Greetings to my awesome readers! My oh my... Kinda been abit of a wait hey?...
I'm sorry guys. But I'm a senior now and school is hectic.
This is probably gonna be happening alot. The wait between chapters will take a while but I'm gonna try my best to not make ya'll wait TOO long. Please understand though. I just need ya'll to be patient for me, yeah?
You guys know that I love writing so even though updates will take a while, I'll be sure to make it worth the wait :)
Ausllyforever14; As the story goes, you'll get the answers :P Here's your update
Ash; Nice imagination you got goin on :D Lol. Will I continue writing even though A&A is over?... Fuck yes I will continue. I love these characters wayyy too much :P
Guest61865; Here ya go bud! :D
AliMus1c; Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong :P We'll find out as the story goes on. Gah! I miss A&A too!
Oh and to the guest that found the similarities of this story regarding Gator Boys, you're awesome :D Was it the 'Right here' reference that gave it away? :P I love Jimmy Riffle XD
Alright, you guys can read on now...
Recap: R.D-J
-After internally arguing with her conscience, Allyson decides that putting up with Austin (if he decides to go, that is) would be worth it if a discovery of a whole new world is possible.
If he does in fact join her, she is intent on remaining professional about the entire situation and putting whatever issues that they have with eachother aside.
-While out on a nuisance gator pickup with Austin and Levi, Nat, who is now aware of the possible island, attempts to convince Austin (upon Dezmond's request) to embark on this adventure with Ally.
Austin doesn't say yes to going, but he doesn't exactly say no either. Conversation during the car ride back to GenRex is pretty light until Nat asks a question which results in Austin to tense up.
"What happened with the two of you anyway?"
The question caused Austin to grip the steering wheel tighter and he pressed harder on the accelerator.
"Whoa now," Nat said as he watched the needle drift to 55 but he released a breath when Austin slowed down a few seconds after.
The blonde's face was now hard and his jaw was clenched tightly, probably rivalling a gators bite force. It was so different from the friendly expression Nat was accustomed to and it made him stay quiet after letting out, "Sorry I asked."
The edges of Austin's scar began to burn.
"Just don't ask again."
After seeing how Austin reacts, Nat had absolutely no intent of asking that question again.
He had been working with the blonde for a few years now and even though he knew, as did everybody else, that Austin and Ally don't see eye to eye, he had never straight out asked what the deal was.
He had never asked up until three days ago, that is.
It was quite unsettling to Nat. Seeing Austin's face after he had asked him what happened with him and Ally. A hard mask was pulled into place, his eyes flashed with various emotions that Nat couldn't properly decipher and he looked like a completely different person.
Sure, Nat has seen the change in his features whenever Ally is around or whenever he has to interact with her but he has never seen him look quite like that.
Once they had reached GenRex and hopped out of the truck, Nat briefly wondered if Ally would have the same reaction.
Frankly though after seeing Austin's reaction, he didn't really want to find out even though he was curious about the both of them and their tense/awkward relationship. (If you could call it that)
Anyway, after the two of them had placed the new gator into an enclosure, Austin muttered out something about feeding Levi which left Nat to alert the lab that the new alligator would have to be injected with the serum.
Like mentioned earlier, that was three days ago and even though Austin was back to normal the day after, Nat did his best not to mention Ally in any way at all.
Austin still hadn't given a clear answer on whether he will or will not be going on the expedition and as of right now, Dez is ready to burst.
"As your boss, I order you to accompany Ally on this expedition!" The redhead yelled and Austin gave him a bored look.
The two were in the new alligator's enclosure checking her vitals and Dez had decided to hound Austin about the island again.
"Really, Dez? Just a few days ago you said that you wouldn't force me if I really didn't wanna go."
Dez's shoulders fell and he pouted.
Literally pouted.
Austin rolled his eyes at his boss and shook his head. "I'm still thinkin' it over, alright? I haven't said no."
Dez sighed and swung his stethoscope around in his hand, making his way out of the enclosure with Austin trailing behind.
The alligator is doing quite fine. She had been injected with the serum by Ally and the mentioned brunette was extremely pleased that it (the serum) was working well for the gators.
"Well you really need to give me an answer soon. There are arrangements that I need to make."
Austin groaned. "Yeah, yeah, alright."
After seeing Dez out of the new gators enclosure, Austin hung back and perched himself onto a rock while watching said new gator as she ambled about her new home.
As he had been watching her, various thoughts ran through his mind.
Almost all of them dealing with what could happen if he did in fact decide to go with Ally.
The other handlers may need his help if something happens.
One of the gators could go out of control and he wouldn't be there.
Jaws might disappear again or worse; he could escape from his enclosure, given his hulking size and unpredictable nature.
Ally's serum might stop working and the rage stage could run amok all that much quicker.
Austin had shaken his head at the last thought.
That woman is incredibly smart. No denying it, no matter how much he despises her and how he always tells Dez that he has too much faith in her. There's an extremely miniscule chance of any of her work failing.
And if any of her work did fail, she'd just come up with a solution in less than five seconds.
The gators are in good hands. The rest of the handlers are completely capable.
So really, there isn't anything stopping Austin from joining Ally on this expedition.
Austin scoffed.
I'm really considering this?
He shook his head, running his hands through his hair before getting off the rock and heading out of the enclosure.
He began walking towards his black Harley Davidson when he noticed Nat sprinting down the dirt path.
He almost barrelled into Austin but caught himself just in time, all the while breathing heavily and pointing behind him frantically.
"You gotta-Lab-Dez-Go," He huffed out and Austin raised his eyebrows but didn't question him.
Hopping onto his bike, he kicked it to a start and zoomed up the dirt path, heading to the main building of GenRex where he swerved to a stop and raced inside, pass the front desk and up to the lab.
"Dez?" Austin called out as soon as he entered.
Dez, who was running up and down the width of the lab grabbing various beakers and items, only spared the blond a glance before muffling through a pair of tongs in his mouth.
"Follow me."
Austin did so and found himself on the next floor of the building.
He didn't come into this room that much seeing as how he only interacted with Dez on a daily basis and the mentioned red-head usually did all his work in the lab one floor down.
This lab is significantly larger than the one downstairs but understandably so since it has to accommodate all the people in it.
Austin took in the place as he trailed after Dez. There were probably about twenty to thirty people in it and they were all decked out in their lab coats, some with safety goggles perched on their heads.
The white fluorescent lighting that was even more striking when it caught the shine of all the tubes, beakers, various fluids and slides had Austin squinting as he came to a stop next to Dez who had led him to a steel desk where he placed all the items that he had in his hand and mouth.
An 800ml beaker was also placed on the desk and its contents were currently empty. Next to it, was a syringe, also empty.
Austin glanced at some of the other objects on the desk before looking at Dez who was constantly looking over his shoulder. Just as Austin was about to ask what the heck was going on, Dez yelled.
"Where is she? Where is Ally?!"
Austin internally groaned but held his annoyance at bay since whatever is happening right now is important.
A few employees who were bustling about the lab almost as frantically as Dez while mumbling and calling out for assistance turned towards their boss and gave a quick shrug of the shoulders or a 'No idea' before resuming the franticness.
"What in the hell is goin' on, Dez?" Austin finally asked after Dez again looked over his shoulder for the short brunette woman.
As if just remembering that Austin is there, Dez snapped his head towards the gator handler and shook his head, exhaling heavily.
"We found something. Something that might help us understand what this virus actually is."
Austin's eyes widened. "Wha-You're serious?"
Dez nodded. "Uh huh. You know how it attacks the brain and whenever we try to locate it, it sort of just disappears but it's still somehow there?"
At Austin's nod, Dez went on to say, "Well this time we actually did find something but we aren't sure if it's the actual virus. Definitely something though. Now would someone PLEASE find Ally!"
"You are supposed to come to me!"
Austin looked up at the sound of her voice and through the other employees, saw her up on a platform in front of a steel door, glaring daggers at Dez.
Her cheeks were currently flushed. Probably from excitement or anger, Austin didn't know which.
"Aw hell," Austin mumbled in annoyance and noticed her flick her gaze to him for a nanosecond before looking back at their boss.
He didn't miss the clench of her jaw at seeing him.
After avoiding her for around a week now, her sudden appearance caught Austin off guard and without even intending to, he quickly scanned her up and down, his gaze lingering abit too long on the yellow blouse that was adorning her upper body underneath her crisp and ever-clean lab coat.
Her pink, pouty lips were pursed and her hair rolled down her shoulders like waves of melted chocolate.
"Crap," He heard Dez mutter, pulling him out of his little staring session of the brunette. The red-head now sported a sheepish look on his freckled face and he began picking up the items on the desk, gesturing for Austin to grab some stuff too.
From her position up on the platform, Ally rolled her eyes at her boss's antics and bit back a groan from taking in the sight of Austin.
His scar looked alot more faded than it actually is, given the brightness of the room and as if they had a mind of their own, her hazel eyes zoned in on his strong jaw that flexed in exasperation when Dez shoved something into his arms unceremoniously, causing him to slightly stumble before following their boss towards her.
Once they were a few steps away from her, Ally spun on her heel and yanked the steel door open before ushering the two men inside and then following in aswell, closing the door behind them.
The room that they entered was reserved for minor tests and unlike outside, it was relatively dim in here, given that the only light source came from four old bulbs dangling from the ceiling and a lone window that needed some serious cleaning.
"You never did get around to fixin' this place up, did you?" Austin grumbled as he tripped over an empty box that was left on the floor.
Despite the question being rhetorical, Dez still answered him with a little bit of defensiveness in his tone. "It isn't that bad. Besides, I doubt that I ever will fix it up. I like it like this."
Dragging a desk from the corner of the room, Ally huffed out, "Like what? All old and dusty?"
"As a matter of fact, yes," Dez answered without a beat and Austin shook his head.
"How bout we just get on with whatever this is?"
"How's about you have some patience?" Ally snapped at him, earning herself a glare in return.
"I don't wanna hear this from the two of you right now," Dez warned.
"She started it," Austin muttered and Ally narrowed her eyes at him.
"This is why I suggested you bring Nat in instead," She said, turning to Dez who just sighed.
Austin huffed out a breath. "Oh you'd love that wouldn't you?"
Snapping her head to Austin, Ally growled, "Oh I really would! He'd be far easier to work with anyway!"
Austin tilted his head and gave her a look of mock sympathy. "Aww I'm sorry, Ally Marie. Am I makin' things difficult for you? Cause I'd be completely fine with fetching Nat to replace me in here."
Dez, who was standing next to the desk with his arms folded and with an exasperated look on his face, cut Ally off from whatever she was about to yell. "You're not going anywhere. Besides, Nat is busy with the alligators."
Austin spoke through gritted teeth and threw the brunette's words back at her. "All the better. The gators are far easier to work with anyway."
"Bite me," Ally hissed and Austin felt his scar begin to burn.
"If you keep pumping that little mouth of yours, I just might," Austin growled and Ally took a step towards him, her eyes flashing with anger.
"Threaten me again and I'll rip your fucking hair clean off your skull."
"ENOUGH!" Dez yelled and walked over to the two, pushing them away from eachother.
"We have work to do! If the two of you keep this up, I'll do way worse than biting and ripping hair off of skulls!"
The two employees glared at eachother one last time before exhaling heavily and stepping back further.
Dez shook his head again and moved away, muttering 'Unbelievable' under his breath before turning his attention to the items in front of him that he had set on the desk Ally brought over.
"Alright, let's set this stuff up. Austin, hand me that beaker.
As he did what Dez asked, Austin eyed the rest of the items and equipment that they brought in.
"All of this is needed?" He asked and Dez looked confused for a second before waving a dismissive hand.
"No, no. I just needed to get all of this in here. Was taking up space. This experiment that we're about to conduct is actually really simple."
Austin stared at his boss and shook his head. "Alright then."
Ally, who had her back turned to the two, faced them which allowed Austin to see her with another beaker in her hand. It was halfway filled with what looked like blood and she was stirring it with a small steel tube.
"Ally, I need you start that boiler up," Dez said while he was filling up a syringe with the serum that Ally created.
"Uh huh, okay," Ally said and quickly glanced at Austin before striding towards him.
He raised a brow at her and she held out the beaker to him. He took it, still staring at her and with utmost order and professionalism, she said, "Keep stirring it. Don't let it thicken."
Austin obliged and she spun around to get the boiler going, her hair whipping across his face.
He's 99.9% sure that she did it on purpose to get under his skin.
It worked.
The blond resisted the urge to cuss at her and just simply kept stirring, all the while trying to ignore the smell of her fruity shampoo that had shot up his nostrils.
Once the boiler was set up, Dez placed a beaker atop it.
"What is that?" Austin asked, referring to the white looking liquid that was in the beaker.
"Coconut water. The consistency is pretty similar to cerebrospinal fluid."
"That's the stuff found in the brain and spine, right?" Austin inquired and Dez nodded in acknowledgment.
"Correct."
Ally took the syringe filled with the serum from Dez and squirted it carefully into a test tube before glancing at the coconut water.
"Okay, all set," She said and Dez took a deep breath.
"Alright, just to go over what we're hoping for; we're gonna transfer the serum into the alligator blood where we found a trace of something," He gestured to the beaker of blood that Austin was still steadily stirring.
"We wait for a few seconds before transferring that into the coconut water. If we get a reaction, it means that we are most definitely onto something," He ended with a look of hopefulness and Ally nodded.
"Right then. Let's get to it."
Austin wordlessly handed the beaker to Ally and she transferred the serum into it, giving it a few gentle back and forth shakes while Dez looked on anxiously, clutching his notebook that he brought in with him.
After a few moments, Ally took a deep breath and poured the blood into the coconut water.
Dez adjusted the temperature and stepped back, Ally doing the same.
"How long till a reaction?" Austin asked, his eyes set on the mixture.
From the corner of his eye he saw Dez shrug lightly. "Not very long. Couple minutes."
However, after only ten seconds of the blood being poured in, the mixture began to bubble lightly.
Ally raised her eyebrows and Austin stepped closer to get a better look.
"More like couple seconds," He murmured and Dez just about fainted with happiness.
His happiness was soon turned to dread though, when the mixture began to bubble more violently, occasionally spitting out spurts of the mixture.
"Uh oh," Ally choked out and Austin stepped back.
"Hit the deck!" Dez yelled just as the beaker overflowed with the mixture and exploded with a bang!
Glass shattered in all directions as the beaker was destroyed, the pieces barely missing the three as they dove for the floor, shielding themselves from the hot mixture and flying glass.
Dez was curled up on the floor with his hands over his head and his eyes screwed shut tightly.
Ally was on her back, her head turned to the side and only after the shock wore off did she come to the realisation of a weight on top of her.
It was Austin.
Seemingly also coming to the realisation the same time as her, Austin lifted himself onto his elbows, coming face to face with Ally beneath him, their bodies pressed together.
With a grunt and as if he had gotten burned, Austin scrambled off the brunette and shot up from the floor, dusting himself off. The two didn't look eachother in the eye or say anything as Austin held a hand out to her.
His jaw flexed when her small hand curled into his and he helped her up.
They both let go immediately and Ally dusted herself off aswell, trying and failing to get her heart to stop racing.
Not paying attention towards the exchange between the two, Dez got up from the floor, not even bothering to right his clothes and mussed up hair. Rather; he stared at the now destroyed station that they set up with his mouth slightly hanging open.
"Oh yeah. We're definitely onto something."
Thats a wrap.
Stuff will pick up speed as the story progresses, okay? I know it's a lil slow now.
Btw, I kinda used a little idea from the TV series 'Zoo' for one of the scenes. It sort of just fit..
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Alright so that's pretty much it. Hope the chapter was okay.
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PEACE.