Title: They Have No Name
Summary: Something destructive and deadly is spreading across America, leaving infected people in it's wake with an urge to kill and destroy anyone they see. But can even this come between a Father and his child?
Notes: Thanks to Audrey for the title. Also thanks to Audrey and Leanne for all their help, and all the cool kids at ATC. You all rock.
Warnings: Horror and some violence. Also slash.
Pairings: Shawn/Hunter
A/N: The chapters I'm posting here are larger than what I submitted before elsewhere, just because I have a lot already written.
It was complicated.
That was what they always said if anyone asked about their situation. And it wasn't just a line, things for them were really complicated.
Friends and family were shocked when Shawn announced that he and Rebecca were splitting up. They'd always been so close. They still were. But there was something that broke them up, although neither spoke about it.
No one even knew how he bought Rebecca a new house not far from his, for her and the kids to live in.
When Hunter announced his split from his wife Stephanie, the rumour mill backstage, on the internet, everywhere seemed to go into overdrive. Although no one ever came right out and linked the two things in an obvious way, or at least not publicly, there was plenty of speculation over what might be happening. Steph and Hunter's split wasn't quite as amicable. She was hurt, angry and humiliated by it. But she knew the truth.
Knew that she'd been left for something she could never compete with. How could any woman compete with a man? And of course, with her rage, came that of her brother and father.
Surprisingly, neither man was sacked from the company. Shawn's contract was about out and he informed Vince that he wouldn't be making any more appearances for the company. If Vince had wanted to fight it he could have, but he let it go. His sight was fixed more on his soon to be former son-in-law.
Vince told him in no uncertain terms that he needed to be turning up for work still. Things were going to get nasty. Shawn convinced Hunter not to go to work, not this soon after as there was too much emotion. He said he'd handle Vince. Hunter hated it, but went along with it. And so every week Hunter no-showed events and Vince would bombarded Hunter's cell with calls, Shawn would answer each one. Somehow, Shawn still retained his hold over Vince. Shawn was strong willed and not in the slightest intimidated by Vince. Plus, Vince didn't even employee Shawn now, so he was a free agent. He couldn't try and make him do anything. Weeks past and Shawn stayed the negotiator between Vince and Hunter. Vince was also acting on his daughters behalf too.
They eventually arranged for Hunter to be released from his contract, barring him going elsewhere in the process. Stephanie was filing for divorce and Shawn helped lobby for visitation rights for him to see his daughters. Shawn was able to use his good knowledge of Vince's mind to ask him if he really wanted his grandchildren to be without their daddy.
Hunter was impressed. Shawn sorted out everything.
And that was how they got here.
Two unemployed 40 somethings, living together in Texas, in the former house Shawn shared with his wife. Hunter had asked why Rebecca hadn't stayed here instead and Shawn said he'd offered it to her, but because Shawn had it built for himself, she felt it was right that he lived in it. He'd insisted on buying her the house.
She picked it, he paid for it.
Somehow, despite what Hunter thought in their worst moments, this was working for them. They got everything they wanted. They were living together, had no financial problems, were able to see their kids.
Everything was perfect.
It was perfect.
*
Hunter always knew Shawn could sleep through anything, but this was ridiculous.
Someone was pounding on the front door, fists hitting the heavy wooden structure again and again and he still didn't stir. "Shawn wake up. Someone's at the door."
"Wha-" Shawn mumbled, tiredly.
"The door. Someone's at your door."
"Our door." He corrected.
"Yeah, now's the time to correct me on that!"
"So look out the window."
"It's dark."
"Turn on a light and look out the window."
"That won't help. Have you never looked outside in the dark before?"
"No. I'd be asleep if you weren't here."
"Okay, I'm going to answer the door."
"Great. Have fun." Shawn turned over away from the other man. So Shawn wasn't at his best when he didn't get enough sleep, Hunter didn't care, he still loved him.
He pulled on a pair of joggers and a t-shirt and made his way to the door. Things had been quiet for the last minute or so. Maybe the person out there had decided to annoy someone else instead.
Hunter opened the door and looked out to a deserted scene. If anyone was about, they weren't here now. The driveway to Shawn's house, their house, was as empty as you'd expect this time of night. With one final look around, Hunter closed the door, locking it back up again for the night.
He pulled the shirt off as he made his way back into the bedroom.
"There was no one there."
The only response he got was a tired moan.
*
The bed felt cold when he woke up. He didn't want to open his eyes even though he could see the bright light of the sun bathing the room in a glow. It wasn't summer so it wasn't hot, just bright. Reluctantly, Hunter opened his eyes.
As he did most mornings, the first thing he did was look across the bed to see Shawn. But he wasn't there.
Hunter sat up, listened as he heard the sound of the TV off in the distance. He didn't know why he panicked when Shawn wasn't beside him in the morning. Fully awake, he forced himself out of bed and tiredly made his way into the kitchen. After making himself a coffee, he went in with Shawn.
He was surprised to see Shawn glued to the TV, some breaking news rolling on the screen. Hunter knew Shawn would only be watching like this is something big was going down.
"What's happening?"
"Not sure. There's some weird 'incident' but every thing's a little sketchy."
Hunter went and sat next to Shawn, casually put his arm around him, and pulled him closer. A reporter was live from outside a hospital where the incident had taken place, but he was cut off, as they went back to the studio. The female host, looked a little surprised as it was clear she was given some sheets of paper. Whatever was happening was rocking the boat because the media was crumbling. If you looked carefully you could see the woman's mask slip for the briefest of seconds before she composed herself.
"We've had a report from the Christus Santa Rosa hospital where the incident has taken place. They are advising all residents within a 50 mile radius to stay indoors until the authorities say otherwise. Furthermore, they are advising everyone to keep doors and windows locked and not to open the door to anyone."
"What's going on?" Shawn asked, looking concerned.
"Is that near here?"
"It's right next to the park we took the kids to a few weeks back. Next to the market square."
"So we're just supposed to stay indoors all day?" Hunter asked surprised by this. They didn't even seem to be saying why, the most unsettling thing of all.
"I need to call Rebecca." Shawn said, going over to the phone. He picked it up and quickly punched in the number. "Busy." He said. He paused a minute before dialling again. "Is everyone on the phone?" He snapped.
"Who was that you called?"
"My parents."
"Maybe they're both trying to call you. Just leave it a minute."
"I'll text Rebecca and tell her to let me call her." Shawn immediately text her. He took a minute to finish it and then he hit send. A few seconds later a beep sounded on the phone. "Sending failed. What the hell's going on?"
"I'll try on my cell. Maybe it's the network." Hunter said. After he unsuccessfully tried as well, Shawn returned to calling.
He could see from the look on Shawn's face he was having no luck. A look of worry was spreading.
"What do you wanna do?" Hunter asked.
"I gotta know the kids are okay." Shawn said.
"Then we'll go and make sure things are okay."
"We're supposed to stay here."
"Well we'll just have to be quick. Come on."
