May 5, 2011

~*~ MD ~*~

Merle is doing his damnedest not to laugh at his wife. Carol's half-covered her eyes, peeking through her fingers like a kid watching a horror movie.

It's amusing their own people as well as Ezekiel's, although the king himself is distracted by overseeing the veterinary check on Shiva.

"Don't you dare laugh at me, Merle Dixon. My baby is touching a full-grown tiger like she's a damned kitten."

That just makes it even harder to hide amusement for everyone, although it's not a large crowd because no one wants to startle the big cat at the wrong moment.

With Ezekiel involved, it really does come across as a regular check-up, aside from the sheer size of the patient. Shiva is cooperating easily, responding to the commands Ezekiel gives to allow each step of the check-up.

Hershel's calm words are leading Jazz through each step of the exam. The tiger reacted better to the teenager, so Hershel stepped back as guidance.

Right now, Jazz has the tiger's tail through one of the bars of the enclosure, drawing blood. He's already administered vaccines. Shiva merely twitches her tail back through the bars when he's done.

"What's he saying to her?" Carol's stopped covering her face for the moment as she asks for Merle to translate.

"Let's just say if she were human, we might have to worry about the boy eloping." He isn't sure he's ever heard such sweet talk, not even from his enamored brother-in-law back in his courtship days.

Carol stifles a giggle, and Merle hears smothered amusement from others as Jazz stands and moves away from the tiger's cage. The teenager damn near glows from the interactions with the tiger. He feels a surge of sadness that this world will not provide him with wider opportunities like this.

Jazz snags Honey and Sophia and all three are chattering quietly as they leave Shiva's night quarters. Ezekiel and Hershel join the remaining folks, with the veterinarian shouldering the vet kit that he'll take back to the mobile vet clinic Ezekiel's people located.

"Your son is more enchanted by my Shiva than I am," the king says, sounding fond. "The feeling seems to be mutual."

"He's always had a unique way with animals," Merle replies. "Although she's a far cry from his sheep and our horses."

They're following Ezekiel back to the public areas. The king flashes a more genuine smile than previously given, with little of his usual flair.

"He would have been at home among any zoo veterinary staff, I suspect, had such menageries survived in our world. Animals sense fear or disrespect, especially the big cats, and he has neither."

They've reached the gardens and when Ezekiel dismisses Jerry and Alvaro. Elias leaves with them without being asked.

The king is pensive for a moment. "I must confess I am envious of your family."

"Envious?" Merle supposes he understands. So many others have wracked up losses, and by some miracle, his family has only expanded.

Ezekiel nods. "To have kept so many safe is a tribute to your leadership."

Merle looks at Carol, who shrugs at the unspoken question. He figures it's no real secret back home.

"I am not the one responsible for the initial success of our people." At Ezekiel's inquiring look, he continues. "That honor would probably be best given to my oldest daughter, her husband, and my neighbor. We were all scattered when things got bad."

He summarizes the various groups of survivors and how they managed to cope until they found each other and made it back to Homestead.

Ezekiel looks pensive. "I suppose we both fell into leadership roles, then, but you may have been better prepared."

"It just makes what you've inspired your people to more impressive. Of all the communities we've encountered, the Kingdom is the most stable and self-reliant." Carol gives Ezekiel that sweet, motherly smile she uses to such effect on anyone she thinks needs reassuring.

"I was a zookeeper before. That's how I have Shiva." The king's details of the tiger's plight definitely explain her affection, as much as a cat can manage.

"And the kingly persona?" He has to ask. He never tried to be more than he is personality wise, but considering how he started, that's understandable.

"Community theater. Lots of Shakespeare. Good for speeches." The man's smile is a little sheepish.

"People like to be inspired. Add in a sense of community and safety, and you've done well by them." Merle slips a hand through Carol's as he speaks.

"It is amazing to hear you two have not been married for years. It is obvious Carol's the adoptive mother to the older children here, but I assumed Sophia was born a Dixon."

"She's determined to erase the past that isn't Dixon," Carol says softly. "But it certainly would have been nice to meet Merle fifteen years ago."

As much as he wishes Sophia his and the years with Ed not part of their lives, he's glad in a way that they didn't meet in the year after Jazz was born. He doubts Carol would have married him back then.

"Perhaps in time I will be able to visit Georgia. I confess I am curious to see the differences in our communities in person."

"Consider it an open invitation, then."

Ezekiel smiles, a far more genuine expression that is more man than king for once. "It will be good to have the friendship and counsel of those who share the burdens and joys of leadership."

He glances over to where Jerry has reappeared in the entrance to the garden courtyard. "It seems my self-appointed bodyguard is getting anxious."

"Perhaps you aren't as alone as you think, Ezekiel. That's the sort of worry family displays for each other." Carol begins to lead the way over to the anxious steward. "Responsibility can bring about a sense of brotherhood. You should think about it."

"Much like your family is taking young Jesus into the fold?"

"You caught on to his age, too?"

"He is very skilled in blurring the facts of his age, but there have been a few minor slips that gave it away. He tends to wander by for a few days when he is feeling particularly lonely or out of place at Hilltop."

"And does he still?"

"Visit? Yes. But he no longer seems anxious or adrift. I attributed it to the young lady in his life, even remotely, but he's just as content when she is very obviously taken with another. Instead of young love, it's family."

They've paused out of Jerry's earshot, but Merle can tell that Ezekiel is considering Carol's idea seriously.

"Do you see what I see?" Carol asks.

"Yes, I think I do." Ezekiel captures Carol's free hand and elegantly brushes a kiss across her knuckles. "And I thank milady for sharing her wisdom so graciously."

He flashes Merle a grin bordering on the mischievous as he releases Carol's hand and turns to greet Jerry with enthusiasm.

"Well, darlin', did you ever think you'd get a kiss from royalty?" he teases.

She simply swats his shoulder, laughing, and they follow their host.

~*~ SW ~*~

Scout looks so haunted when she steps out of the truck that Shane immediately starts planning downtime for her. She's got Anaya cuddled close, obviously needing the happy embrace.

He moves to Christopher's side and nudges the nurse.

Christopher sighs and rubs a hand over his face. "We found a burned out enclave just south of Sharpsburg. Matches what they tried on the Vatos. There were kids."

"Dammit." It's always horrific to come across child walkers, but to find ones murdered instead of falling victim to the disease or the dead has got to be gut-wrenching.

"My advice? Tuck her up with all the kids and let her remember they're all safe." His wife's best friend swallows hard. "There was a baby, maybe Christian's age, trapped in a crib. No other signs of trauma."

Damn those bastards to hell. "Any sign of how long ago?"

"Last summer, I think. One of the teenagers kept a diary and the entries end in July."

Before they would have known the danger existed, as the madman spread chaos and destruction like a cancer over the state.

"How many saw the baby?" Scout's not the only one in need of extra care after seeing that.

"Just me and her, as far as that he probably didn't die with the rest. We buried the dead there, couldn't just leave them this time."

Shane rests a hand on the nurse's shoulder. "Glenn's team isn't back yet. How about we all get sorted out at the main house? She's going to want you close, too."

It's a sign of just how raw the younger man is emotionally that he just nods and sets off for the main house.

Scout is looking at him over their oldest daughter's head, and he doesn't think he's ever seen her quite so hollow. He can't take away what she's seen, so he just wraps his arms around both of them and smushes Anaya between them.

Anaya squeaks a little, but she's always been almost preternaturally observant. She adds her own extra oomph to hugging Scout.

Tonight, they'll smother Scout and Christopher both in family, reminding them of all the ones Homestead did get to in time.

~*~ Jesus ~*~

"What is Eugene going over so intently with Brady and Ella?" Jesus asks as he sits beside Honey at supper. Logan plops down opposite him and next to Sophia and Jazz.

Hershel and Jazz have completed about half of the vet check-ups, so they're staying the night at the Kingdom.

"He and Brady have been working on accessing a software that would allow us to send emails using the ham radio system. Apparently, Ella was a programmer before."

"That explains the laptop." He's been around the computers at Homestead and even helped install a few at Hilltop. Setting up a basic network at Hilltop is part of why the former Guardsman came north with them.

"Since everyone looks happy and intense, I'm guessing they have some ideas on it."

"There really is software for that?" The amount of creativity still adaptable to their lives often amazes him.

"Yeah. Used to, it was as easy as installing some software and having a radio compatible with a computer. But whatever central server was used to register accounts is obviously gone dark, so they're working on recreating that missing piece."

"And they needed a hacker. Nice." He's only vaguely familiar with Ella from visits to the Kingdom. As far as he remembers, she's part of the agricultural workers now.

"I suspect they'll be down that rabbit hole a while." She reaches across and spears a chunk of roasted sweet potato from her brother's plate.

Jazz just pushes his plate closer. Sophia giggles and pushes her plate over too. With a smirk, Logan does the same.

"She's a bottomless pit," Jazz explains. "It's a miracle I didn't starve to death as a kid."

That sets all of the Dixons off as Jesus just grins and shakes his head. Honey snags a bite off each of their plates before pushing them back.

"Is that how you got so tall?" Logan asks. The boy is studying Honey suspiciously.

"Absolutely."

Jesus knows it's coming but can't help laughing when Logan promptly steals Honey's entire plate.

"You're tall enough."

~*~ CP ~*~

The summons interrupting the meal is not an unusual one for Carol to hear, nor is Hershel and Jazz abandoning their meals. Back home, it usually has a couple extra folks along.

But when Ezekiel asks if it would be imposing to accompany the veterinary staff, she goes along and so does Jerry. Merle, in the middle of a discussion with Ezekiel's building team, just smiles as they leave.

"This is the first birth among the cows here," Ezekiel explains. "We've had births among the goats and pigs, but not the cattle."

"You're actually a step ahead of us on that. We didn't start a breeding program for the cattle we rounded up until fall. We won't have our first calves until July."

"In all honesty, ours were already pregnant when we found them."

"Sounds like most of our foundling goats and sheep."

"Jesus indicated Hilltop inherited a flock of sheep from Homestead."

"Twenty-four females bred to a ram we already had on property and an unrelated ram lamb to start off the flock."

"And would you consider the same for us?"

"Hilltop will be giving you half of their female lambs when they're weaned in late September. We'll reserve another unrelated ram lamb to deliver here in the fall."

"Hershel indicated that it would be a good idea for trading livestock to keep the gene pool diverse."

"Based on the charts and data they collect, I'm inclined to believe the recommendation."

They've reached the barn where the laboring cow is confined. She can't see Hershel and assumes he's in the stall. Jazz is partly outside the stall, readying an odd set of chains as he listens to his mentor. One of Ezekiel's people hovers nearby.

"Calf's fully breech, son. I'm going to have you draw the feet out."

Jazz looks briefly panicked, but takes a deep breath and hands the chains to the waiting Kingdommer.

As he readies for the procedure, Carol realizes something. "He's delivered or overseen dozens of animal births at home, and this is the first time I've ever watched."

Ezekiel makes a thoughtful sound. She figures he's seen or assisted in plenty of odd medical procedures like this.

"You should feel the leg? Got it?" Hershel instructs.

"Both legs are tucked under, but we have a different problem. There's two babies in here."

Hershel takes a deep breath and pats Jazz's shoulder. "Extra work. Is the other one turned properly?"

"I think so. I can feel its nose."

"Then we'll act as if it's a single birth for now."

Jazz nods and moves slowly. "Got both feet extended."

"Alright." Jazz backs up and strips off the shoulder high gloves. As soon as the feet appear, he and Hershel get the chains attached.

"Wait until I say to start the pull," Hershel cautions. "But when you start, it's got to go as fast as possible. The umbilical cord can detach or the calf otherwise smother."

"Understood."

Everyone watches tensely as the cow labors. The calf rotates and at Hershel's signal, Jazz begins the pull.

The teenager's shoulders tense and his biceps bulge as he begins to put steady pressure on the rope. Hershel calls out instructions and encouragement as the calf begins to move.

And then the baby is out and on the stall floor.

It bawls loudly as Jazz manhandles it to free the chains.

"A heifer. That's good so far," he says.

"Why is gender important?" Carol asks.

"With twins, you hope for heifers. Mixed gender usually ends with an infertile heifer and two bull calves usually end in a too difficult delivery," Hershel explains. "We've got feet again. Looks like the twin is delivering without help."

If there's worse deliveries than one, Carol doesn't want to watch, and she's attended multiple human births.

The second calf emerges into the world, but unlike its twin, it isn't making any noise. Jazz moves quickly from his squirming first charge, using his fingers to clear the airway.

Hershel dumps cold water on the calf, attempting to shock it into breathing. When that doesn't work, Jazz begins breathing into the little creature's nostrils.

Just when Carol thinks it isn't going to work, the calf's chest shudders and it makes a weak sound. Hershel releases the mother, who begins cleaning the stronger calf. That leaves Jazz and Hershel to work on the younger twin.

"Is there anything we can do?" Ezekiel asks.

"It's just a matter of seeing if she'll accept them both. If not, you'll need to bottle feed the rejected twin. You'll also need to keep an eye out that both calves are nursing equally. The mothers aren't always good at knowing."

Hershel's explanation makes sense to Carol. Even with the sheep and goats that more commonly have twins, she knows there's been a few times they've resorted to bottle feeding or foster mothers.

"Are they both female?" It's the first time Jerry's spoken.

"Yes." Jazz backs off as the mother comes to inspect her second calf. "Now we wait to see if they nurse."

The worker brings a new bucket of water so that Hershel and Jazz can nominally clean up.

"This is your first time helping deliver calves?" Ezekiel asks.

"We had a pair of mini Jerseys before for a 4H project, but they didn't need any help. Helped with just about everything except cows and horses."

"As far as I can see, you did an excellent job with it."

The second twin is actually the first on her feet, stumbling around until she bumps into her mother and begins to nurse enthusiastically.

They all watch until the older twin finally gets with the program to nurse too, which takes nearly half an hour.

"I should probably return and spread the news of our newest arrivals," Ezekiel says at last.

"You should go back and get some more supper, Hershel," Jazz says. He's propped in the corner of the stall, just watching the mama and babies with contentment. "I can stay and make sure she clears the placenta safely."

"Alright." Hershel gathers equipment with a gentle smile for his apprentice. "Send for me if you see any complications or placenta arrive within four hours."

Carol's not sure how much of the easy agreement is Hershel's confidence in Jazz and how much is from the fact that he's getting too old for hours in a barn stall. Probably a bit of both.

"We'll make a bathroom available so that you can ahower and change," Ezekiel offers.

After bidding Jazz farewell, she accompanies the men back.

"I suspect he will spend the night in the barn," she tells the king. "We put an RV at the sheep paddocks because he sleeps down there during lambing."

"I'll arrange for a cot and sleep gear to be taken to him."

"Thank you."

"Is he your only apprentice?"

Hershel smiles. "No, just my most advanced. I have two others training currently, and one of the younger teens is expressing interest."

"Would you consider additional apprentices, should the Kingdom find likely trainees?"

"As long as I have the option to veto anyone who is not a good fit."

"If he is the most advanced, how close is he to independent work?"

Carol can see where this is going, and part of her wants to stick to the traditional eight years or more he would normally train. She also knows that many of those general education courses are no longer applicable.

"Ideally, two more years. Realistically? I expect he'll be working independently in another year and learning as he goes. With so many complexities we cannot treat, it slims down the curriculum."

"And a new apprentice?"

"Would take at least three years. Most won't begin with a several year head start on animal husbandry like Jazz and my daughter. More importantly, most don't have his drive to learn."

"I see that Carol understands my line of questioning. Georgia is a considerable distance in an emergency."

She sighs as they're nearing the dining hall. "He is only fifteen."

Ezekiel actually stumbles, but recovers quickly. "My apologies. I assumed Honey to be the younger sibling."

"It's a common enough mix-up with them." Carol made the same mistake herself initially. "But as much as I hate the idea that he's going to leave home sooner rather than later, it's not beyond consideration that he'll spend time at other communities long before what used to be considered adulthood."

It's a reality she and Merle have discussed. Honey is too mature for her age, and it will be a continued theme among many families. Technically, Miguel is even younger than Jazz and is already set on an apprenticeship at Hilltop.

"We will just have to look after our young people that need to leave the nest early," she adds.

"I can assure you that anyone sent to my domain for training will be treated as if they are my own family."

She believes Ezekiel there, as she sees in him a kindred spirit. Being away from home doesn't mean they can't have a foster family. It'll be what they all have to trust each other with.

~*~ Jesus ~*~

Jesus can see the cot set up for Jazz just outside the stall, but no sign of the young man himself. He peers into the stall and sees him using a bale of hay as a seat in one corner.

"The babies are pretty damned adorable," he says, unlatching the door to let himself inside. He passes Jazz the thermos. "Peppermint tea."

"Mama fretting about me being out of sight in a strange place?" Jazz pours some of the tea into the lid-cup. After a few drinks, he offers some to Jesus, who accepts before passing the cup back.

"I suspect she's just better at hiding the concern at home. Thought she was going to have a stroke when you were working with the tiger."

"That was probably one of the most amazing things I've ever done. Her fur is so soft."

"And then you follow it up with baby cows. I'd say that's a pretty good day."

"Yeah. Twins don't always have a happy ending, even with my lambs and ewes are built for it better."

Jazz puts down the thermos and fumbles his phone-turned-music player out of his pocket. Instead of playing music, as has become habit, he just stares at it for a minute.

"We're here two more days, then one at Hilltop before we go home. I'm going to miss this."

The earnest blue eyes contrasting against his dark caramel skin and black hair reminds him of his initial impression that despite his sheer size, Jazz is too pretty for his own good. It also reminds him that Carol was right that there's a path here not yet taken.

But being mindful of Jazz's age doesn't mean he can't be honest. "Same here." He's going to miss all of them fiercely. "I'll try to come down again soon."

It gets him a crooked smile. "Good. Maybe Honey will have her cabin built so you don't have to bunk in with the kids."

"I didn't mind that part."

"Honey worries you're lonely at Hilltop."

"I am, sometimes. But I have Enid and Olivia now, when I'm not out and about."

Enid sees him as a sympathetic adult and Olivia, that's just one lost soul appealing to another. He suspects her no-strings relationship with Bryce is going to leave her a little adrift when they go back to their normal lives.

"Maybe Eugene will get his email project solved. Then it won't take so much radio risk just to stay in touch, if you want."

"Considering the things I once thought impossible that are being recreated, I've no doubt they'll sort it out."

Jazz's expression closes off just enough to make him realize he didn't answer the not quite question.

He reaches over and twines his fingers with Jazz's where the young man's hand rests on his knee. "Jasper, I will welcome any correspondence we can manage, as your friend."

Jazz turns away to stare at the mother and calves, sparing Jesus from the intensity of his gaze. He squeezes Jesus's hand, but doesn't let go.

"Who told you?"

He doesn't even pretend to not understand. "Carol. Not directly, but more pointing out signs I might have missed."

"I'm sorry."

'Don't be. She was very nice about it, especially noting it isn't one-sided. I was just cautioned, not discouraged."

That startles Jazz into looking at him again. There's a hope blooming in his expression that reminds Jesus how careful Jazz has been to hide his crush.

"Our age difference will mean less in a couple of years. We can be patient."

"Paul, that's not fair to ask of you."

It's then that he realizes it isn't shyness that's led Jazz to keep his crush under wraps. Young as he is, he recognizes that expressing anything between them means a long and patient wait.

"Even when you're eighteen, people will not accept us as easily as they do your sisters' relationships having age gaps."

"Maybe that will change in this world."

He's hopeful that it will in some places, but not all. He rubs his thumb against the warm skin on the back of Jazz's hand. "I can wait, as long as you promise me you'll let it go if it's too hard."

Limited communication and living so far apart makes this unlikely.

"Only if you promise the same." Jesus nods. "Just how big is the age gap?"

Jesus laughs and for once, enjoys his youth. The realization that he was a college student leads to questions about his time on campus. By the time Jazz deems his charges safe enough for the night, Jesus is feeling hopeful this might actually work.

He leaves the younger male getting settled on his cot.

Despite one part of his brain drumming the reminder that two years is a long time in their current world, he can help but grin like an idiot.

He's always been good at waiting for anything he truly wants.