Alan- N/A

Doc- N/A

Jamie- N/A

Zoey- N/A

--

A few hours in the military outpost and Alan was already screaming at every soldier to get to Sergeant Williams, but to no avail. Doc attempted to calm his bulky friend down, somehow finding him easier to deal with whenever their lives were in danger. Jamie hadn't been seen since the survivors left the cafeteria, but no one really went looking for him. Zoey and Maria were escorted to their new barracks which was surprisingly luxurious. There was a couch that folded out into a bed, a reclining chair and two actual beds. The soldier that escorted the two female survivors said that Sergeant Williams felt that they at least deserved a little extra comfort. There was also a small bathroom with a sink, a shower, and a toilet. Zoey allowed Maria to take a shower first while the former got more settled into their room. For the first time in nearly three weeks, Zoey let her hair casually fall down from its usual ponytail.

Zoey looked in the mirror, turning her head from side to side, trying to straighten her straggly, dirty hair out. The survivor turned to one of the beds, noticing several different types of casual clothing lied out for her to choose. They were all the same, only differing in sizes. Zoey grabbed one wardrobe, unfolding the clothes which were a black tank top, and a pair of black shorts. Zoey changed into these clothes then walked towards one of the beds, noticing a book on one of the nightstands. Not really caring what it was, Zoey grabbed the book and opened it while leaning on the back of the bed. A knocking was heard on the door before it slowly opened. Jamie poked his head in, spotting Zoey and smiling at her.

"Hey," Jamie greeted.

"Hi," Zoey replied.

"I was told this is our room," Jamie said as he walked into the large room. "Pretty nice compared to everything else at this base. Where's Maria?"

"Taking a shower," Zoey answered, nodding her head to the bathroom. Jamie nodded then turned to the clothes folded up and lied out for them. Without warning, the survivor took off his shirt then grabbed a white tank top and put it over his bandaged body. "Oh yeah, free strips shows make the zombie apocalypse SO much better." Jamie looked up to Zoey, smiling brightly.

"I'm sorry, should've I given you a warning or something? Or maybe you want to order me to take my shirt off like in the library."

"That was to help you because you were being stupid and dislocated your shoulder, not because I wanted to see you without a shirt on. Trust me I've seen plenty of guys without clothes." Jamie's eyes widened as he mouthed 'wow.' Zoey realized what she said then blushed with embarrassment. "Not completely naked, I meant like without their shirts on!"

"I didn't say anything," Jamie replied, holding back his laughter. Zoey glared at him for a moment before turning back to her book. "What're you reading?"

"The bible apparently," Zoey answered, closing the book before looking at the cover with a lost look. "I just grabbed it and start reading it." Jamie nodded before lying down in the bed next to Zoey's. "So," she began as she placed the book on the nightstand. "Who's Michelle?" Jamie rolled his eyes and shook his head, laughing a bit. "No, come on. Tell me."

"She's an old friend of mine. We knew each other since we were five, and we've been like brother and sister since."

"Really," Zoey questioned, narrowing her eyes a bit. "With a face and chest like that one would think you were more than friends…" Jamie's face became hot for as he looked away for a moment.

"We thought about it, but we couldn't see ourselves being a couple. We thought it would be too weird, so we decided to stay friends." Zoey nodded, quietly humming to herself in understanding. "Alright, your turn, any close friends you wanna tell me about?"

"Why would you want to know," Zoey asked with a teasing grin. "Jealous or something?"

"I figured we were trading information," Jamie replied. "If anything I think you'd be jealous." Zoey stuck her tongue out at Jamie before staring down at the bed. Silence filled the room until Jamie finally shifted slightly, "You didn't have any close friends…?"

"Before the apocalypse? Not really. My roommate and I didn't talk that much, mainly because she'd be in other guys' dorms having sex. She thought I was a bit weird, can you believe that? A shut in like me weird."

"I know, I can't believe it," Jamie replied with a smirk. "But you said before the apocalypse…what about—oh…" Zoey's eyes slowly hollowed out as the happiness faded quickly. "Shit, I'm so sorry Zoey." The female survivor chuckled slightly before looking up at the ceiling.

"You almost died defending me a few hours ago and you're apologizing to me?" Zoey moved her head over to Jamie and smiled slightly. "Their names were Bill, Francis, and Louis. I tried to climb down the fire escape of my dorm and I didn't get to the four-way before zombies started chasing me and I stumbled upon Bill armed with an automatic assault rifle…" Zoey sighed shakily, trying to get a hold of herself while remembering her former team. "We Francis met a little while later riding a motorcycle down the street before being pulled off his bike by a Smoker. We saved him and he decided to tag along. He kinda knew Bill from a bar the both of them went to apparently. And we found Louis entering the same safe house we were trying to enter from the other end. We all almost shot each other whenever the door closed." Zoey sighed again, this time more steadily. Jamie smiled then placed a supportive hand on her knee. Zoey looked down at his hand then up at Jamie.

"Thanks for sharing. I know that can't be easy for you." Zoey shrugged and shook her head a bit.

"It's okay. Nothing I can do about it now right?" Jamie didn't respond as he took his hand off of Zoey's knee. "Your team reminds me a lot about those three…"

"Really," Jamie asked with a strange look.

"Yeah. Francis was a big buff biker who was as fearless as they come and did things just to prove to us how amazing he was. He was a combination of you and Alan…mostly Alan I think."

"Has he done anything that topped one of Alan's stories?"

"He did punch a Tank in the face with his bare hands." Jamie's eyes widened, nearly popping out of his head. "He had to reload his shotgun right as a Tank was going for Louis. Apparently there wasn't enough time so he runs up and socks it in the face with his fist."

"Wow," Jamie replied, laughing in amazement.

"Luckily Bill and I were able to get the Tank's attention before it broke Francis in half. He wouldn't stop bragging about it for the next few days. I suppose he did deserve kudos for it."

"So who do the rest of us remind you of?"

"Doc definitely reminds me of Louis. They both for whatever reason like to be finely dressed for the apocalypse. Louis was a Junior Systems Analyst, a job which made him some money, but he still hated his job. Louis also had a bit of a short temper at times, mainly with zombies, or Francis. But he had an unshakable optimistic feeling about everything. No matter how bad things got he always had a good feeling about our next rescue."

"So I guess I remind you of Bill?"

"Well…sort of. You were both the leaders of your teams, and really great leaders who are fearless. There's just one major difference between you and Bill. Well actually a few, but one real major one."

"Which was…?"

"Bill was the veteran I told you about back in the library. So aside from surviving through Vietnam, having a bad knee, smoking a cigarette constantly, and a lot more experience, you two were a lot alike." Zoey leaned back, bringing her legs up to her body while staring at the ceiling. "I don't think there was anyone of them I liked more than the other. I just…I dunno…"

"Had different relationships with each," Jamie asked.

"Yeah," Zoey replied with a confused look on her face. She turned to Jamie, "I don't know how you can explain this type of stuff. But like Francis wasn't as bad of a guy as he led on to be. Sure he went to jail, beat up a few people, stole, maybe killed some people, but I knew he was a big softy under it all. Like one time I accidently startled a Witch and it came running after me and clawed my gun in half with one swing and barely hit me. But, I was thrown into a wooden wall and blacked out for a moment. Louis told me Francis blew the Witch's head off then shot her like four more times. I woke up like a second later and Francis was tearing up. He tried to play it off saying that some of the Witch's blood got into his eyes. That was the first time Francis showed a caring side to any of us."

"That sounds like Alan alright," Jamie agreed with a nod.

"And Louis was open and easy to get along with and Bill was too sometimes. Most of the time though he just argued with Francis. But they were each different in their own way, but we all got along so well. It was weird, but…it felt right…"

Jamie smiled before the door to the bathroom opened. Both survivors turned to see Maria wearing a baggy T-shirt and black shorts and had her hair up in a ponytail. Maria saw Jamie then smiled at him and waved. Jamie smiled and waved back before turning to Zoey.

"I guess you're next up for the shower?"

"I guess so," Zoey replied as she stood up then headed for the bathroom.

She stopped for a moment then quickly glanced over her should before heading into the bathroom. Jamie lied back on the bed, staring at the ceiling while Maria looked from the bathroom to Jamie. The little girl poked Jamie's leg, getting his attention. Maria pointed to the bathroom with a confused look.

"What? We talked, and she told me a little bit about herself." Maria blinked twice at Jamie. "What else were we supposed to talk about?" Maria made a rounding motion across her chest. Jamie rolled his eyes, trying not to laugh at the motion the little girl made. "She asked about Michelle, yes." Maria rolled her arm, telling Jamie to continue. "Michelle and I are old childhood friends." The black haired girl made a heart on her chest. "Her and I were like brother and sister. It would've been too weird for us, so we decided to remain friends." Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and Zoey poked her head out, covering her upper body with a towel. After a moment of silence Jamie finally asked, "Can I help you?"

"You were talking to her right?"

"How much did you hear," Jamie asked accusingly.

"Just a little bit," Zoey replied innocently. "You can understand her wacky hand motions completely without asking questions?"

"Someone has to understand her," Jamie answered. "Why?"

"No reason," Zoey replied before closing the door again. Jamie turned to Maria who gave a wide eyed, innocent look.

"What'd you two talk about?" Maria shook her head in response. "Don't give me that. I know she talked to you." Maria shrugged, spinning her finger across from the side of her head. "She's not crazy: you are." Maria glared harshly at Jamie. Just then, the front door opened.

"I don't care what he says! If zombies start flooding into this base they're gonna want as many people with guns as possible immune or otherwise!" Alan stormed into the room with a weary looking Doc behind him. "And damn this is a nice room," the bulky survivor added with a loud, angry voice.

"Hi Alan," Zoey's voice called from the bathroom, over the sound of the shower.

"Hello Zoey," Alan replied, not calming down.

"I take it you didn't get our guns back," Jamie asked.

"What was your first clue," Doc remarked sarcastically as he grabbed a large green T-shirt.

"I still think Williams is gonna shoot us all whenever the food is low and eat us so then he doesn't have to eat that shit they serve us!"

"Alan, he's not a zombie," Jamie replied.

"Whatever, he's a dick! It's not like I'm gonna run around shooting people! I only shoot zombies! Oh shit, wait, how was your date Jamie?" The survivors gave Alan a confused look. "Come on, surely Michelle was 'happy' to see you right?" Jamie rolled his eyes and shook his head while Doc only sighed. Maria kicked Alan's shin in anger. "YEOW! THAT HURT!" Maria made a quick series of angry and rapid arm movements and hand gestures. Doc and Alan gave a blank stare to the little girl before turning to Jamie.

"She says stop being suck a dick Alan…" Jamie looked up at his partners' confused stares. "What? You didn't notice when she pointed to the crotch…?"

"Why were you-,"

"I was watching her hand gestures dumbass," Jamie cut off Alan. "But no, Michelle and I just talked. We're just friends, that's all."

"Incredibly hot friends you got Jamie," Doc replied as he finished taking his button up shirt off.

"Oh yeah Doc, I mean I'm hanging out with you aren't I?" Doc laughed as he put his T-shirt on.

"Damn Jamie, you start hitting on me and I didn't even know we were friends."

"So…you're saying Michelle is single," Alan asked slowly. Jamie sighed heavily in frustration. Maria pulled her leg back again, causing Alan to jump back in fear. "I'm joking! Don't kick me again!" Maria lowered her leg again, giving Alan a warning glare. "I'm surprised boss, Michelle is pretty freaking hot."

"Christ we've been safe for a few hours and he's already back to thinking life is normal," Doc said.

"Hey, I'm just wondering if I've got a chance." The bathroom door opened again as Zoey walked out in her black tank top and shorts with her hair hanging down and damp.

"Alright, who's next in the shower," Zoey questioned.

"I guess I would be," Jamie replied. "Warm water on sore muscles, that's a good thing right Doc?"

"It should be," the doctor replied. "Go nuts." Jamie walked towards the bathroom and closed the door behind him. Zoey sighed then hopped onto one of the beds, bouncing up and down slightly.

"I've got a question for all of you," Zoey said. "Well, except Maria who doesn't talk." Maria stuck her tongue out at Zoey, who then stuck her own tongue back out at the little girl.

"Go for gold," Alan replied as he grabbed one of the tank tops.

"Who was your best friend before the infection?" Doc looked up, thinking to himself for a moment while Alan seemed to slow a bit.

"Why," Alan asked.

"Oh, Jamie and I were talking about Michelle and he asked me about my best friend. So?"

"I knew this guy in college, name was Rick. Hell of a guy. Didn't see much of him after college though. Being a doctor means you have little time for best friends."

"What about you Alan," Zoey asked.

"I dunno," the bulky survivor replied quickly.

"Yes you do, tell us," the female survivor persisted. Alan looked at the bathroom door then turned around quickly before huddling everyone close together.

"Alright if you want to know it's gonna be a bombshell," Alan whispered quietly. "I swear, HUGE fucking bombshell and you can't tell anyone I told you okay? Can I trust all of you NOT to tell anyone what I'm about to tell you?"

"Of course," Zoey replied. Maria nodded whenever Alan turned to her. Doc nodded as well. Alan lowered his head for a moment and took a deep breath before looking back up at the others.

"Alright, well you remember whenever I was saying how I met Michelle at a party that some guy named Ed threw?" The survivors nodded. "Edward was his full name, and…" Alan sighed, unsure whether or not to continue.

"Tell us," Doc persisted.

"Ed is…was…Jamie's older brother…" Everyone's eyes widened and their jaws dropped, looking to each other. "You CANNOT tell Jamie you know about Ed, otherwise he literally will shoot me."

"Why didn't he mention a brother before," Doc asked in a quiet rage.

"It's a sensitive issue for him," Alan answered, whispering harshly so Doc would calm down. "Those two were insanely close, even for brothers. I only met Jamie through Ed a few times. I'm serious whenever I say you can't tell Jamie. Whenever we got to safety after meeting he told me what happened and bawled like a fucking baby! I'm not kidding." Zoey looked towards the bathroom door with a saddened look on her face. "Ed was sort of the inspirational male role model for Jamie since neither had a dad. That's why I think they're so close…"

"I've never seen you stress so much importance on something like this," Doc muttered. "We won't breathe a word of it. Right girls?" Zoey and Maria both nodded to Alan.

"Thanks guys," Alan replied, taking a sigh of relief. "So wait, who were your best friends Zoey?" The brunette told the others about Bill, Francis, and Louis just as she told Jamie and even added the story of Francis punching a Tank in the face with his bare hands. This story, obviously, angered Alan. "You've gotta be fucking kidding me! How am I supposed to beat that!?"

"Fart in a Tank's face," Doc guessed.

"Can do," Alan replied.

"A living one," Doc added.

"Fuck!" The bathroom door opened again as Jamie walked out with his tank top, blue jeans and damped hair.

"Next?" Alan got up then headed into the bathroom, taking his tank top with him. "So, what'd you guys talk about?"

"Our friends and stuff," Doc replied. "Zoey already told us yours was Michelle."

"Cool," Jamie said with a shrug before sitting on the edge of the bed. "Who else finds this place extremely boring?" Everyone raised their hands in unison. "Alrighty then, let's assign who sleeps in where."

"I CALL THE COUCH," Alan shouted from the bathroom.

"It pulls out into a bed," Jamie replied. "So I guess Zoey and Maria get their own beds." Maria shook her head, pointed to herself then to Zoey. "Alright, so the girls are sharing a bed. I guess that means I get the other bed."

"Wait, so where the fuck do I sleep?"

"With Alan," Jamie replied with a taunting grin as he jumped onto his bed.

"You're fucking joking…"

"NO WAY," Alan shouted in rage.

"Too bad, unless Doc would like to sleep on the cold hard floor?"

"I really hate you," Doc muttered while staring daggers at Jamie. A knocking was heard on the door.

"Excuse me," a soldier called in as he slowly opened the door. "Sergeant Williams would like to see you at your earliest convenience."

"Alright, well Doc's just got to take a shower after Alan so-," The bathroom door flew open as Alan ran out, dripping wet with a towel wrapped around his waist.

"Is this about getting my guns back," the bulky survivor quickly asked.

"Uh…no…"

"Fuck." Alan turned to the bathroom just as Doc threw his clothes out and slammed the door. "What the hell man!"

"Hey, I'm taking a shower damn it!" Doc shouted from behind the door. Alan mumbled to himself before pulling his pants up under his towel.

"Like I said: only when you all are ready, but Sergeant Williams would like to see you before you go to bed." The soldier nodded before closing the door. The survivors looked to each other then shrugged.

A few minutes later after Doc was done showering, the survivors were escorted to Sergeant Williams by a number of soldiers. The sergeant was in a totally separate building that was rather large, most likely for most of the soldiers and military staff. After walking through the building a bit, the survivors finally entered an office where Williams sat at his desk, his fingers crossed together and his head down.

"I'm glad you could make it…"

"You totally sound happy," Alan muttered bitterly. Doc swiftly elbowed Alan who only glared back. Williams stood up from his chair and turned to his office's back window.

"Everyone knows it: food rations won't last us past the next week, other supplies are running low. I don't know how much longer we're going to survive out here. People have lost hope. But you all…" Williams turned around, staring at the survivors. "You all are for certain immune to the virus, and you're not carriers. You've fought through that entire city of infected zombies and managed to get here safely…"

"Barely," Jamie replied, grabbing his shoulder gently.

"You five are our last hope. It's with a heavy heart that I ask this of you but…I need you all to go back into the city to find my missing squads. Either the fuel they got or the radios that were sent with them." The survivors were quiet, staring at Williams for a moment.

"Sweet," Alan finally said with a smirk on his face.

"When do we leave," Jamie asked.

"Not immediately of course," Williams replied. "Surely Jamie needs time to heal and you all need time to relax obviously. Before the end of the week at the latest is when everything is going to become scarce. I don't want to rush you all; I'm asking enough from you all to head back out there."

"Hey if I get my guns back I'll be just fine," Alan told the sergeant.

"What day is it," Jamie asked.

"I believe it's a Monday if I'm not mistaken…"

"We'll be gone by Thursday," Jamie replied. Williams nodded once, staring for a moment at his desk before looking back up at the survivors.

"Thank you all…" Jamie nodded before turning around and walking out of Williams' office, followed by the rest of his team.