her brother was there it was like playing a mine field with this stuff as he glanced at Alex who seemed more nervous than ice cube as before. He could certainly relate to that he thought.

Tag: Steven Hudson, Alyssa Zorin, Isla Hudson, @emily, @alex

[Steven Hudson]

Steven knew how to look after people, it was the very thing he had done for most of his life. His sisters and mother were his world from a young age and his first wife had understood that to a point. She was the one person he had failed to look after which he knew made him protective of those he got close to. He had failed to protect his sister from ‘Jerk Face’ and though he wished he had done worse to the guy he knew it would never fix what had been done to Isla. It was why he was being protective over both sisters now; he had to be it was his job to make sure they were with decent people.

Upon hearing the Russian Steven glanced at Alyssa, he was good but another language good had him stumped at what she was trying to say. “Ah, you had me wondering there for a minute but thanks; it means a lot that you’re here.” He said knowing that if she had been unable to make it he might have blown his top and just gone straight at each guy with his whole, hurt my sisters and I hurt you speech he had hidden away for this exact occasion. “The sentiment, it’s way more than that. You look fantastic.” He said knowing she had told him before about flattering her but then again he would never stop doing that.

“You could try telling them that but I know they realise it, maybe not so much after tonight but then again. It’s family.” He said with a smile as he felt her lean on his side. He was glad she was here he thought because at least everyone would know everyone now. Steven tried to smile when he felt Alyssa’s hand on his back; he needed to calm down his sister would say if there was something wrong he told himself. Just because a guy had his arm around her, it was normal he tried to tell himself to stop from jumping off the deep end over it.

Steven felt the nudge by Isla as he grinned. “Sorry, Alyssa this is Almost Registered super nurse Isla.” He corrected himself though hearing that he had been tight lipped about Alyssa, well he knew what his sisters were like so telling them little about her was a good idea in his head. What he might dish out to their two gentleman friends he knew would and could be turned on himself easily. “Hey no stories or I start telling too...” He teased though there were plenty of stories to go around. Steven saw the way Isla reacted to Alex, he knew she was ticklish though he tried to let it go when he was introduced to the man. “Nice to meet you Alex.” He said as he shook the mans hand.

“Yes I’m a medic, I hope to bump into you under the best of circumstances too but if you need a hand you know where I’ll be. Since you’re with Isla too, you’ll get the first class treatment too from medics.” He said though for what they did for work it was likely safer that the two met under great circumstances rather than work. The last thing he wanted was to see the man in an ambulance, unless he mistreated Isla and then it was likely.

It was then he saw Emily arrive with her distraction and hold my hand guy. Oh he had heard all about that day at the hospital and frankly Steven was far from impressed even if he did have a good recommendation from Stephanie at fifty one. Steven shook Josh’s hand as he glanced between him and Alex; well so far they seemed like normal people even if Josh hardly looked like he thought the guy might. Given what Emily had said he was the exact opposite but then again they still had to get through dinner.

“Nice to meet you both Alex and Josh, I’ve heard a lot about you both.” Steven said as he eyed the two of them carefully before glancing at his sisters. They were not off the hook yet but as first impressions went, it could have been worse he thought. One could have been late or one might have found an excuse and he had been pleasantly surprised by the fact that everyone had showed up.

Alyssa Zorin, Isla Hudson, @emily, Josh Cameron, @alex,

[Alyssa Zorin]

STATE OF THE ART

Alyssa stepped back from Isla and looked between the group. Though she was staying close to Steven. When Emily came up she took her hand and shook it. “It’s not a problem.” She was glad that Steven was still there and honestly, Alyssa didn’t mind doing the guy any favors after all he had done for her.

Then she was lost in a whirl of military and service and hostage rescue and cops. “Air Force, 16 years, still serving.” The woman replied. Though she sunk closer back to Steven after shaking both men’s hands. Alyssa and cop or hostage rescue didn’t go well in the same sentence. Steven knew what had happened with her ex.

Alyssa moved towards the edge of the table where she could avoid the whole cop talk. She wasn’t sure what to say but she didn’t want to give them the impression she hated them, it was more she was eeary of them. Watching suicide by cop was hardly an experience she wanted to remember.

Alyssa sat down and exchanged a nervous glance at Steven. Though she would be civil and try not to say anything she could feel her body tightening. No her idiot ex had done that to himself. This wasn’t a cop’s responsibility. She smiled politely; but it was just to cover up what was going on in her head. Her hand rested clutching Steven’s and she didn’t want to let go.

tags: Steven Hudson,Isla Hudson,@emily,Josh Cameron,@alex

✦

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[Isla Hudson]

Well, so far so good, Isla thought as the introductions went around. At least Steven hadn't lobbed off any heads yet, and if he started being a big brat, she had blackmail videos of him screaming on a zip line, and pictures of him sitting in a big chair with his feet in a water bath while he was getting his fingernails buffed!

And she couldn't help but wonder if this whole formal thing wasn't big brother's sneaky way of putting everyone just a bit off-balance, since, well, getting into this sort of costume changed the mood of things over, say, a pool party and barbecue!

Pleased with Alex's confidence in the face of the Lion, she gave his hand a squeeze, then moved over to the table, wondering if Steven had a 'seating order' in his head, but deciding that, especially wit Alyssa having taken a seat, she would just wing it. She moved to the seat on Alyssa's left, then settled as Alex held the chair for her.

"Thank you," she murmured with a smile, then she took a quick, nervous sip of water and addressed Josh. "Hostage team? That must be so stressful sometimes..." They all ran the risk of losing a patient, or a victim, but it was one thing when they had a devastating medical condition, and another when it was someone alive and vibrant, then taken out by someone who was angry or crazy or just bent on mindless destruction.

"I don't think I'd have the patience for that. I'd want to do something..." Kind of an odd declaration coming from someone so easy-going, but she hated the thought of anyone in distress for any amount of time.

Steven Hudson,Alyssa Zorin,@emily,Josh Cameron,@alex,