Author's Note!!
I work in a deli and I ended up cutting off the tip of my thumb today, which REALLY REALLY cuts back the speed with which I can type, damn it all…
I'm so sorry it's taken me so long to update! I will try to make the next chapter up faster.
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Jan had never liked scientists.
More than simply disliking them, she didn't trust them as far as she could throw them, and it was because of this she travelled to the lab every few days to watch over Parker as he underwent tests. More often than not it was just blood tests, but they sometimes tested his reflexes or agility, or tested his inhibitions caused by the extensive injuries he had received.
Jan made sure they didn't treat him too much like a dog, reminding them gently that he was just like them; only sick.
Most of the scientists were humbled by this, but some gave her cruel smiles and choruses of "Oh, of course."
Parker hated the blood tests the most, his aversion to needles rivaled only by his aversion to being naked. Or bathing; it was hard to really tell which it was since they went hand in hand.
Today more blood was to be taken, and they were looking to test his speech and reading capabilities; Jan always felt so bad for the boy during these tests…
After having his blood taken he was tired, and attempting to understand their words or speak them upon instruction taxed him to his breaking point.
There was a very good reason why the scientists were immune.
When the one helping Parker with flash cards let out a loud yelp, Jan grimaced.
"Still haven't broken him of his bad habit?" The dry voice of the head scientist, Jeffries spoke from behind her, her face split into a reassuring smile as she turned to face him. "I thought you were trying to get him to stop biting."
"I'm trying; it's hard on your own." Jan replied, Jeffries offering her a terse smile.
"I understand completely. Isn't your partner also-" he stopped speaking upon seeing the look that crossed her face, his expression and tone softening. "Ah. Are you sure you wouldn't rather stay here?"
"Parker hates being here; he associates this place with pain and frustration," Jan replied, looking at the Hunter through the window that separated them. Parker was on top of a table now, playing a game of 'you can't catch me' with two orderlies. As Jan watched, he launched himself easily across the room, crashing with a yelp into some chairs stacked in the corner. "I'm sorry you didn't get a lot of progress done today."
"It's fine, can we count on your continued efforts? He seems to respond well to you." Jeffries smile turned more genuine.
"I think the fact that I treat him like a human being helps," Jan smiled politely. "So yes, you can count on me; the last thing I want is for him to end up spending the rest of his life under a magnifying glass being poked and prodded so you people can see how he ticks."
"We would have been perfectly happy with any Hunter, but this one doesn't attempt to kill us every time we turn our backs," Jeffries replied, Jan offering him an apologetic shrug. "And the deceased ones decay far too quickly for us to examine, not to mention their bodies are hot with the infection."
"What about the blood you keep taking from Parker?" Jan asked, frowning. "He's infected too."
Jeffries paused, a slight smile touching his lips.
"There's something very different about Parker, all of the blood samples we've taken have been clean." When Jan stared at him blankly, he continued. "They're free from the virus; it's led us to the conclusion that he may no longer be contagious. We've been combining his blood with the samples taken from all the other non-immunes and immunes alike on the base, but no contamination has been occurring."
"But he's not cured," she breathed, Jeffries slowly shook his head.
"No, he's not; but with any luck, he won't get any worse."
"I suppose that's something to look forward to." Jan sighed very gently, watching as the orderly bribed Parker from the corner with cookies. She was silent for some time, aware of Jeffries watching her; she then cleared her throat and reached into her pocket. "I wasn't going to show you this, or anyone else for that matter, but something tells me Parker wouldn't approve of that. I have a feeling he would have wanted me to make it known."
Jeffries took the card she held out to him with a thoughtful noise, eyes widening.
"The survivors who came right before you… this girl was with them; where did you get this?" He asked softly.
"Parker had it in his pocket, I don't think he even knew he had it," Jan continued to watch the young infected in the other room who was now actually sitting down and looking at flash cards.
"You've grown very attached to him, I see." Jeffries didn't look back at her, and a guilty feeling gnawed at Jan's stomach. "I thought that might happen; there are many here who have, too."
"That kid possesses a type of magic. Something… magnetic." Jan's voice was soft. "And even if he's cleared to join the rest of the survivors in the town, and he's reunited with the girl on the card; it doesn't mean I'll lose him. I don't think he'd give up on me now. Not like Steve."
"Your husband might come to his senses when he realizes how much he needs you, how much he owes you." Jeffries turned to leave, Jan's voice making him pause.
"What exactly does he owe me?"
"I got the results of his blood test back…" Jeffries tapped his fingers on the door frame and let out a gentle sigh. "Your husband isn't immune."
When he finally left Jan standing there in silence and staring at her own reflection in the window of the room Parker was in, she took a few minutes to recover from the information that had just been handed to her. It slowly began to dawn on her just what Jeffries had meant.
He would never have made it this far if it hadn't been for her help. He never would have escaped alive and untainted.
She had to go and find him.
…
When they returned to the tent, the new female was rather quiet and withdrawn, making him wonder if he had perhaps done something to upset her. She didn't make eye contact or attempt to speak to him for some time; he finally got lonely enough to tug on her sleeve to get her attention.
When she looked at him, she offered a gentle smile; he reached out and pressed a finger into the center of her chest, careful not to harm her with his claws.
"Aaaah…hnnn." He frowned, sticking his tongue out slightly as he mused over what he was attempting to say. The female stared at him, stifling a giggle behind one hand, her eyes wide. "Ssshhhh… shhhaaaanh."
It took her a moment to realize what he was attempting to do, eyes widening more and a gasp escaping her throat.
"Jan!" She cried, pointing to herself. "Jan!"
"Shhaaanh." He grinned eagerly at her, and then shuffled a little closer. He pointed to himself, Jan repeating the name she had given him and smiling in return. He shook his head ever so slightly, her head tilting to one side as she blinked in confusion. He turned his clawed finger to point to himself, still smiling. "Issshhmael."
"Ishmael." She murmured, another eager grin lighting up his face as he nodded. "Ishmael?"
"Issshhmael." He breathed a soft sigh, leaning in to embrace her shortly. She let out a soft laugh, and then pulled the picture card from her pocket, offering it to him.
As she handed it to him, she pointed to the name next to the picture.
Ishmael looked up at her eagerly, putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Zoey." She said clearly. "Zoey." Pointing to the picture as she repeated the name, she gestured for him to try it. Ishmael frowned and shook his head.
The name was too complicated just yet, but he would certainly practice it while she was sleeping. He had the feeling talking to himself while she was awake was a little too strange, especially for an infected.
Zoey… his female's name was Zoey!
