Chapter 10; Every Dog Has His Day:
Warning; Rated M for swearing, violence, eventual lemony things, and lots of icky germs. You have been warned…
Disclaimer: I do not own 'Osmosis Jones' or any of its characters, I am only using them to fulfill my own disillusioned dreams and fan-girl wishes. : P
Hurray! I made it to the 10th chapter mark! And look at how much this story has progressed, I mean, it was about three months ago when I first published this story, and now with 38 reviews, 8 favs, and 11 follows, I got to admit I never thought this story would be such a big hit! Thank all you delightful reviewers and readers who made this possible, you all are so wonderful!
This chapter is dedicated to my wonderful dog Scarlet, who has passed away a year ago after ten beautiful years spent together playing tag and chasing squirrels. I loved, and will always love you Scar, you were the greatest dog a girl like me could ever ask for. Love your dogs people (or cats, horses, snakes, mice, pygmy goats, etc.), cause they are the most unconditionally loving creatures on this planet.
~o0o~
It is just like man's vanity and impertinence to call an animal dumb because it is dumb to his dull perceptions ~ Mark Twain
"This isn't going to be easy, is it?"
"No baby" Replied Thrax as he continued to walk beside Ray, his yellow eyes hidden behind a pair of dark shades despite the time being well into the night "It's gonna be one rough ride"
"Great…" Rachel muttered as she fidgeted uncomfortably in the new, and itchy, pants suit she had to buy for this occasion. Taking in a deep breath, she stepped inside the lighted warehouse, Thrax closely following after her.
This was going to be their toughest case yet, and as nervous as she was on the inside, Ray was also strangely feeling rather calm about the whole thing. But then again, that's what usually happened to her when she whenever she was thrown to the proverbial wolves. Besides, she needed to do this, because if they survived this, then Zane would be safe and Frank's Finest would bring down the city's most powerful underground animal fighting ring. As to be expected, it was Andrew and the scumbag mayor that roped them all into this case, wanting to take down the largest illegal gambling operation as well as ruin a major source of income for most of the viral gangs within Frank. After hearing this latest scheme of the crazies though, Jones firmly declined, but then of course, had no choice but to agree when Andrew not only reminded him of just what the mayor had over them all, but flaunted their latest trump card, Zane.
Rachel sneered in the dim lamp light of the warehouse as she made her way closer to the end of the hall where tempo pounding music could be heard, showing off her fangs. She knew Andrew had sunken to so many lows after they had separated, but this was the lowest she had seen him stoop. Apparently, if Ray did not enter Zane in to the fights so that Jones and the others could bust the ring wide open when they made it to the final round, when all the big criminal names came into bet, then animal control would get a tip that a rabid rabies virus was being sheltered in Frank. The bastard. It was like he knew that she was trying to let go of her hate for him, and he was trying extra hard to make her hate him more.
Well, it worked.
Sighing in frustration one last time as she slowed down before the bolted doorway, Ray braced herself for what she was about to do. Time for phase one, get Zane into the fighting ring. Going through the door after providing their forged invitations to the guard, Rachel stepped inside the underground night club, putting on her best viral face as she and Thrax walked through the crowd of infections.
With their disguises, Ray and Thrax fit in perfectly in the viral mob. Thrax was once again dyed purple, but this time kept his claws at their naturally intimidating length, and was sporting a rather stylish black suit and tie. Disguised in her own fake claws, red eyes, fangs, and dread lock wig, Rachel topped off her costume with a simple black pants suit and a pair of almost dangerous looking heels. Apparently, though the two of them looked every bit like the viral crowd around them, Ray and Thrax seemed to be attracting a lot of attention as they walked through the crowd, especially from the opposite sexes. Thrax quickly lost track of how many warming glares he had to send out to the men who tried to get Ray's attention, or how many inebriated feminine arms he had to untangle himself from.
Thankfully though, the two of them found the man they were looking for in the lavishly decorated concrete room; reclining in a corner on a white couch and observing his small club's usual clientele, a yellow-green germ relaxed, surrounded by personal guards and acquaintances. Glancing at each other briefly, Thrax and Ray made their way over until they were standing in front of the germ Rachel immediately identified as measles.
"Are you the Ring Master?" Asked Ray, her voice calm and stature confidently composed. The measles virus's eyes flicked over her form for a minute before moving on to Thrax, who was standing protectively beside her. After a brief moment of studying the two of them, the measles smiled.
"What if I am honey?" Ray snapped her fingers, her command bringing Thrax closer to her. As much as she hated being forced into this mission, there was one redeeming feature about it. She was in the one in charge, when she told Thrax to jump; he was supposed to ask how high. And while she greatly enjoyed this perk, Ray was confused as to why she and Thrax had to be the ones to go undercover. Sure, she was needed when it came to handling Zane, and Thrax was the most experienced of them all when it came to handling the viral world, but why just them, why were Jones and Drix not allowed to interfere until it was time for arresting the germs, why…Ray shook out the questions that her insatiable curiosity rose up in her mind, forcing herself to focus on the task at hand.
"I am Miss Blue, this is my assistant, Mr. Reed" She replied as she accepted the camera that Thrax handed her "I am new to this body, and am looking to make a few extra bucks for a little…operation I'm planning. I want to enter my animal in your games" The Ring Master chuckled, his posse joining him in the mocking sound.
"The slots for contestants has been filled already honey, come back for next month's fight" Ray merely smirked as she walked closer, the small hand held camera replaying a clip she had recorded before she left. Turning the screen towards the Ring Master, the short virus watched, his mocking expression turning to one of interest. It was a tape of Zane, running around in hospital's gym, literally pouncing off walls, slicing through beams of wood with his six clawed paws, and showing off the powerful corrosiveness of his acidic saliva. Ray's smirk grew wider as she saw the portly Ring Master start to nod his head, obviously keen.
"Alright honey, you got my attention. Unfortunately, while I would love to see that animal in the ring, all the spots are filled for this fight, and I usually like to be a man of my word. But uh," The Ring Master tapped his short claws against his chin, looking over Ray with green eyes that made the cell want to sneer with disgust "maybe if you provided us with some entertainment, I might reconsider" The other germs beside the measles laughed, and Ray forced herself to keep down her dinner. She didn't have time to be sick, she needed to come up with something or else her Darling would be in danger of the mayor's wrath. Thinking fast, Rachel came up with an idea that was so crazy, it just might work.
"Fine by me. Who's your strongest man?" The question the blue female asked the laughing germs stumped them, but the Ring Master answered her with a snap of his fingers, summoning a nasty looking yellow flu virus. The seven foot barrel chested body guard came closer to Ray, grinning as he towered over her and Thrax.
"Nice, but mine's better. Reed" The purple dyed virus snapped to attention, bringing himself to stand in front of Rachel. Thrax could guess where this was going, and he had to applaud Ray's quick thinking, but as to why she thought this the best course, he couldn't say.
"Yes Miss Blue?" Thrax answered as respectfully as he could. Ray nearly blew their cover as she barely contained the snicker that wanted to escape at hearing Thrax call her that, but she somehow managed to control herself.
"Entertain the gentlemen and ladies" She said with a flourish of her hand.
"With pleasure Miss" Thrax replied as he removed his shades to size up the guard in front of him for a second. Without giving the taller virus any warning, Thrax punched him in the gut, forcing all air out of the unfortunate body guard. Side stepping away from the two viruses with the germ crowd that backed away a safe distance to watch, Ray went over to make herself comfortable on the couch the Ring Master was on, her high heels already killing her feet.
"Want to make this a little more interesting honey?" Asked the measles virus next to Ray, taking out a wad of cash from his coat pocket as he did so. Smirking as she saw Thrax get thrown across the room by the flu virus that surprisingly was giving the Red Death a run for his money, Ray decided to see if she could make some extra of her own.
"Five hundred that my man beats yours senseless in two minutes flat" The Ring Master laughed, obviously thinking she was throwing away her money, but accepted her terms with an amused nod. Ray knew better than that though, for as bizarre as it sounded, she trusted Thrax, more specifically, she trusted his skills as a sadistic killer.
Thrax on the other hand was having a much more difficult time finishing off the flu virus who he had at first thought an easy opponent. Throwing another punch to the flu's stomach before landing a skilled kick against the now very sore side of the taller virus, Thrax knew his victory was close. About to get ready to deliver what he thought was to be the final blow, he saw the flu take something metallic out of his pocket.
A knife. What a cheater.
Well, if that's the way he wanted to play…
Thrax flexed his left hand, claws twitching patiently as he waited for the virus to make his move. When a flash of yellow and metal suddenly came towards him, Thrax easily evaded the flu's stab at his gut, and struck. The flu didn't stand a chance as the much more powerful virus slashed at his face, chest, arms, and then finally, brought the now cut and bleeding guard down with a well-placed punch to the jaw. The seven foot virus stumbled backward, falling onto the crowd of cheering germs that had circled around, roaring louder as Thrax held up his bloodied claws in victory as the unconscious flu was dragged away.
"Well Ring Master, was that entertaining enough?" Asked Ray as she snatched the money she had won out of the measles' hand. Accepting his lose with grace and a smirk, the Ring Master nodded.
"Looks like I will be getting to see you animal in action tonight Miss Blue" Returning smirk for smirk, Ray stood up to leave with Thrax before the cheering crowd stroked his ego to unbearable degree.
Time for phase two.
o0o
Moments later found Thrax and Ray arriving at the hidden location for the underground animal fighting ring in the large van they had borrowed for the occasion. The building the Ring Master had directed them to was, big surprise, a warehouse by the docks in the stomach, its metallic sides covered in questionably green scum. This was where the first few rounds of the animal fights were going to take place, and if Zane made it to the finally round, then tomorrow it would be the place all the biggest viral names in Frank could be found to witness the finale.
"Do you really think this mutt has a chance of making it to the final round?" Questioned Thrax as he opened the back door for Zane to hop out, the rabies virus too excited by this new surrounding to bother paying any attention to the disguised red virus. Ray turned around to answer the Thrax, but stopped when she saw how exhilarated her Darling was, his spiked tail lashing about contentedly. A rare smile drew up on her lips.
Besides the yearly trip to Father Stiers, Zane never really got to explore Frank much anymore, being a 'rabid' animal and all. Back when it was just the two of them though, they used to wander the city of Frank for days on end, sleeping in back alleyways, diving into dumpsters, and fighting off anyone who tried to take advantage of them. After her parents were murdered, Ray refused to go live in an a home for way wards, choosing instead to live out on the street or with Father Stiers, and just one day, she came across Zane. It was not a remarkable meeting, both of them covered in grime and hungry, but back then, little Rachel had thought she had found her guardian, and since then, the two had been near inseparable. But when Father Stiers convinced her that she needed to go to school not only for her sake, but for her parents as well, and to do that she needed to find a 'home', Rachel made the toughest decision of her life, and left Zane behind at the church they had so often stayed in together. It was hard on them both, very hard, especially when Ray's attitude kept her from making friends for the longest time. It got somewhat easier when she found Andrew and Leah, and of course, when she finally let the two closest cell friends she ever had in on her little secret, it was probably the happiest time in her life. And even after Andrew left her and Leah went away to an expensive Ivy League college, Zane never ceased to make her feel loved and safe, very rare sensations for her these days.
"Think? I know he does" Answered Rachel finally as she, with a happily frolicking Zane beside her, walked towards the crowded warehouse doors, ready to give the viral crowd an entrance they shall not soon forget.
o0o
After making a remarkable arrival through the front entrance, Ray and Thrax dropped Zane off in the animal holding cages, where he would wait until it was his turn to fight. After whispering good luck to her Darling, Rachel went over to the section of the warehouse where the viewing decks where. When the viral gangs of Frank took over this building, they constructed a large pit in the middle of the main floor with small barred entrances on opposite ends inside it. It was from those latches that the animals would be forced though, and until only one of them was left breathing, the doors would not open back up.
Circling the crowd and mingling for appearance's sake, Ray tried her best to act calm and untroubled. But, needless to say, it was rather difficult not to think about what Zane was about to go through when the blood stained arena floor below was constantly within her sight. Gulping down the drink she had just grabbed, Ray stood near the waist high iron bar fence that separated the large lower arena from the viewing deck. Noticing her distress with his great skill of deduction, Thrax tried to distract the disguised doctor.
"So, Andrew knew about the rabid dog?" He asked as he leaned back against the barred fence, hissing a little in discomfort as he felt a sharp pain in his left side. Apparently, he hadn't avoided that one slash of the flu virus's knife as easily as he had thought, but Thrax shook of the pain as Ray let out a hallow chuckle.
"I was wondering when you were going to ask me that. Tell me Red, I mean Mr. Reed, is my personal life really that interesting to you?" Thrax smirked at her question, letting out his own chuckle as he combed back his long dreads. He considered answering her with the truth and was about to open his mouth to speak, when she beat him to the punch.
"Yeah, Andrew knew about Zane, and so did Leah. Of course, after he left me, I worried about whether he was going to tell anyone about him. But, the years passed by without any calls from animal control, so I figured that the brain cell was just being a gentleman about the whole thing. Serves me right for thinking that…" Rachel trialed off as she handed off her empty champagne glass to a passing caterer worker, wondering if there was actually anything of the old Andrew she knew left in the one she knew now. No, she decided very quickly.
"You know baby," Started Thrax as he turned over to lean further onto the fence, his pointed shoulders hunched forward "I could take care of all our problems with a visit to the brain cell's home. A quick slice of the throat in return for two antibody bracelet free wrists, whataya you say?" Rachel's eye brows twisted up in amusement as she too leaned forward against the fence, a smirk on her face.
"Was that your attempt of trying to get me to help you take revenge on the city of Frank?" Thrax shrugged his heavy shoulders with a nonchalant grin. He had asked this question purely out of jest, knowing that she wasn't the kind of person who would ever agree to such terms. But, still, he was curious as to what her assuredly entertaining answer would be.
"It was worth a shot, can't really blame a virus for trying" Ray shook her head in amusement. Oh, that crazy psychotic killer, what would he try next?
"Well, while your offer is very tempting, I'm gonna have to say no. Cause if anyone is going to be teaching Andrew the lesson he needs to be taught, it's gonna just going to be me…and a crowbar" Thrax chuckled along with Ray for a moment before he looked down at the arena beneath them. His smirk fell.
"Looks like the games are about to begin baby" Ray's eyes snapped down to where Thrax was looking, seeing that he was right. The caged doors beneath them had opened up, and prodded by germs protected with electrical prods, two campylobacteriosis were pushed out onto the arena.
"Ladies and gentlegerms, for your entertainment, your gracious host the Ring Master presents...survival of the deadliest!" Announced the familiar voice of the measles disease through a muffled microphone. As if on cue, the two serpentine creatures now trapped within the arena finally noticed each other, and like the mindless fighters they had been trained to be, went for each other with fangs drawn.
Instantly Ray felt the viral throng push up against the fence she and Thrax had been leaning against, the blood hungry fans cheering loudly as bets were being placed. Forced up against the unforgiving metal fence by the excited crowd, Rachel felt like all the air within her was being forced out as yet another germ jabbed her gut with his elbow trying to get a better view. About to see if she could pull herself out of the horde without any more damage to her personhood, Ray felt the crowd around her backing off. Glancing to her left, she could see Thrax, standing tall with a feral expression on his face glare out at the viruses behind them. Apparently, he wasn't a big fan of getting mobbed either, and had tamed the crowd with a well-practiced sneer and threatening flex of his claws.
But as terrifying as Thrax was to the throng of fans, the viruses and germs once more tried to get closer to view the fight, though this time kept a good distance from the intimidating disease and the woman beside him. Knowing that the fights would soon make the crowd forget their place, Thrax slid his way nearer to Ray, who was now too engrossed in the bloody fight below to notice his closeness. Standing protectively behind the undercover cell, Thrax quickly looked over her to see is she was hurt, and was relieved to see that she wasn't. It wouldn't do him any good if Andrew or Jones pulled out of their deals because an overly excited blood lusting crowd damaged the good doctor on his watch.
As one of the snake like campylobacteriosis finished off the other and the next pair of animals came in, Thrax continued to keep his close position near Ray, watching both her and the fights below. She was gripping the fence with white knuckles, obviously disturbed by what she was witnessing as the fights progressed; sometimes even turning away to avoid seeing the final blows. Her expression was new to Thrax; it was worried, concerned, caring, and, what was that word? Oh yes, compassionate. The virus smirked down at the woman who was only a couple inches away from him; she may pretend to be harsh and indifferent, when really she had a big heart that cared for many.
It was just so pathetically adorable…
"And now ladies and gentlegerms, a rare treat for you all today to finish off tonight's entertainment! Fighting for the first time in Frank, Zane, the rabies immunization! And his opponent for the day's last match, the ever popular Bruiser!" The crowd went wild with cheers and boos as a familiar black skinned, six legged beast was shoved into the arena, muscles tense with anticipation. Ray became visibly upset as she saw Zane notice the now stiff body of the last fight's loser being dragged out by a couple of hooks, disappearing under a side door to be disposed. Glancing around, Zane's sharp senses singled out Ray from the crowd, his red eyes locking with her own. She knew that she sent him into that arena to protect him from Andrew and animal control, and that he understood that she didn't want to put him through this, but still, in the end, he was in there, and she put him there. But just as he had done so many times before for her, Zane assured his mistress with soft growl that all would be well, causing a feeling of serenity to stir within Rachel.
"Give em' hell my Darling…" Thrax heard Ray whisper as she suddenly became eerily composed, the uneasiness that was so evident in her eyes before disappearing. Before he could wonder just what had such an effect on her though, the other cage inside the arena opened up, and out came Zane's opponent. The histoplasmosis, a fungal infection, strode out of the small door frame, its box like jaws dripping with froth as its unclipped talons scrapped against the concrete floor.
Zane started to circle his much larger adversary, Bruiser, sinking into a concentration so deep that the shouting of the crowd above him went unheard. All that existed was his opponent, all that he saw was the sharpened claws on the fungus's four paws, and the sharp teeth inside his deep green jaw. All he cared about was surviving this to be by his mistress's side once more…
With a flash of black and teeth, Zane made the first move, and launched himself at his challenger. Experienced in his own right, the green fungus easily avoided Zane's rookie attack, failing to see a spiked tail until it bashed into the side of his face. Not stopping to see what damage he had caused, Zane ran straight for the concrete wall ahead of him, using the momentum he gathered to launch himself into the air off it.
The fungal disease clawed at his bleeding face as he looked around for the one who made it so. Noticing a shadow descending upon him, Bruiser picked himself up on his powerful hind legs, and plucked the now disadvantaged Zane from the air with his forepaws.
Ray gritted her teeth as she saw Bruiser tackle Zane to the ground, pinning him with his much larger body. It took every single shred of will power she had to resist not calling out to her Darling as she saw the fungus sink his teeth into Zane's shoulder, causing the rabies virus to growl out in agony.
Damn Andrew, damn the mayor, and damn the people that cheered louder as Zane clawed out in desperate anguish.
With a blind paw though, Zane clawed an open eye of his opponent, sending the green fungus reeling back with a pained roar. Pushing himself back onto his six legs, red eyes flickered with animalistic ferocity as the rabies virus zeroed in on the distracted Bruiser.
Launching himself once more at his opponent, Zane managed to take the larger disease by surprise, giving him the opportunity to return injury for injury. Both Thrax and Rachel watched fixedly as the two beasts rolled, thrashed, bit, and clawed at each other as the crowd grew more and more frenzied at the sight. Like Thrax had foreseen, the mass of viruses forgot their place, and pushed him and Rachel against the fence, but for all that, Ray's eyes never left the arena. Thrax had to admit as he too watched the fight attentively, for a mutt that had never been in the ring, Zane knew how to handle himself. And as the rabies virus threw the larger fungal infection against a concrete wall, it was apparent that he knew how to handle others even better.
The crowd fell into to a hush as they all witnessed Bruiser fall to the floor in an exhausted slump, showing no sign that he was going to get up anytime soon. Just a few feet away, Zane stood tall, panting with exhaustion as he looked up from his unconscious opponent to meet Rachel's gaze.
"Ladies and gentlegerms, it appears that Zane has just K.O.'ed Bruiser! Let's hear it for the rabies virus who has just assured himself a place in the final round that will take place tomorrow!" Announced the Ring Master over the microphone. Ray didn't hear any of his speech though, or the cheering of Zane's name by the crowd. Her Darling was okay, he had done it.
"Good boy" She whispered as she watched Zane leave the arena through an open barred down, turning back one last time to glance at his smiling mistress. Letting out the breath she had just noticed she had been holding, Ray felt the crowd around her and Thrax disperse to collect their winnings. Thrax was just about to ask the doctor what was next for them, when she turned around with a small smile on her face. Her expression was beyond relief, it was serene, and for some reason the simple, yet wholesome expression made him forget what he was just about to say. Suddenly, Thrax became painfully aware of just how close the sapphire woman was to him. Or, was that actual pain?
"Um, Thrax? You're bleeding!" Exclaimed Ray as she saw the purple dyed virus grab at his side tenderly, a patch of red blood seeping through the black suit.
"Just a scratch baby" Muttered Thrax as he tried to make himself stand up straight, but failed utterly. It seemed the last time the crowd pushed him and Ray up against the fence had somehow made the small wound the flu virus had given him a lot worse, opening it up further than what it had been when he received it. Calming herself down from the adrenaline infused state the animal fights had worked her into, Ray came to a decision.
"Come on, let's go get that patched up" She said calmly as she grabbed Thrax's arm, giving him no choice but to follow her as she walked over to the nearest doorway.
o0o
It didn't take long for Rachel to find the room where the medical supplies were kept in that the Ring Master had been so courteous as to direct her too. Still pulling Thrax along behind her, Ray entered the brightly lit supply room. Immediately noticing a first aid kit resting on the top shelf on the other side of the room, Ray finally let go of the virus's sleeve as she rolled up hers.
"Alright Red, take off your jacket and shirt, and then sit on that table there" Ray commanded as she walked over to grab the first aid kit, gesturing to the table that stretched out in the middle of the spacious room.
"Oh, say that again baby, only slower" Thrax leered out in a teasing tone, but obeyed the doctor's orders none the less as he made his way over to the table. Ray rolled her eyes as she finally managed to bring the medicinal kit down. Why did the virus need to make everything more difficult than it needed to be? Oh well, it's not like she was doing this just for him. Sure, she would seal up his wound, but her real goal here was to find a first aid kit so when she finally got to visit Zane, which the Ring Master said wouldn't be allowed for a couple more minutes, she could treat his injuries. Making her way over to Thrax, Ray tried to keep her mind off of Zane and his for sure aching shoulder.
"Since taking you to a hospital is out of the question, I guess a doctor who deals with the dead is as good as it gets for you" She said as she finally reached the table, not really putting much thought into what she was saying. Thrax, who was already seated on the metallic counter, smirked as his jacket fell to the floor and he got to work on unbuttoning his shirt.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?" He let out a fake laugh that was cut off by a sting of pain, causing the virus to growl in discomfort. Looking down, he saw why. His wound was a lot worse than he thought, the entire left side of the white shirt was stained red with the blood that had seeped through, some of it already starting to dry in caked fragments.
"Damn it, there goes the return policy on this suit" He muttered as he continued to unbutton his shirt, easily ignoring the pain it brought.
Ray chuckled lightly at Thrax's quip as she finally turned from away from the first aid supplies she had spread out on the table space beside him in time to see the virus shed his shirt off. The bright light of the supply room reflected off his broad chest as defined muscles flexed in and out with Thrax's labored breathing as he leaned himself back on his hands. Completely against her better judgment, Ray allowed her eyes to drift over the exposed chest of the virus next to her, taking in all the scars that marred his skin. Thin, long, deep, and curved marks plagued much of his chest, arms, and even neck, a disturbing creation of sketch work on skin. Just as she was about to ask herself why she had never noticed this before, Ray found her answer. She never cared to notice.
To her, Thrax was just a means to reach the mayor's insane end, a virus she had unwillingly been forced to live with, a momentary distraction from the upside down world that was her life. She had barely ever reflected on the fact that his own life was a constant struggle, a war against not only other viruses, but every single cell and human, a war whose battles were mapped out in his skin. Ray then felt something creep up within in her, something precariously close to guilt, understanding and, and…
"Uh, doc? My eyes are up here" A low voice drawled out, derailing Ray's train of thought. Looking up, Rachel met the yellow eyes of Thrax, noticing the amusement he felt for having caught her staring glistening within them. With an annoyed scoff, Rachel focused on the wound at Thrax's side, grabbing a sterilization wipe to away the blood.
"Don't flatter yourself Red, it's not very charming" She muttered back, taking delight in hearing the virus hiss out once more in pain, this time at the sting of the alcohol wipe.
"Aw, and here I thought my high self-esteem was something all the ladies loved" Thrax replied as he watched the doctor focus on the surprisingly deep wound at his side, switching the now blood soaked wipe for another.
"And just what do you know about woman?" Ray asked him with quirked brows, suddenly noticing how amusing it was that Thrax's face was still dyed purple yet his chest blared red.
"Plenty baby," Replied the virus as the sapphire cell, now having completely cleaned the wound, grabbed a needle and spool of black thread "I am a legend amongst the females, or haven't you heard?"
"I'm not one for fairy tales or legends, I prefer reality" Ray muttered back as she concentrated on the gash, leaning in close to get a better view of the thin, deep red line. About to retort with 'Well, how would you like to make it with a legend baby?', to which Thrax was certain would get an amusing reaction from the doctor, the virus fell into silence as he concentrated on not growling out in discomfort as Ray started to stich up the wound. Pondering on the strangeness that when in a fight, a man usually never acknowledged the ache of his injuries, but when being patched up by delicate feminine fingers, winced like a child getting his first shot, Thrax didn't notice when Ray tied off the thread, and grab a roll of gauze.
"This will hold you over until we get done with this case, but until then, I don't recommend any heavy lifting or knife fights for a while" Ray said after a few moments, her voice reigning Thrax's attention back onto her. And was he ever so glad it did.
"Will do baby. But do you mind doing me a favor?" Thrax asked after silently enjoying a moment of this pleasurable situation.
"What kind of favor?" Ray inquired as she continued in her task, not bothering to look up to meet Thrax's gaze as it flickered with mischief.
"Run your hands slowly across my chest again? It felt so…good"
Ray froze. What the hell was the virus talking about now? Concentration now broken, Rachel looked away from her task to notice the position she had gotten herself into. In her focus of trying to patch up the virus, she had managed to shift her way in between Thrax's open legs, her hips nearly touching the suit clad limbs. Her task, which was wrapping the roll of gauze tightly around the exposed chest of Thrax, had not only brought her uncomfortably close to his towering, leering face, but also managed to keep her hands in constant contact with his torso, sapphire fingers brushing against red skin. Feeling an enraged flush creep up onto her cheeks, Ray quickly tied off the bandage, and went over to pack up the medical supplies to get it ready to take to Zane.
"Bite me" Rachel finally growled as she picked up the first aid kit, tossing a scornful sneer at Thrax. The virus's leer stretched out further on his face as he slipped back on the blood soaked shirt.
"With pleasure baby" Thrax's resounding chuckle was cut short as something resembling a pointed heel stuck him in the face, causing the virus to curse out as Rachel wobbled unsteadily out of the supply room, lips pursed tight in annoyance.
o0o
Zane willingly followed the germ who had led him away from his mistress, his sharpened claws clicking against the concrete floor of the warehouse. After defeating Bruiser, Zane was pushed back into the cage that he had waited in before he was summoned into the arena, but after a while, his mistress had come for him.
The rabies virus became visibly excited as his long tail swept from side to side with the happy thought of his sapphire mistress. She had come to visit him and heal him, cooing softly with comforting words and bestowing pleasant ear scratches. Zane didn't care that her former mate had forced Rachel into putting him the fights, if it was something that needed to be done in order to protect her, than he was more than willing to do it. Speaking of protecting his mistress, that red man was with her, and much to Zane's dislike, he smelt strongly of her. He didn't know what occurred between the two of them, but the rabies virus caught the red man staring at his mistress more than once when he thought no one was looking.
The excitement that had caused his tail to twitch happily was replaced with a low growl, spooking the cold germ that led him to the back where he would sleep for the night until the next fight. Zane thought himself a rather friendly animal, he liked the cold pill and the purple woman, and even put up with the loud, ice blue man. But the instant he had smelled that red virus in the hospital when they had first moved there, Zane knew he did not like him one bit. He smelled of many bad things, especially of burnt flesh, but the rabies sensed something worse in the virus than that, mostly when he was near his mistress. As to what it was though, Zane was at a loss, all he knew was that day by day, he sensed the strange something grow, and no matter how many times he sent the red man warning growls, it continued to.
Pulled out of his thoughts as the germ leading him opened a bolted door in front of them, Zane finally observed his surroundings as he followed the germ through the doorway. It was a large concrete room filled from wall to wall, ceiling to floor, with cages. The higher ones were empty, but the ones trapped underneath were filled with creatures of all shapes and size, growling, howling, and purring for all they were with. Red eyes glanced left and right, nose twitching in a failing attempt to identify the animally transferred diseases that filled the rows of cages Zane was being led down.
"Alright champ, this is your place for the night" Announced the germ as he unlocked the door to a large cage. Zane stared at the cage for a moment before glancing at the gray man with a look the germ was almost tempted to recognize as a 'are you serious?' look. Shaking the insane idea from his head, the germ pushed the rabies virus into the cage before the animal had time to protest.
"Don't try to escape, don't cause trouble, and most importantly, don't wake up Gypsy" Warned the cold as he turned away, turning off the lights and bolting the door behind him. Zane let out a gruff; surely, if his mistress was aware of just how they were treating him here, she would teach them a lesson about proper animal care they wouldn't soon forget. But, Zane knew that it was hard enough on Rachel to leave him behind as was custom for the animals that competed in the games, so he wouldn't cause her more worry by complaining. It was rather curious actually; sometimes his mistress seemed to be so clever as to know what he was actually thinking. For a cell, she was rather smart…
Zane's thoughts were interrupted as his ears detected a low, threatening growl start up from the cage on his left. Curious, Zane shifted closer, his sharp eyes detecting a large shape shift in the cage that was only inches away from his. Recalling what the germ had said about not waking Gypsy up, Zane decided to see just what was so threatening about him.
Returning the feral growl with a soft, friendly rumble, Zane notice the dark shape come closer, and closer, and…
With barely a second to spare, Zane somehow managed to avoid the claws that swiped out at him, his keen nose detecting the poison that dripped from them. Another paw joined the first in the mysterious animal's attempt to slash out the intruding rabies's throat, the once low growl replaced with a territorial roar. Not wanting to get anywhere near the poison producing talons, Zane slumped against the opposite end of his cage, and waited for now identified Gypsy to calm down.
He didn't have to wait long as soon the two paws retreated through the wide bars of his cage and back into their own. Still very wary, Zane scooted as close as he dared to get a better look of the creature that was so infuriated with him for existing. Red eyes settled on the form of the now still animal, and after a moment of studying the creature, Zane felt his jaw start to drop.
Gypsy was a female, an honest to Frank female. With four paws tipped with deadly looking claws, deep, blushing pink skin, a long feathery tufted tail, and the deepest green eyes he had ever seen, the rabies virus felt his usually frothing mouth go dry as he gaped at the female that continued to glare at him. With her reclined feline shaped body and eyes entrancing him, Zane felt himself drawing near the deadly female.
With a snarl, Gypsy threateningly raised one of her paws at the rabies virus she had thought she had made it clear to not to mess with her. But to her surprise, the darkly skinned male lowered his head so he was lying down, his red eyes staring up at her with puppy like charm. With a hiss, the pink tinted female turned her pointed face away, her tufted tail twitching with impatience for the obviously brain damaged male. Zane didn't care that he was being ignored though, as it gave him the opportunity to observe the catty female without the threat of her claws. As striking as her rose-pink skin was, it was unfortunately marred with many battle scars, but to the rabies virus, this only added to her beauty. She was a survivor, she was strong, and she had the most delicately muscled paws he had ever seen…
Hearing a soft whine coming from the cage next to her, Gypsy looked over to see the rabies virus roll over onto his back, batting at the air playfully with his six paws. Her head titled to one side in utter confusion at the male's attempt to get her attention with cuffs and purrs. She had never seen any creature act like this, having spent her whole life wandering from body to body with her master, the one the cells called the Ring Master, but it was fascinating.
Noticing that his invitation to play was not doing the trick, Zane flipped himself back over onto his stomach, thinking about just what would get this gorgeous female to respond. His schemes were interrupted though, when he felt a feathered tail bat gently at his nose. Looking over to meet emerald eyes that were shining playfully as a pink tail teased him again, Zane felt his mouth go bone dry once more.
A sleepless night was spent for the rabies virus and the gypsy that had stolen his heart, purrs and playful growls resounding in the concrete room as the two animals enjoyed the other's gentle company.
o0o
"Did Zane look a little tired to you?" Ray asked Thrax as the two of them made their way from the animal overnight room to the viewing area, it being the first place they visited after spending the day with Jones and others in wait for night time. The once again disguised virus felt like rolling his eyes at the doctor's question; how she had ever come to care so much for that thing, he would never understand, just as he was sure he would never understand the creature's obsessive dislike for him.
"Didn't notice baby, I was too entranced with the way you fill out that suit so well" Thrax gave as his response, causing the good doctor to react with her usual annoyed twitch, though the expression was far milder than he had wanted it to be. Taking revenge on his flirtatious comment by jabbing the still very sore left side of the virus, Ray left a snarling Thrax behind as she walked out onto the viewing floor. His comments have gotten a lot more frisky, last night being a prime example, ever since she made the mistake of teasing him back that one sparring session several weeks ago. Since then, the two of them had made it somewhat of a weekly routine of boxing together, and as a result, it provided both plenty of opportunities to tease and learn from each other as Thrax's game of cat and mouse changed to one of cat verses cat.
As Ray wound her way through the already crowded room to lean against the metal fence to wait for the final rounds to start, a disturbing thought crossed her mind. She was probably the closest person to Thrax. It was assured that neither of them cared for the other, but in Thrax's attempts to bide his time until he was free of Frank and in her responses to his lewd comments, they had come to share much. Probably more than either of them ever wanted to, yet bizarre situation after bizarre situation seemingly forced it to be so, as if the two of them had no choice but to learn about the other. Ray shook the thought out of her head, not wanting to think on such things with the grand finale of their case just ahead of them.
Having finally caught up with the woman who constantly tested his new found and relatively unstable control, Thrax leaned against the railing besides Rachel, staring down into the pit as she was. It would be any moment now, the fights would soon begin, and once the viral crowd was worked up into a frenzy of bets and blood, the S.F.F.F. led by Jones, Dr. Abby, and Drix would sweep in, and arrest everyone on sight before Zane even had to step out into the arena a second time. With the risk of jinxing himself, Thrax thought so far everything was going perfectly according to plan, his and Frank's Finest. Continuing to uphold not only Andrew's deal but also Jones's, Thrax was also making good head way with overcoming the antibodies, as well as acquiring some information about his chain.
As a taste that he was still serious about their deal, Jones had told Thrax just before he left with Ray for this case, that his chain was defiantly somewhere in the mayor's personal possession. How the immunity cell had dug up this obscure tid bit of info or whether he was telling him all he knew, Thrax didn't care. However, when the cell finished the whispered conversation with the threat that if he dared tried to hurt anyone, cell or germ, not purely in the act of self-defense, he would kill them then and there, Thrax couldn't help but respond with a 'you can try Jones'. It was just so laughable how the cell thought he really stood a chance against protecting this body from him a second time, when he would not only be ready for Jones, but also stronger than ever before.
"What you grinning about Red?" A smoky feminine voice interrupted virus's violent thoughts. Looking over at the sapphire woman who was peering up at him, Thrax smirked.
"Are my inner most thoughts really so interesting to you baby?" He responded with playfully quirked brows. Ray's lip jerked in irritation as she let out what felt like the millionth exasperated scoff at the virus.
"No," She replied curtly "Frankly I don't really want to know what goes on in that depraved mind of yours, it's just I have been taught to be wary of quiet viruses. It usually means they're plotting something nasty…" Thrax smirked at the honesty that permeated the woman's words and her astuteness about viruses.
"I said this once already, but that tongue of yours is gonna get you in trouble one day" Tut-tutted Thrax as he tapped his long claws against the railing, standing tall so that the woman leaning forward had to crane her neck back to see him.
"What can I say? I got a sharp mind and even sharper tongue, and I'm not afraid of using either" Shrugged the small woman, not realizing the opening she had just unwittingly given the virus. Thrax turned so his back was leaning against the fencing, folding his arms across his broad chest as he held Ray's gaze with roguishly tinted yellow eyes.
"Care to prove that baby?" Ray chuckled bitterly as she shook her head in amusement, denying the virus of the annoyed glare he was fond of. Maybe she was growing used to his teasing advances. Might be time to up the ante then...
"Ladies and gentlegerms, your beloved Ring Master presents once more for your entertainment, survival of the deadliest!" Thrax and Ray's attention was torn away from each other and down towards the arena, just in time to see Zane pushed out from the barred door.
"No, no, no. He's supposed to be the last to fight!" Muttered Rachel as she stood herself up straight, grabbing out her cell phone to give Jones the unexpected update. Texting her message quickly, the disguised white blood cell returned her gaze back onto her Darling, who was peering back up at her, his keen senses picking up on her distress. Just then, the opposite door within the arena opened up, and out came Zane's competitor for this round.
"There has been an unexpected change of plans ladies and gentlegerms, seems that many animals had been too damaged in last night's fights to continue onto the final round. So I am afraid that the two animals we wanted to save for last are going first instead. In the far corner, last night's champion, Zane! In the opposite, your personal favorite and my best girl, Gypsy!" The Ray watched the rose tinted feline like disease perk its pointed ears at the sound of her name, the doctor instantly recognizing Zane's opponent as none other than a deadly bacterial disease commonly called Cat Scratch. Looking over the tell-tale poison tipped claws that caused scorching fevers; Rachel couldn't stop the feeling of dread that spread within her.
Feeling her phone vibrate, Ray glanced down at the message Jones had sent back at her, hoping it held good news for her.
'Can't come, not enough men for a rescue, only arrest. Do what you can to get out and we will try to get you guys as soon as we can'
Translation; you're on your own.
"Damn it all to hell!" Cursed Ray as she stuffed the phone back inside her pocket, attracting the attention of Thrax.
"I take it help isn't coming?" Taking the grunt the woman let out as she kicked at the railing with her spiked heel as a yes, Thrax looked back down into the arena, where Gypsy could be seen starting to circle Zane. Looks like it was all up to the rabies virus to survive this one on his own.
Though he could sense the anger and concern that his mistress smelled heavily of, Zane couldn't help but start purring as he saw Gypsy in front of him, no cage in between them this time. Ignoring the cheers and jeers of the viral crowd above him, the rabies virus bravely strode closer to the pink female, his tail swaying happily. Gypsy watched him wide eyed as Zane lowered himself into a playful stance, softly growling an invitation to join him. Just what was this brain damaged male thinking? This was the bad room; where she and others like her were sent to kill or be killed, not play. But as she saw Zane pounce up onto his feet teasingly, the scarred female felt the need to disobey the crowd's want for blood, and returned the virus's friendly purr.
"What the hell is that thing doing?" Asked Thrax as he watched Zane not only lightly bat at his rosy opponent, but also gently nip at her ear as the two ran about happily.
"Why that sly dog…" Breathed out Rachel in both amusement and relief. Leave it to her Darling to charm the pink off any violent driven female.
"I apologize ladies and gentlegerms," Stuttered the Ring Master over the microphone, looking down into the pit in utter shock that his girl would disobey what he thought was instinct by now as the viral crowd booed louder at the sight "We will rectify this behavior immediately"
At his command, two black clothed germs stepped through the barred doors Zane and Gypsy had not come out themselves just a moment ago, covered from head to toe in padded armor and carrying pointed electrical prods. Thrax saw the sapphire woman next to him tense up, barely able to suppress the gasp that wanted to escape as she watched Zane and the catty disease stop in their play to glance at the men coming towards them, not understanding what was going on. That was soon corrected however, when one of the germs sent a jolt through Gypsy with a cruel stab of the prod at her side, causing the female to emit a yelp of pain. Anger instantly flaring, Zane tried to break away the prod's contact on his companion, only to be stopped as the other germ jabbed at him, sending a cruel current of electricity through him.
"Hold on baby, just what do you think you're doing?" Asked Thrax as he noticed Ray trying to climb the railing in time to grab and pluck her off before she could make it over.
"I'm getting my Darling! Put me down now you bastard!" Protested Ray as she tried to worm out of Thrax's strong hold with a few thrashes and kicks, but only succeeded in getting his grip to tighten more around her waist.
"Like hell I will. The brain cell was right, you are the greatest danger to yourself" Muttered Thrax as he continued to hold onto the squirming woman, ignoring the hard jabs she drove into his still tender side.
"What are you talking about?" Ray asked as she looked up to meet Thrax's eyes, confusion riddling her face. Mentally cursing himself for letting that slip, the purple dyed virus thought up a quick lie, and was just about to tell the woman trapped in his arms, when a wounded roar caused her to look away from him. Zane was now lying on the arena floor, his strength spent by the tortuous amount electricity that the germ was still sending through him. Looking down at the woman trapped in his grip, Thrax saw the distraught expression on Ray's face, blinking eyes trying to hold back budding tears. If he let her go, then she would try to get back inside the arena, if he didn't, then the rabid dog would be killed in the Ring Master's attempt to stir him and the pink thing up into a fight, and this whole case would be a bust. With a pained roll of his eyes, Thrax's mind decided quickly what needed to be done in order to get them all out alive, hopefully.
"You are a huge pain in the ass, you know that baby?" Rachel turned away from the sight in the arena in time to see Thrax sigh in frustration, releasing her from his grip.
"Make yourself useful and work up a distraction or something"
"Why, what are you doing?" Thrax looked down at the woman who was now standing next to him, letting a confident smirk grow as he straightened the lapels of his jacket.
"Oh, just something that I'll probably regret" And with that, Thrax threw himself over the railing, landing down in the arena with unearthly grace. Staring wide eyed for a moment as she witnessed the virus bash one of the armored germ's head against the concrete side of the pit, Ray forced herself to concentrate on for once doing what Thrax told her too. Distraction, she needed to create a distraction. Spotting a pile of vodka bottles stacked high in a far off corner that was meant to be served once the more criminally elite clientele arrived; inspiration stuck the doctor and she took off to find a lighter.
Taking the second germ down as easily as he had the first, Thrax kicked away the prods, freeing the rabies virus and his pink friend. Standing up on shaking legs, Zane looked up at the red man, the last face he ever expected to see down here helping him.
"I'm only doing this so the doctor doesn't get killed on my watch, so don't look so smug" Thrax explained sternly to the six legged freak that was smirking haughtily up at him. About to respond with a roll of his red eyes, Zane looked up at the railing in time to see armed germs surround it, guns aimed down at them.
"Mr. Reed, do you know what the plenty is for interfering with my games?" Asked the Ring Master from behind the line of armed flunkies, his voice nearly drowned out by the roar of germs and viruses who were looking forward to the blood bath that was surely about to happen.
"The plenty is that you don't get to see the next…do any of you smell smoke?" Instantly, the frenzied crowd paused, taking tentative sniffs at the air. In answer to the question they were afraid to ask, a hot blaze enveloped the far corner, sending a wave of heat that even Thrax could feel down in the pit.
"Fire!" Screamed a random virus, sending out a signal to which all, including the armed flunkies, responded with panic and screams of their own. In the blur of flame ensued chaos, Thrax saw that most of the guns that were trained on him and the animals where gone, and the few that remained where to distracted by the mob of viruses and germs that flooded towards the exists. Taking advantage of what was given him, Thrax scooped up the pink feline disease, grateful that the long exposure to electricity slowed the animal's assuredly violent response to being handled by a stranger. With one heave, Thrax launched the bacterial infection over the railing that separated the viewing deck from the pit, the catty female landing gracefully on her feet.
"Your turn mutt" Was all the warning Zane got as he felt himself being lifted up in the grip of the red man, soon finding himself up in the air. Seeing the rabies virus land next to the pink feline, Thrax launched himself up into the air, piercing the concrete wall with his claws to stabilize himself. With great effort, he managed to claw the rest of the way up towards the railing, only to be greeted with the barrel of a gun when he reached it.
"Don't move, or I will blow your fucking brains ou-" The germ never got to finish what he was going to say as the hilt of a large hunting knife collided with the side of his head, sending him sprawling down onto the ground. Thrax chuckled as he climbed over the railing to stand beside the composed doctor, looking over the enveloping fire that had cleared the room.
"Great work baby. One thing though, how did you start the fire?" He asked as he started towards the exit, Rachel and the two rabid animals following after him as she sheathed her weapon back in its case under her shirt.
"Molotov cocktail. Don't ask me how I know how to make one" She replied as they turned down the long hall way, the exit in plain sight. Not bothering to return the amused smirk the virus directed towards her, Rachel ran as fast as her legs could carry her, the heat of the fire she had created licking at her heels. Seems that the little distraction she started was growing quickly into a dangerous disaster. But they were so close that the familiar stench of Frank's stomach permeated the now hot air that soon it wouldn't matter. All they needed to do was take a few more steps and then-
Rachel felt more than heard the explosion, feeling her body being launch forward as a rush of blistering air and sheering flames pushed at her from behind. Closing her eyes in her panic as the blaze encircled her and continued to drive her forward, Ray felt something else wrap itself around her. But whatever it was, she didn't pay any attention to it as the booming sound of the explosion finally caught up with the flames, blinding and deafening her as she felt herself become completely lost to the mercy of gravity.
She didn't know exactly when she had landed against the rubble littered docks of the stomach or how long she had been lying there, but she did know that she hurt. All over. Especially on her back, where pieces of the building she had just escaped from poked at her from the ground. Try as she might though, something on top of her kept her from moving, something very warm and very heavy.
"Red?" She called out dazedly, having yet to open her eyes, wanting to treat the no doubt damaged things carefully.
"Mrh-mh?" She heard the weighty thing on top of her mumble. Perfect.
"Are you okay?" Rachel asked as she finally opened her eyes, confirming her fears about her situation, but also relieved to see an unharmed Zane out of the corner of her eye standing not too far off with his pink companion.
Thrax didn't want to move, or more accurately, his body refused to. In his attempt to shield the doctor from the explosion, he had taken the brute force of it. No doubt his wound had opened up again, most likely accompanied with a couple of bruised ribs and torn tendons. This deal with Andrew to protect the sapphire woman at all costs in return for his chain was so far more trouble than it was worth. Speaking of trouble, where was the doctor? He had heard her, but his ears were still ringing from the painful resound of the explosion, disorientating not just his hearing, but all his senses.
"Yeah, I think so" He muttered back confusedly. He tried to bring a hand to his face to wipe away the rubble that was blurring his vision, but found his hands were trapped underneath something soft that was separating him from the ground.
"Oh, gee, that's good. Great even" Replied the soft thing from underneath him, its voice dripping with sarcasm "Now, do you mind getting off of me Red? I can't breathe" Yellow eyes squinted open see that Rachel was right, he had landed right on top of her, his arms trapped underneath, still gripping her in the hold he had on her when he tried to carry her out of the way of the explosion. Unwinding his arms out from underneath the expressionless doctor, the bruised virus leaned himself up on his elbows, the furthest his body would allow him up. Still trapped under him with her arms pinned to her sides, Ray bit her tongue as she waited impatiently for Thrax to gather back his senses and strength, obviously still very much deprived of both. Glancing over to her right, she saw Zane staring at her concerned, though that melted away with the assuring smile she gave him, which grew wider as she saw her Darling check over the female feline next to him to see if she was alright as well.
"Thank you" Thrax heard the woman beneath him whisper. Opening his eyes once more, he looked down at the cell, seeing her meet his blurred gaze "You saved Zane. And me. So, thanks Red" The small smile she gave him showed her rare, but honest gratitude, and made the virus staring down at her feel rather strange. He was not used to being thanked, especially by someone who made it clear that she disliked him, a lot. It was an odd and new concept, though not entirely an unwelcomed one from the doctor that had for so long held his interest.
"Saving a rabid puppy and his girl, do you realize what this will do to my image?" Thrax replied, shaking his head in mock shame, causing some dreads to fall over his face. Rachel shifted as she chuckled, trying to move away from a piece of rubble that was prodding her lower back awkwardly.
"Said the virus wearing purple make up on his face" Thrax let out a short laugh at the doctor's rebuttal, his senses finally returning to him. Eyes now adjusted, he gazed down at woman underneath him, her dreadlock wig having long since fallen off as well as her red contacts, leaving behind a wild torrent of silver hair and wide obsidian blue eyes. The smirk that grew across the viral face that was just a little more than foot away from her own caused Rachel to become visibly uncomfortable as she shifted again, this time not because of the rocks sticking her back, but at the gripping sensation of Thrax's dark rimmed eyes piercing down at her so intently.
"Umm, yeah. Well, like I said before Red, thanks, but uh, could you get off me now?" Ray asked once more, her tone betraying her somewhat flustered state of having the virus still on top of her.
"I don't think I want to just yet baby" Seeing her obsidian eyes open wider in shock and ruddy lips part in a silent gasp, Thrax dropped his voice down to a low whisper, relishing in every single craving the sight of the woman trapped beneath him created.
"I like seeing you like this. Underneath me, squirming and writhing"
Ray couldn't move. She couldn't even breathe. She had admitted to herself not long ago that she was becoming used to the virus's advances, and even found them entertaining at times to throw back at his face with a rebuttal, but this time was different. His half-lidded yellow eyes, his devilish grin, his close proximity, the feeling of his scorching body pinning her down, his hot breath, his whispering voice, all of it was so different, somehow more real, more genuine, more…possessive.
Something went through her, a needle sharp sensation traveling quickly up her spine, causing Rachel to tremble. But it wasn't anything close to an icy shiver, no; it was a spark, a flash of cruel heat that left her cold and wanting more as soon as it had run through her. And truth be told, that terrified the sapphire woman far more than the fact that Thrax was now lowering his face down closer to hers, his gaze trained on her-
She panicked.
Reeling back in pain to cultch his forehead, Thrax muttered every curse he knew, not caring that Rachel was now free from him and scrambling up to her feet. Not looking back to see if her unexpected head butt had caused the virus to bleed, Ray headed over to where her Darling and his new friend where standing, taking comfort in the approaching sound of sirens as she forbid her mind to think about what had almost happened between her and the virus.
o0o
"Sugar, I leave you alone for just a couple of weeks, and you set the docks of Frank on fire. What am I going to do with you?" Greeted Leah as she brought her sapphire friend into a gentle embrace, her relieved sigh betraying the concern she felt underneath her teasing tone.
"I can't help it Lee, trouble just follows me around" Replied Rachel as the beautiful brain cell let go of her finally, but kept her close. Ray looked out over the scene before her, S.F.F.F. members scuttling everywhere trying to clean up the damage she had caused as well as try to round up the few germs and viruses that failed to escape. Watching as the outside doors to the animal holding room opened up and cages where one by one transported into a nearby van, Ray suddenly became aware of an oppressing presence near her.
"I would say good job, but seeing as how this is far from a job well done, as you all failed to catch a single worthwhile criminal, I guess I don't have to bother" Commented Andrew as he, Jones, Thrax and Drix wandered their way closer to the two girls.
"Hey, Jones, what the hell were you thinking when you sent me that text?" Asked Ray, finding it rather easy to ignore the grey cell standing next to her. The same could not be said however of the small, incendiary leer that the now recovered Thrax sent her way. Taking her head butt as a warning, the virus had so far stayed away from her since the S.F.F.F. arrived, but Ray knew that he was biding his time until he could continue on in his new game with her, a game that held different rules and went beyond flirtatious words...
Before she could think more on what she had just interpreted in the look the virus sent her way though, Rachel returned her attention on her friends in time to see Jones's relived expression at seeing her unharmed fall away to confusion.
"Sent text, what are you talking about Ray? I lost my phone this morning; I have been trying to find it all day!"
"Well then who the hell sent me that text telling me that back up wasn't available?!" Ray knew she didn't need a reply to answer her question as she directed a glare right at Andrew, the right hand of the mayor smirking confidently.
"All the animals and viruses are now my responsibility, so if you don't mind, I am going to go do my job. Oh, Jones, you dropped this. You should really take better care of your personal items…" Ozzy caught the cell that Andrew tossed at him before he turned to send a not so subtle wink towards Rachel. Yeah, he knew she was trying to get over her hate for him, and he was trying to do everything in his power to prevent that from ever being possible.
"I really, really, really hate that man" She growled out, the others nodding in agreement. But thankfully, before they could speak about their suspicions on the reason why mayor's man putt them all in danger, again, and ponder themselves into a bottomless hole, Zane and his new friend, Gypsy, trotted over.
"Oh, come here Darling. I am so proud of you, you sly dog you" Cooed Rachel as she bent down to give Zane a greatly deserved ear scratch. The rabies virus leaned into his mistress's touch, his loud purr at the cell's affection causing the pink feline to tilt her head in confusion.
"Well now, let's take a look of you new friend here, Gypsy wasn't it?" Said Ray as she turned her attention over to the female that stood off a little ways from her and the others. Hearing her name being called, Gypsy's ears perked right up. Upon seeing Ray's out stretched hand, the Cat Scratch infection tentatively came forward, head bent down in timid suspicion. Soon though, Gypsy was near enough to allow Ray to gently scratch at her chin. Zane let out a pleased rumble as instantly his pink companion relaxed at the touch of his mistress, happy that the two most important females in his life were bonding so easily.
"Oh, what a beautiful girl…" Spoke Leah softly as she too leaned down besides Ray, placing a tender hand on the rosy feline. Enjoying her first taste of true affection, Gypsy let out a loud purr, closing her green eyes in contentment as the two women showed her in coos and fusses.
"Uh, Leah? That thing might be contagious or something-"
"Does she look contagious to you?" Leah interrupted her boyfriend, taking the pink creature in her arms in an embrace. Jones felt like groaning in exasperation as he saw a familiar doe eyed look emerge on Gypsy's face, knowing exactly who taught her how to do that.
"No…" He grumbled out, sending a glare at the smug looking Zane.
"Well good, cause I am taking her home" Announced Leah as she straightened herself up, disbelieving gawks directed at her.
"Uhm, Miss Leah, are you sure you want to be doing that?" Invoked Drix.
"I trust Zane's judgment of character" Rebutted Leah as she gave said rabies virus a pat on the head, causing his tail to twitch with happiness at seeing the purple woman his mistress was so fond of.
"Besides," She said as she turned her gaze onto the distant van where the sounds of confused animals could be heard as more cages where stuffed into it "I don't think whatever Andrew's got planned for those creatures is anything near pleasant. That, and I have been thinking about getting a guard dog, cat, thing" Ray chuckled as she stood herself up, shedding her once new and rather stylish looking torn suit jacket as she did so.
"There's no use arguing with her Jones" Rachel told the ice blue cell who looked like he was about to protest again "What Leah says, goes" She added, stating like this was a fact proven by science. Jones let his head fall into an exhausted slump. There were too many questions running through his head from Andrew's most recent offenses to try and challenge that truth. He needed a drink, and he needed one now.
"Come on gang, let's go get so drunk that Drix's singing sounds good"
"Since when have you ever heard me sing?"
"Shut up you two, and not a word from either of you until I am completely inebriated"
"Yes ma'am"
"Call me ma'am again Jones and you will be spitting your teeth out for a week" The gang of misfits and oddities continued in their banter as they headed over to where they had parked their vehicles. Sneers, glares, smirks, and laughter abounded much in the hospital that as the members of Frank's Finest downed one bottle after the next as the night progressed, celebrating the fact that they had all survived another case with friends, lovers, and enemies.
~o0o~
The LaLaBlue Post:
Ten chapters done! Hurray! And what's this (how many times have I said this by now?)?! Looks like Ray and Thrax are getting closer than ever…hmmm… ;) Just wait until Chapter 12! *Laughs evilly and manically*
And yeah, I have a thing for warehouses don't I? Let's see if I can break that odd habit…Also, I apologize for this chapter for being so cheesy and mushy-gushy at points, I got a soft spot for animals…I also hoped that you guys enjoyed seeing things from Zane's perspective for a bit. I go to admit, the loveable rabies virus, besides Rachel of course, is my favorites O.C. character for my story, because, what's not to love about him? I guess it's because he is a favorite of mine that I made a girl for him. I seem to be doing that for all of the characters huh? First Drix, now Zane, all that's left is Andrew…*gags* That is assuredly not going to happen! I do apologize that the last part of the chapter was rather anticlimactic to the whole explosion and the intimate moment with Thrax and Ray, but I wanted to tie up some loose ends.
One last thing guys, this chapter has taken a big step in Thrax and Ray's dysfunctional relationship, so please let me know if I handled this change well! And please let me know if I am still keeping to the characters personalities!
Anyway, like always, unlikely the same time, but defiantly same place. Till then…
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Keep on turning up the heat…