Title: Road to Recovery
Author: fbi-woman
Rating: K / PG or whatever
Type: The Invasion
Spoilers: Should definitely see the movie first or it'll give the end away.
Disclaimer: I own nothing and I'm not claiming to. This is just an original work inspired by a movie.
Summary: What happened between Carol and Ollie getting on the helicopter and the scene one year later. Carol/Ben. (Based on the movie starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig)
A/N: My first Invasion piece. I haven't read the book or seen any of the other movies, so this is based solely on the most recent version. I'm also writing this from my memory of seeing the movie in theatres, so I apologize for any inconsistencies. I also apologize for any errors on the scientific side; I've only done first year bio, so I'm not an expert by any means. Let me know what you think and if you want more. No flaming please, but all other comments welcome.
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Carol dutifully followed Stephen and the armed military crew from the windy fury of the helicopter and into the sanctuary of the quarantine, still frantically clutching Ollie to her side. People of all genders and races rushed by her in white lab coats, carrying clipboards of flapping papers or vials of blood to be tested. Glancing around suspiciously, Carol searched for signs of the foreign virus; relieved, though terrified she had been lured into a trap. The curious faces, excited and concerned tones, and lastly the reassuring smile from Stephen, slowly coerced her into acceptance. As she began to relax, she could feel the fatigue weighing heavily on her body, and it quickly became a conscious effort just to keep her eyes open and her feet moving. She had come so far, there was no way she would surrender now. She had to do this for Ollie. She had to keep them safe.
Stephen led them down a slightly smaller hallway, finally opening the door to a small, vacant, and barren room. He ushered them inside, hitting the light switch and shutting the door behind him.
"Sorry about the furniture; we moved everything we could find to set up workstations."
Carol just nodded. Her mind was slightly foggy in her sleep deprived state.
"Okay, here's what's going to happen. You two are the only ones in this building who have been infected with the virus, and we want to keep it that way until we have the vaccine worked out. The last thing we need is contamination and risk of sabotage. So what I'm going to do is take a blood sample from each of you," he said, pulling out two needles, "and then we're going to try and isolate the antibodies in Ollie's blood, and introduce them into your sample, Carol. If they do in fact produce immunity to the virus, they should destroy your viral cells upon entry. Got it?"
Carol nodded again, haphazardly pulling on her sleeve and tossing her arm to the side.
"Now Carol, look at me."
Her eyes fluttered momentarily before focusing on his face.
"It is absolutely imperative that you do not go to sleep until we have prepared the vaccine. I know you're tired, I know it's been a long time, and you'll be able to sleep soon enough, but not yet, okay?"
"Okay" she mumbled weakly.
"Ollie I'm counting on you to make sure your mom doesn't go to sleep."
"Okay. She won't, I promise. Right mom?"
Carol smiled and nodded slightly, stroking her child's hair while Stephen took the sample.
"I'm going to go get started on these, and then I'll be back to let you know where we're at, and bring you something to eat."
The door shut behind him, and Carol let her head fall back against the wall, closing her eyes.
Stephen stretched and rubbed his eyes. He had been looking through this microscope for hours, trying to isolate the antibodies for extraction, purification, replication, and creation of a vaccine. To his amazement, the viral cells did not even attempt to fight the invading antibodies, and the virus was completely eradicated from the sample within minutes. Now came the tricky part: figuring how to safely introduce it into an infected individual, and how much would be required. His part however, for the time being, was completed, and it was now up to the team of Nobel scientists to assemble the vaccine. He looked down at his watch and winced: it had taken him a lot longer than he thought, and poor Carol must be wearing thin. She was a strong woman, but he wasn't sure how much longer she could last.
He dashed to the food storage area, grabbing two sandwiches and water bottles for Carol and Oliver, before jogging down to their isolation room. He knocked tentatively and listened for an answer.
"Who is it?" a small, suspicious voice called from inside.
"Ollie, it's Stephen. I've got some food for you and your mom."
"Okay."
He tentatively opened the door, and saw Ollie cuddled up with Carol, exactly where he had left her. Her face was ashen, her hair a tousled mess, and dark circles lined her closed eyes.
"Carol?"
She groaned softly.
"How are you doing?"
"Mmmm."
"I brought you a sandwich and a drink. You should eat something."
She shook her head almost imperceptibly.
He walked over to the pair and sat down on the floor with them, passing a sandwich and a bottle to Ollie, who quickly tore into them.
"It's not going to be long now, I promise. They're working on the vaccine right now. The antibodies worked perfectly. It'll all be over soon."
"Mhm." The sound was losing volume each time.
"Come on Carol, stay with me. You can do this. I know you can. Tell me a story."
"'Bout what?" she slurred groggily.
"Anything. Just keep talking. Um… tell me about that dinner party you went to with Ben."
"Mmm. Had dinner."
"That's not a story. Where was it?"
"Friends'."
"At his friends'? Was it that couple we met before I came here?"
"Mhm."
"And who did you sit next to besides Ben?"
"Russian. Diplomat. From before."
Well, he thought, that was almost a sentence. "The man who was infected?"
She nodded.
"What did you talk about?"
"Humanity."
"Oh!" he chuckled, "I bet you had quite an earful to say about that."
She smirked, her eyes still closed.
"Then what happened?"
"Went home."
"That's it?"
"Mhm."
"Ok, then tell me something else."
Suddenly the sharp, shrill shriek of Stephen's pager filled the room. Carol grimaced as each ring pierced through her ears, sending shooting pains through her head. He grabbed it and silenced the alarm immediately, scanning the small screen.
"I have to go, I'll be back as soon as I can, okay? I think they might have the vaccine ready. Hang in there."
"Mmm."
"Keep her talking Ollie, it shouldn't be much longer."
"Okay."
Oliver turned to face his mom again, putting his arms around her neck and hugging her close. Carol weakly lifted a hand to rub his back.
"It's gonna be okay mom. He's gonna get the vaccine."
"I love you" she whispered.
"Love you too. Let's play a game until he gets back."
"Like what?"
"Like… umm….. we're sure in a pickle still, aren't we?"
Carol smiled. "Dill."
"Kosher."
"Gherkin."
"Bread and Butter."
"Mmm…"
"Starts with 'g'."
"Ummm garlic."
"Yes! Spicy."
"Sandwich."
"Sweet."
"Um…"
A knock on the door silenced the game.
"It's Stephen, Ollie, can I come in?"
"Yeah."
The familiar doctor entered with a small team of fellow scientists, all sporting pristine white coats and one carrying a large syringe. Oliver's eyes widened when he caught sight of the needle, tightening his grip on his mother.
"What is that?" he asked, his voice quivering.
"It's alright Ollie. It's the vaccine. I need you to go sit over there," he motioned to the far corner of the room, "while I talk to your mom for a minute. You can come back before we give her the needle, okay?"
Ollie nodded, thought still unsure, and slowly moved to the designated corner, keeping his eyes locked on the group.
Stephen knelt down next to Carol. "Carol look at me, I need to talk to you."
She blinked, bleary eyed, and squinted at him.
"Carol we have to vaccine ready, but you need to know the risks involved. You are the only infected person who has breached this quarantine, and we can't risk bringing in someone who has changed until we know the vaccine will work; it's too dangerous. We've tested the vaccine with biological samples, but can't be sure exactly what will happen when we introduce it to the human body. We don't have any reason to believe that something will go wrong, but there is always that chance. We've also had to estimate the amount of the vaccine needed to eradicate the virus from an entire being, so it may not be enough. This is your choice Carol."
"Ollie. Take care of Ollie."
"I will Carol, I promise. We're going to hope to God that I don't have to, but I promise you that if something happens, I will make sure he is safe and well taken care of. He'll be fine. You have my word on that."
"Do it."
"Are you sure? Once it's been done, we can't reverse it."
"Do it."
"Okay." He turned and took the syringe from the man behind him. "Come here Ollie, we're ready."
The child ran over, sliding in next to his mom and holding her right hand while Stephen took her left arm.
"You're going to feel a pinch for a minute Carol, and then it'll all be over and you can sleep."
Her jaw clenched as he slid the needle in and pushed the plunger. When the solution was gone, he pressed a band aid to her arm and handed her a small blanket one of the scientists had brought.
"Okay Carol, you can sleep now. We'll be back to check on you in a little while. Ollie, if you see any of that sticky residue starting to show up on her face, you go out in the hall and tell someone immediately, understand?"
The boy nodded, panic in his eyes.
"Good. I think she'll be fine, but keep an eye on her just in case."
Oliver warily watched the group exit before turning his attention to Carol. She was already laying down, fast asleep, so he took the small blanket and draped it over her. Lowering himself to the ground, he watched his mother intently, and vowed not to rest until she woke up, safe and sound.
TBC
