A/N: I'm really sorry this took so long, my mind has filled itself with seven other story ideas: two different pokemon fanfics, something for fire emblem: the sacred stones, plans on a story to continue on from my Portal fic, an original story, and most recently, something for FF7. So, my apologies to everyone.
Tears Ch 4
"You're WHAT!?" Exclaimed Bill. After getting dressed, Zoey and Maia joined the others in the cockpit to tell of the amazing news. Bill, unfortunately did not give the reaction Zoey was hoping for.
"We are getting married!" Zoey said proudly giving Maia a quick kiss to her cheek.
"But, you only just met her." Bill said dumbfounded.
"So?" Zoey asked, she was starting to become annoyed with the old man.
"Shit, I spent three years dating before me and my first wife were married!" Bill shrugged, "This all seems so, sudden."
"And what of it!" Zoey was now getting angry, it was bad enough the first words she heard after telling them the news were of Bill's apparent disapproval, but now he was telling her something that shouldn't even concern her! "What makes your desire to wait so much better then our desire not to!? And of course its fucking sudden! Did you miss the part where we entered the apocalypse?! Who knows how much time any of us has left. I can't take that chance! Nor would I even if things were different! I know what I want old man and if you have a problem with it then you can go piss off because the first thing Maia and I are doing when we get to that safe zone.." She paused a moment to give her next part some more emphasis, "if it's even there… is get married!" Zoey was red in the face with rage and Maia gave her a squeeze in an attempt to calm her down.
Bill sighed, he knew she was right, the world had gone to hell and time was one of the luxuries that went with it. "Zoey…I'm sorry." He said with remorse in his tone, causing Zoey's anger to dissipate quickly. "What I did with my life has no barring on how you live your's, not to mention it was a different time back then, people were always unsure of what they wanted so it took a long time for things to get done. I'm happy for you kid, you know I am. I was just over worrying like us old coots tend to do. If it means anything, you've got my blessings."
Zoey's face returned to it's usual cheery self as a big grin took it's place where the angered frown once lived, "Thank…really." She looked over to see that the other three men had huddled as far away as they could for fear of catching the wrath of Zoey. "Well?" She asked with a smirk, "Is anyone else going to congratulate us?"
The three men exchanged worried glances quickly before all sputtering together a mess of incoherent chatter Zoey could only be sure was their congratulations and blessings all thrown in together. She laughed a bit before reaching for a beer, as she didn't have a bottle opener, Maia was more then willing to aid her.
Suddenly, the C-130's communications array picked up and transmitted a message through the radio, "Message to the unknown C-130, this is military personnel, what is your current status? Over."
Mike quickly grabbed the radio, fumbling with it for a moment before responding, "This is Mike, I've got five other survivors with me." He paused and looked to Zoey and Maia, unsure how to explain Maia's condition. Zoey moved forward to take the radio from Mike as another message was being transmitted, "Copy that C-130 you say you have five uninfected survivors with you?"
"Um, actually…" Zoey began, the military agent cutting her off, "Who's this?" He asked.
"Oh uh, I'm Zoey, um," she found herself struggling with her thoughts, "About the five other survivors…"
"Yes go ahead." The man urged her, taking note of the panic in her voice.
"Well, five of us are immune but…"
"Say again C-130, one of you is infected!?"
"Erm, well, kind of." She said biting her lip
"Copy that C-130 we will have troops ready to escort you out and deal with the infected."
"NO!" Zoey cried out.
"Say again C-130 Last message not received over."
"She- she isn't a danger to anyone, she's not hostile I repeat she is not dangerous!"
"C-130 we cannot take the risk be advised we have troops on standby and you are cleared to land over and out."
Zoey dropped the radio, her eyes filling with tears. "Wha- what are we going to do?! They're gona shoot her!" With that she sat down with her arms around her knees and began to sob not unlike the witch she so earlier saved. Maia moves to embrace and kiss Zoey's cheek in yet another attempt to calm her down.
Louis shot up and shouted, "Aw hell no they ain't pulling this shit with you Zoey. She's not a monster and we will prove it to them, don't you worry girl.
Francis scoffed, "This is why I HATE the military. Come on Zo we don't have to take that shit from them. You'll see, they aint gona take your girl!
Bill stood as well, "I may have served my country, but I'll be damned if I'm gona let them treat you like an animal!" He said to Maia. Zoey lifted her head as the plane touched down and came to a stop.
Taking Maia into her arms she whispered to only her, "No matter what happens, don't let go of me. If they want to shoot you, they will just have to shoot me too." Maia nodded and hugged her tighter, a single tear dropped and touched another tear that Zoey had simultaneously shed and joined together in its decent. "Zoey." She whispered softly back to confirm what Zoey had said. Slowly, the plane's cargo ramp descended and several guns clicked ready for dispersing rounds.
Bill was the first to leave the plane, his M-16 tightly held close to his chest, followed by Francis. Louis came out next with his hands up, "Alright everybody, just calm down, we're not infected, and Maia's no monster."
Zoey and Maia made their trip down the ramp as slow as they could, as they saw the guns pointed at them they could only hug tighter together. Louis, Bill, and Francis backed up to give the girls cover.
Noticing the witch, a Sergeant called out to them, "Step away from the witch, I repeat, step away from the witch!" The only effect this had was to cause the three to move closer to the girls.
Noting the insubordination, the sergeant readied the order, "Men, prepare to open fire."
Zoey and Maia looked back to each other, their eyes lined with tears, they kissed what they feared would be their last.
"Stand down Sergeant!" A voice barked from the crowd.
"B-but Lieutenant!"
"I SAID STAND DOWN SERGEANT!" he screamed.
"Sir, yes sir! Stand down men." he ordered weakly.
As one, the sound of every weapon could be heard being returned to a less ready position.
The Lieutenant stepped up next to the Sergeant and asked, "Son, you wanna tell me just what the hell you think you're doing? How can you not see the fear in those eyes? When have you EVER seen fear in an infected's eyes? Why don't you tell me that son."
The sergeant's face flushed with embarrassment, and his voice with shame, "Never Sir."
"Exactly." The Lieutenant smiled.
AN: Yea, this was supposed to be the last chapter but…..well that's not the case now is it . Though, now I have to come up with names for these two military guys. As I said up top, I've got way too many ideas floating around in my head so I have no idea when I'll get this updated again. But I swear to you all this much. You will NOT stumble across this 2-3 years later with still nothing updated. I refuse to do that to you all.
