The Changing Face of Lester.

Here we meet Lester's wife. Continuation from 'Do you remember me?'

Lester has been bitten by a Future Predator.

(This scene just had to be written. )

;'(


Chapter 7

Connor and Matt ran over to the form laying on the floor. Matt with his gun in his gun in his hand poised to shoot. It groaned as it lay there.

"Lester?" Matt looked at Connor and then at Caroline.

"Well, don't just stand there help me up!" Lester shouted. Matt and Connor looked at Lester. He had more growths on his skin and he looked worse than the last time they had seen him. Even his nails had grown at an alarming rate.

"James?" Caroline whispered, her voice quivering uncertainly. "What's happening to you James?" Her soft voice barely registering to Matt and Connor.

Matt and Connor supported Lester and carried him back to the bed. Connor looked at his hands before settling him back onto the bed. They looked and felt different.

"Are you O.K. Lester?" Matt asked. "How did you get up there?"

"What?" Lester shouted grumpily. "Up where?"

Matt looked up at the ceiling and then back at Lester.

"Oh, for goodness sake have you lost your mind? How could I get up there?" Lester glared at Matt. The man was sounding ridiculous.

"Never mind, what's the last thing you remember?"

"I... I... I must have stood up to get out of bed... and then..." Lester paused, trying to think of an explanation. He couldn't remember what he was doing and why he was sprawled across the floor. "I don't remember." he muttered finally.

"James..." Caroline spoke softly. Lester turned to face his wife. He heard the worry in her voice and saw the concern in her eyes.

"Carol..." James realised why she was here. Matt must have let her stay. For a moment he just stared at his wife. She had always been there for him and she was here now. It was very rare for Lester to need medical help. But whenever he had needed her she was there. Despite everything she was still here for him. He suddenly felt very guilty. Lester felt a lump appear from nowhere in his throat.

Connor cleared his throat.

"Need a fresh blood sample." He pointed to the tray in Caroline's hands.

"I'm not letting you anywhere near me with a needle!" Lester raised his voice again.

"Relax James, I'll do it." Caroline gave the tray to Connor and picked up a syringe.

"Must you?" Lester whimpered.

Caroline nodded and smiled slowly. Lester softened.

"I'd rather you did it anyway. Don't let him anywhere near me with that thing." James gestured towards Connor.

He stared at the wall opposite as Caroline gently inserted the needle and withdrew blood.

"There all done." She whispered. Lester snapped his head back.

"That was quick." Lester watched as Caroline began to look him over.

She looked at his arms. He wondered what conclusions she had come to. He had seen the changing skin colour and that had scared him. They looked worse now, almost if they had little suction pads on his hands. His finger nails were growing too. Caroline took a deep breath not wanting to show any emotion in front of Lester.

"I'll be back later." With that she walked out.

"We'll see you later too." Matt gestured for Connor to Follow Caroline out.

"Matt can I have a word?" Lester's voice was barely audible. Matt stopped and turned around.

Connor understood this to mean that Lester wanted to talk to Matt alone. He shut the door gently behind him.

Matt walked back to Lester's bedside.

"How is she coping?"

"As well as she can, she been doing a lot of the analysis on your condition. Coming up with a lot of ideas. She's good at what she does Lester." Matt spoke truthfully as he could. How well she was coping emotionally he didn't know.

James looked at his hands and his arms, he was slowly changing and it didn't make him feel good.

"Matt... If ... If the worst happens..."

"Oh, you'll be fine, up and about in no time. Nothing's going to happen to you." Matt chastised.

"No, let me finish..." Lester gulped. The thought of what he was about to say not sitting too well with him.

"If the worst happens... I... and I turn into one of those ... CREATURES... I... want YOU to be the one to shoot me." Lester pleaded. "And please arrange for someone to look after Caroline for me." Matt slowly nodded. The implications of what Lester had said weighing heavily on his mind. He prayed to god he wouldn't have to do that. Lester's eyes filled and he looked away. He waited for a moment and when it became clear that Lester wanted to be alone, left.

Becker was at his workstation looking at his Security screens. These screens showed where everyone was, what they were doing, and if there were any intruders in the building. It was one of the security measures Becker had put into place after Danny had broken into the ARC on several occasions. He stared at the screen. Something did not make sense. He looked over to Jess who was as usual sitting in front of the ADD. He sauntered over. Jess could access the same screens from her screen.

"Jess..." Becker walked up behind her and leaned over.

"Hmm..," she looked up at him, as ever pleased to see him.

"Can you look at this for me?" He paused before tapped on her keyboard. When she nodded okay, he continued. Jess was possessive over the ADD and didn't like anyone else touching it. He called up the security screens. He pointed to each screen in turn and accounted for everyone in the building.

"But where's Abby?" He finished. Jess looked at the screens. She checked the car park. Abby's car was still there so she must still be in the building. She checked the screen for the menagerie, maybe Abby was in there. She creased her brow and pointed to a screen. This particular one was of "Manny the Mammoth's" holding pen.

"Who do these belong to?" She pointed to a pair of legs sticking out from the edge of the screen. Becker smiled he knew that Jess would find an answer.

They looked at each other and both gasped. "ABBY!"


Will Becker get to Abby in time?

Will they be able to find a cure for Lester or will Matt have to shoot him?