Chapter 15: Science gone wrong

Andy glanced at the thermostat and noticed it was at a normal temperature. She wondered why she kept shivering, her teeth even starting to chatter. She pulled her lab coat tight around her trying to warm up.

"Are you alright?" A man asked in concern from the doorway.

She looked up at him and found her eyes struggling to focus. "Not sure.."

"Can I?" He extended his arms toward her.

She nodded.

He wrapped his arms around her.

She suddenly felt a bit warmer. She pulled out a thermometer from her pocket and took her temperature. She frowned when she realized it was way too low.

The man touched her forehead. "You're like a freezer. This isn't normal for you, is it?"

She shook her head before trying to think, "Do you think Tet would care if I brought someone here? He's a nurse."

"Are you kidding? He's constantly complaining when you're gone that we have to heal ourselves." The man laughed softly, then swayed. His eyes unfocused for a moment, then returned to normal.

"Why don't you sit down?"

"Good idea. It's worse than usual today for some reason." He sat down carefully, wiping his face.

"What's wrong and how can I help?"

"My body temp runs warm normally. Sometimes I overheat though. In the fridge, there are vials marked 'Nori'. I need to inject one before my temperature reaches 106 or it won't work." He was starting to breathe hard as he sweated heavily.

She got one quickly and injected it in his arm.

His breathing slowed and he closed his eyes briefly. "Thanks. Sorry about that."

"It's alright," she gave him a small smile before calling one of her contacts. By the time she was off the phone, she was shivering again.

"Come here." Nori stood and wrapped his arms around her again. "Guess I'm finally useful."

She chuckled, "I'm Andy, by the way. Nice to meet you."

"Tet talks about you non stop. Nice to meet you too, though if I had known you needed a bearskin cover I would have shifted first."

She laughed softly, her body warming again.

Soon, the medbay doors opened and a short, androgynous person entered.

"Thanks for coming, Akasa," Andy smiled.

"Not like I was busy today. I owe you anyway," the person answered.

Andy gently pulled away from Nori and moved to sit on a bed.

Akasa began running tests on her, taking her temperature every few minutes. "Your body isn't regulating temperature anymore. You've become like a reptile basically."

Her eyes narrowed, "I was at Section Z.. who knows what they did to me."

"Well, we need to figure out how to regulate it or you're going to keep having issues."

She shivered again and looked over at Nori. "How do you know how to shift?"

He frowned, then answered "I just see myself do it."

She looked thoughtful, then closed her eyes. Akasa continued to look through the test results as Andy suddenly shifted into a snake. She opened her eyes again and looked around the room as if seeing everything differently.

Nori whistled. "I'd say congratulations, but pretty sure you didn't want this."

She shifted back, swaying slightly. "Okay.. so if we can't figure this out, I get to live in a tank with heat lamps.."

Nori winced and looked away.

"Don't worry, we'll come up with something," Akasa assured. Test after test after test made the hours pass quickly.

"It's getting late.." Andy assessed.

"The system is analyzing a medicine to treat you but it's estimated to take another few hours."

"Why don't we get you a room?" Andy stood, a blanket wrapped around her almost like a cloak. She glanced ar Nori, "Thanks for staying, but I'm sure you have other stuff to be doing. I'll get out some electric blankets so I don't freeze to death."

"It wasn't a problem. After all, you saved me from overheating." He pushed himself up from the chair. "Apart from my room and the morgue, this is the coolest place here." He yawned widely. "Makes me sleepy." He gave her an embarrassed smile.

She chuckled, "Go get some sleep."

He gave her a salute, then disappeared out the door.

She got out some of the electric blankets and plugged them into the wall. She rested on one of the medbay beds, waiting to hear when the computer finished its job. XD

She soon started crying as the situation hit her. Even if they could fix her temperature problems, she was a shifter now. They'd changed her and she'd never be the same again.

Two pairs of arms wrapped themselves around her.

She wiped at her eyes and looked around to see who was there.

Tet and Kiba were both hugging her tightly, one on either side of her.

She sniffled slightly, "Thanks.. I'll be okay."

"Are you saying you don't like us hugging you?" Kiba teased quietly.

She laughed a bit, "I do like the hugs." She relaxed slightly in their arms.

Tet spoke softly. "Fozzie Bear told us what happened. I'm sorry we couldn't protect you."

She shook her head, "It's not your job to protect me." She closed her eyes, "I guess there's worse things that could happen."

"Let's not go there." Kiba murmured. "And we love you, so we want to protect you."

"I love you guys too."

Both of them gave her matching cheek kisses.

She was thoughtful for a moment, "Do either of you know about snakes? I should probably do some research.. but I'm wondering what kind I am.."

Kiba looked at Tet. "Should I call him?"

Tet exhaled slowly. "See if he picks up. If he's willing, he can come here or we'll go there."

"Who?" Andy raised an eyebrow.

"Someone who can give you answers.. If he's calmed down." Tet released her as Kiba reached for his phone.

Andy rewrapped the blankets around herself, glancing over at the screen to see the progress.

Kiba held a quiet conversation, then hung up and looked at them. "He'll be here in a hour."

Tet nodded slowly. "So he's not mad anymore?"

Kiba sighed. "He says he's come to terms with things in the last few years. He was actually worried you were. That's why he stayed away."

Tet facepalmed. "I'm surrounded by idiots.."

Kiba laughed. "Didn't you know we are a union now? And this is our headquarters?"

Tet gave Andy a pleading look. "Save me?"

She laughed, "Pretty sure you're the leader here. Head of the idiots?" She stuck her tongue out.

"Hey! Why you.." He began to tickle her as Kiba watched.

She giggled in response.

After a few minutes, Tet stopped and kissed her hard.

She returned it, deepening the kiss.

"My turn. Quit hogging." Kiba complained.

When they pulled apart, Andy laughed. "Come here then."

He eagerly went to her side, kissing her deeply.

After they parted, she took a moment to catch her breath.

Kiba grinned. "Too much?"

She shook her head and smiled.

A soft knock sounded on the doorjamb. "Am I interrupting?"

"Not at all."

"You're early." Tet answered. "Come to punch me again?"

"Have you done anything needing a punch?" The visitor raised an eyebrow, his voice amused.

"Just wait. He will eventually." Kiba chuckled.

Andy watched them quietly.

The visitor made eye contact with her. "You're the one they turned?"

She nodded slowly.

"Can you show me? Or is it too upsetting?" His voice was soft, his eyes compassionate.

She moved the blankets off before focusing. A moment later, a snake was there watching him.

Tet and Kiba gave small gasps as he approached slowly and caressed her scales.

"A mamba, huh? Section Z are idiots for doing this to one of us." He moved back. "You can revert, if you wish."

She looked at Tet and Kiba, her tongue flicking slightly before she reverted and looked back at the man.

"Are you alright?" He didn't flinch from her gaze.

She nodded, "Just feels a little weird. Guess I'll get used to it."

He shrugged. "At least you're not hysterical. Makes it somewhat easier."

She chuckled slightly.

"I guess I'll go now." He sighed and turned to leave.

"You don't have to," she said softly.

"I'm not mad, Shouma. Please don't go yet. I'm sorry for what I said and did." Tet gently laid a hand on the man's shoulder.

"You had a right to be angry."

"Not that angry. It wasn't your fault and I know that now. You refused to talk to me though, so I could never apologize. Don't leave yet. I'm sure she has a million questions and you're the only one who can answer them."

Shouma finally nodded slowly. "Alright. But someone needs to turn the damn heat up or we need to find a warmer room."

"Want a heated blanket?" She offered. "They're pretty decent."

He gave her a grateful smile and moved to her side. His hand was ice cold as he accepted the other blanket from her.

The computer made a noise and Andy got up a moment to look at it. She printed out the medicine recipe it formulated and sat back down, reading it over.

"What is that?" Shouma read over her shoulder.

"When they turned me, it screwed up my body so I can't regulate heat.. this medicine should help, though I'll probably have to take it once or twice daily."

He froze, his eyes going wide. "You found something to fix it?"

"I mean, it's not a fix exactly but it should help."

He looked away, pulling the blanket tighter around him. "I hope it does. You shouldn't have to freeze all the time."

She looked at him carefully, "Would this medicine help you too? I can make you some?"

"Don't worry about me. Take care of yourself." He moved to another bed, lying down. "Mind if I nap?"

"I'm a doctor, it's my job to help others."

Tet's eyes narrowed. He laid a hand on Shouma's cheek, then recoiled. "He's not getting warmer..I think he's actually getting colder!"

Shouma smacked his hand away in aggravation. "Keep your hands to yourself." He looked at Andy, withdrawing a small notebook from his jacket and extending it to her. "I put this together for you. I included poison info cause I figured you were like me in that respect."

"Thanks." She took it and then held a hand out to scan him over.

His heart was pumping harder than usual, the blood not circulating as fast as it should have been. His temperature was dropping slowly, hence the sleepiness.

"I'm fine.. Just need to sleep." He tried to give her a reassuring smile.

Andy shook her head and went to make the medicine. It took a few minutes but she came back to his side with a couple syringes. She injected him with one and her with the other, then scanned him over again to watch for any changes.

It was slow, but his blood began moving faster. His heart slowed to an acceptable rate and his temperature began to rise.

"What's wrong with him?" Tet anxiously watched the now unconscious Shouma.

"He's getting better. Think he has the same problem I do."

"Is that what will happen to you?" Kiba asked, his voice frightened.

"It could," she sighed. "But hopefully the medicine will work and keep working."

"We've got to meet a contact. Take care of both you and him, okay?" Tet kissed her softly.

She nodded, "Alright."

They left quietly. A few minutes later, Shouma's eyes fluttered open.

"Hey. Feeling better?"

"Surprisingly. What happened? Felt like when I eat while shifted and have to sleep afterwards."

"The low temperature was shutting your body down."

"Never had that happen before. Wonder if it's progressive?"

"It could be," she sighed. "The medicine helped though, so I'll make more you can take with you."

He flinched, then broke eye contact. "Yeah. Thanks."

She frowned, "Unless you want to stay?"

"Doubt anyone wants me around. So I'll go as soon as you're done."

"You can stay," she smiled. "I'll get you a room."

He shook his head. "You're not leader. But thanks for the offer."

"Technically Tet did make me the leader once. I've just kinda let him take back over," she chuckled. "But I have enough pull around here to offer a room."

"What do you mean, he made you leader?" Shouma shot up in surprise. "Is he alright?"

"He wasn't alright at the time, so he was trying to make sure things were in order.. but I've helped him and he's better now."

"Oh..Sorry for freaking. Just scared me." He fidgeted with the blanket.

"I'm pretty good at keeping everyone alive and decently healthy at least, so try to not worry."

"Hard not to when someone's family. Real family, I mean." He turned red. "Though Tet probably still doesn't want to claim me anymore."

"I'm sure he cares about you too. And don't worry, if he does die for some reason, I can bring him back."

"Huh?"

She chuckled, "I'm a necromancer."

"A what?"

"I can raise the dead."

"I thought you were a doctor?"

She sighed, "Raised as a witch. Also a necromancer. My family was killed and I hid in the human world. I then became a doctor."

"Sounds like me. Without the whole witch doctor thing." He shrugged, then looked up as Kona entered.

"Mom? Heard you were sick or something?"

"I'm doing alright now," she smiled before sighing, "Turns out Z made me a shifter.."

Kona wrapped her in his arms. "I'm sorry."

She hugged back, "It's alright. Now I can poison their asses, so that's a positive."

The teen cracked up for a moment, then eyed Shouma. "Why is he staring at me?"

She shrugged, "That's Shouma. He's a new friend."

"Makoto? Is that really you?" Shouma's face was disbelieving.

Andy frowned and glanced at Kona, "Well, you did say you didn't know your real name right? Maybe he knows something?"

Kona backed away, shaking his head. Then he turned and bolted from the room.

Shouma froze. "I'm sorry!"

She shook her head and sighed, "From what I know, he said he doesn't remember his real name, but people called him Kona. He was in Z's hands when I found him and I took him in."

"He looks like someone who disappeared when our clan was attacked.. I shouldn't have said anything." Shouma quickly stood, folding the blanket neatly. "I should go before I cause more trouble."

"You aren't going to cause trouble. But I can't force you to stay. I think you should though, and I can still get you a room. " she said softly. "He needs some time, but I'll check on him soon. He'll be okay."

"I'm scared.." He stood trembling, his hands clutching at the bed. "I haven't been out of my apartment in years."

"Everything will be okay. Do you want a hug?"

He gave a small nod.

She wrapped her arms around him tightly.

He clung to her, his body shaking. "I don't want to be alone anymore.."

"You're not alone. You have me, and Tet, and the rest of us."

He held on for a moment more before his hands loosened.

She gave him a soft smile, "Let's get you a room."

He didn't answer, his head resting on her shoulder.

She stayed there for a while, just letting him relax.

His knees began to buckle the same time he went completely limp.

She caught him and carried him to an empty room, laying him in the bed before going to search for Kona.

The teen huddled in the attic crawlspace, holding his head tightly as tears streamed down his cheeks.

"Hey, hun," she said quietly, wrapping arms around him. "Everything will be alright."

"Shouma...he's my older brother."

"Okay. Are you not happy to have found him?"

"I don't know..I was resigned to never knowing, now everything's coming back at once and my head hurts so bad…"

She pushed energy into his head to help ease the pain, "This should help a bit. I think it's good for you to have found him. You have some real family now."

"You're my family!" He grabbed on to her. "I don't want to leave you!"

"You won't have to ever leave me, okay? You might have more family now, but you aren't losing me. Your family just got bigger." She said softly. "I'll always be here for you."

"He won't take me away?"

"He's staying here now too, okay? He's not taking you anywhere."

Kona quieted at that. "Is he mad?"

"No, hun. He's upset at himself and thinks he messed up by saying something. I've talked to him and he's asleep now."

"Okay…" He looked at her. "Can we get ice cream?"

"Of course," she smiled.