Hawaii

Stephen smiled, examining all of the scars she pointed out. He wasn't happy she was injured, but it made him smile because she had once been reckless, much like how Stephen acts today. "God... Just when I thought you couldn't get any more attractive..." He said, giving her a wink. Stephen already thought Elizabeth as a badass... Now, she's even more of a badass. He decided to test his skills in archery. As Stephen notched another arrow, he aimed, just the way he saw Elizabeth had aimed, and let the arrow go. Now, he hit the target... Well, a target. Technically, the tree. He sighed and lowered the bow. "I think I'll just stick to close combat..." He muttered, shaking his head slowly. "Anyway... Did you make any other friends while you were still living here? I mean, a girl with your..." he hesitated, trying to think of a way to say what he wanted to say without being struck. "... personality must have many friends." Stephen decided to just 'compliment' her when she wasn't wielding a deadly weapon.

Stephen noticed her expression after he spoke, and he chuckled quietly. As Stephen notched another arrow, he listened to her answer, nodding his head. "Well, lucky for you, I'm not as--," he let the arrow fly and it placed itself into the outer rings of the target, "scary as you." He glanced at her before notching another arrow, determined to get a bulls eye by the end of the day... Or at least, until the arrows ran out. "I'm sure I can introduce you to some of my friends. Some of them are even women. They were the only ones who thought I was cute."

Stephen smirked, "Don't be ridiculous, they'll love you." He chuckled as she complimented him, shaking his head. "Please, I'll never be as good as you, babe." He said, glancing at Elizabeth as she came closer. Yes, he was cocky. What did she expect? He was... Well, him. As he was about to loosen another arrow, he stopped himself before he could let go of it and chuckled as she offered her help. "Well, I guess a little help couldn't hurt."

Stephen chuckled as she instructed him, but tensed up as she made him spread his feet apart. He almost smacked her on instinct. Calm down. He wasn't getting frisked. He had a nervous smile on his face, letting her adjust him and followed her commands. "Okay... So now I--" his fingers slipped and the arrow sliced through the air and stuck itself fairly close to the center.

Stephen chuckled as he squinted, looking at the arrow that he had recently shot. He looked back at Elizabeth, waiting for another command. As she spoke, another familiar voice came and he flinched, looking at Tina who was as stealthy and quick at Elizabeth. Ohcrapohcrapohcrapohcrap. Stephen put on a dashing smile as Tina spoke to him. Please don't argue out here with the deadly weapons littered around. He was not eager to be caught in the crossfire of these two. After they were both done chatting, he answered with, "I think it's pretty awesome. There's a sort of satisfaction as I hear the arrows hitting it's target so... Yeah." Oh crap, why was he put in an awkward situation?

Stephen still had his smile on, but inside, he felt like he was ready to run. This lady is insane. She's bonkers. Someone should smack her upside the head! All of her gears weren't functioning properly. As Stephen caught Elizabeth, Tina drew her bow, fired, and whipped Elizabeth out of the way just as fast as he could take a breath. Psycho lady. There were bells going on in Stephen's head. When she had asked him to shoot, he figured he should just shoot hastily, maybe a missed shot will make Tina leave him alone. Stephen had notched an arrow, drew, and shot while looking at Tina the entire time. Stephen was pleased he didn't hi--
THUNK!
Stephen blinked, quite surprised he had hit something... Even more so when he saw where it landed.
"Bulls eye." He said aloud, dumbfounded that he had carelessly did all that and achieved his goal. Stephen chuckled nervously, "Well... I..." What was he supposed to say? Oh, I got that on accident.

Of all the times, now was the time Stephen got what he wished. As a feeling of accomplishment overtook him, he smiled. Before Elizabeth could finish her sentence, she was cut off by Tina. Stephen tried to come to her rescue by saying, "Elizabeth helped m--," but of course, he was no exception. Stephen just agreed with Tina, "Yes ma'm. I'll aim next time." He finished, slightly bowing. Stephen felt helpless. He had promised Elizabeth that he would behave himself, even if it meant that she would be treated like trash and he would be treated like a puppy in training. After Dustin had called Tina back inside, he dropped the bow and grabbed Elizabeth firmly on her shoulders and pulled her into an embtrace. He spoke no words, only hugged her tightly. She was being mentally abused... Somewhat abused. He didn't like it, but what could he do? This was family business. After being a grunt for the mafia, and working with an assassination group, he knew all too well that problems going on on the inside are meant to be handled by the inside. No outsiders should interfere.

Stephen knew Elizabeth would never admit that she was crying, and he didn't care. He just tightened the hug, letting her wet his tank top. As Elizabeth spoke, Stephen tried to quiet her. "Shhh... It's okay. Don't speak. Just relax." He said with a soothing tone. Stephen kissed her head, listening to her breathe in and out.

As Elizabeth looked up at him, Stephen almost felt like crying himself. She was so beautiful... A beauty like her shouldn't be crying. Hey, no. He wished he was a heartless bastard at this moment because he could feel his eyes becoming watery. He was a sympathetic crier. Oh god. Stephen put a finger to her lips after she was done speaking and said, "Stop talking. You're ruining the moment." He then kissed her on the lips for a brief moment. After he pulled away, he sighed and gave her a smile. "Damn."

Stephen sighed as he was being towed to the forest. "Okay, let's go." He said, allowing her to pull him where she wanted to go. If he was attacked... Well, he only had one shot at defending himself. A hidden blade. One quick thrust to the head. He shook off the thought and smiled as they went into tghe forest.

As Elizabeth equipped herself with a bow and a full quiver, he twitched. Stephen knew how to defend himself, but this forest was a completely new environment for him. He had n idea what to expect at every twist, at every corner. This was going to be fun. Stephen followed close behind Elizabeth as she led the way to her favorite spot. Although he knew Elizabeth must have been having no trouble maneuvering around, he was slightly different. Well, he didn't trip or anything to that extreme, just a few minor scratches from branches and high-sticking roots. If that wasn't bad enough, Stephen felt like he was being watched the whole time. All of his sense were telling him to get out. It reminded him of a time spent as an assassin. Eliminate the target without arousing suspicion. All around him, there were enemies. Of course, he was able to infiltrate his target's organization and passed himself off as an apprentice, but anything could happen. As they arrived at a little clearing, he noticed Elizabeth stop. He whistled, looking around. "This is... This is nice."

Stephen whistled a mellow tune, taking a seat at the edge of the water. Oh water, how I've missed you so. He sighed as he stared at it, creating a ripple of waves. As he did so, he heard a something hit the forest floor, and a flutter of feet moving away. Something must have been running. He sighed even louder, loving the peace of the forest. "Thanks for taking me here, Elizabeth. I love it." He said, his eyes still trained on the water.

Stephen was thankful for the peace and quiet. It was something he wasn't able to do since they started their trip, and sure as hell not at Elizabeth's home. He was content. As Elizabeth sat next to him, he glanced at her, wondering what s going through her mind. Was she upset? Maybe relaxed? Who knew? If Elizabeth was as unpredictable as her mother was, he wasn't going to ever tell what she felt. Only her quick movemtn snapped him into attention, the hidden knife itching to reveal itself, but after she relaxed and turned back, Stephen sighed, relaxing himself. "You know, I always had a fantasy that my dream girl and I would be next to a lake when we..." Stephen blinked, quickly changing the subject.

"Anyway, what's up with you?"