A/N: So, this is my new story. It's a multichapter AU fic where Danny has three sisters. My aim is to write three separate stories based on all of them. But at the moment I only have Jess and Keeley's stories. I'm hoping when I finish their stories, Simone's will come to me. As always, I'm not doctor, scientist or soldier, everything is completely made up.
I hope you all enjoy and please review and let me know your thoughts ️(ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ *heart emoji*
Late July,
Jessica Morley quietly slipped into the conference room and kept to the back of room as the base commander Colonel Gering talked about the coming weeks to the department heads.
Normally her workday involved interrogating detainees and hearing their disdain for American Imperialism and the substandard accommodations in Gitmo.
But last week, all that changed when the 'bad flu' season turned into a full blown pandemic where people were dying en masse. So far, the News and Government bodies on TVs were downplaying it. Yes, they finally disclosed that the virus was deadly but lied and said infection cases were contained and quarantined. That the hospitals were coping with the larger load of patients. All the population needed to do was stay calm and follow the health mandates. It wasn't working, as greed, personal politics and idiots refused to sacrifice their 'freedom' to protect their communities.
"When are we packing this up, Sir?" Major Trentham asked, they were incredibly aware that the world was going to hell. They all wanted to go home and be with their families. To try and do something to save them even though they knew there was no hope of salvation.
"We're not." Gering told them.
"What?!" Bobby exclaimed incredulously, as the rest of the room exploded in the same sentiment. They argued about fairness and how they were American citizens who had a right to return home.
Jess remained silent as she watched. She was just as desperate to get home but there was no choice in duty for the people like her and the military on the base. The private contractors however did have a choice, it just meant forfeiting future contracts and paying large fines for breaking current agreements with the military. Something their bosses in America refused to do.
"Listen." Gering started but everyone was shouting over one another. "LISTEN!" he boomed, the room settled down as Gering took control of the room. "I know you all want to go home. So do I. But we have our orders. Right now, the base is the safest place we can be."
"I don't give a shit about being safe, I got guys with families who need them back home." Bobby told him. Jess immediately thought of Tex's daughter Kat. She had already called Claire for him as he like Bobby's men were in lockdown in Section 7. Bobby was allowed out only for the meeting but after today, he'd be stuck in lockdown with his men until the military decided it was safe.
She and Claire had a long conversation as Jess had to explain why Tex hadn't called and why Claire had to take the virus seriously. Luckily, after an hour Claire came around and gave Jess a phone number and address to a farm in Jackson. Claire promised she'd take Kat to and wait for Tex and her to come to them. Jess just wished convincing her family to do the same could be so easy.
"We all do, but we can't just get up and leave. We need to maintain base security." Gering said.
"The military could send more people to relieve the civilian contractors." Bobby said.
"You all signed contracts, you know what will happen if your men breach it." Gering warned him, Jess felt like this was just the beginning. As things got worse at home, it would be harder to maintain order on the base.
"We honour our agreements but some concessions need to be made." Bobby said.
"I can discuss it next time I'm in contact with home. For now, I want everyone to limit their movements outside the base. We don't want to go into a lockdown if we can help it. Dr Fuller is going to tell us what to expect." He told them he stepped out of the way as Dr Fuller stepped forward.
"Hello everyone, I'll cut straight to the point. We all know this virus is dangerous and needs to be taken seriously. We need you all to be vigilant, the virus is transmitted through touching contaminated surfaces and infected persons. As such, we need you all to avoid any unnecessary body contact, wash your hands regularly, and do your best not to touch your faces." Dr Fuller said, some people in the room dropped their hands and stuck them into their pockets or casually folded their arms. Dr Fuller's lips wore a slight smirk before she continued, "Stringent cleaning protocols will need to be put into place in your work stations. This is to keep you and your colleagues safe." she told them.
"What about face masks?" Jess asked her.
"They don't do shit, we need full hazmat. When are we going to get more PPE in?" Major Trentham asked Gering.
"Soon." Gering said.
"Right now there are no cases of infection in Cuba yet. That doesn't mean it won't come here which is why the hospital and our staff are preparing for when it does." Dr Fuller warned them.
"What are the symptoms?" Jess asked her.
"It starts out much like a cold. Fever, cough and fatigue. Then lesions will develop and trouble breathing, delirium. It just goes downhill from there. If you have any of the first signs of fever, cough or fatigue, self isolate in your lodgings immediately and call the hospital. We don't need it spreading in the compound or in the detainee population. So, if you get sick, don't tough it out, report it, isolate and wait for test results." Dr Fuller told them.
"I'd like to add that if you show symptoms and isolate immediately for testing, you will not lose a day's pay. I want people to be vigilant. We all remember when we had the SARS outbreak back in '08', we don't want a repeat." Gering told them, many of the older workers in the room nodded as they remembered it.
"So, what you're saying is, we don't have the resources or staff to handle an outbreak on a large scale. So, don't be that asshole who gets the rest of us sick. Don't let our subordinates be that asshole either." Bobby said.
"Exactly." Gering said, the meeting went on for another 20 minutes before they were all dismissed.
"Can you believe this?" Bobby asked Jess as he fell into step with her as they all left the room and headed outside. It was a muggy day as they predicted some storms for later in the afternoon. The clouds in the sky looked dark and foreboding.
"I can. I got in contact with most of Section 7's families. Frank's family died from the virus yesterday. Andre's family refuses to leave New York. They most likely won't survive the month given the riots and lack of resources." Jess said.
"Damn." Bobby sighed, he scrubbed a hand down his face. Jess gave the good news about the other families including his. He gave a sad smile.
"I wish I could give you more good news but it's bleak." Jess said.
"What about your family?" he asked.
"Well, you got my husband locked up in Section 7, so at least I know he'll be safe." Jess said in amusement.
"Tex is already driving me crazy." Bobby sighed.
"I wish I could help but my hands are tied." Jess told him, Tex did not like being confined in spaces like escape rooms, trains, boats and planes. He endured them with his usual charm as he knew there was a time he'd be free. But with this lockdown, no phones allowed, no end date in sight. Jess could only imagine how he was feeling especially knowing everyone he loved was on the outside.
"He's worried about you being out here along with Kat and Claire. You know, I could look the other way and let you live with us all." Bobby offered, Jess chuckled and shook her head.
"My boss won't like me disappearing into Section 7. I have a lot of work I need to get back to." Jess told him.
"You didn't tell me about your family? Tex wants to know." Bobby said.
"Here I thought you were his boss." Jess teased.
"Ha-ha." Bobby said.
"Simone is MIA in Russia, I asked a friend to look into it as they are over there. But I'm not expecting any miracles and my parents refuse to leave Baltimore while Keeley is in the hospital. Danny is off on a mission in some undisclosed location." Jess said with a vague wave of her hand as she didn't know any of the details. Just that he was out at sea.
"Navy Seal, right?" Bobby asked.
"Yeah, the pride and joy of the family." Jess remarked dryly, Bobby smiled at her tone but then for years he used to joke that she was hatched.
"I should get back to Section 7." Bobby told her.
"Tell Tex-"
"I know what to tell him. You like totally love him and to only think of you when he uses his hand to 'tame' himself." Bobby drawled in ultra feminine voice and pretended to twirl hair he did not have like he were teenage girl.
"Bobby!" Jess exclaimed, she chuckled and shook her head at him.
"What? I've seen the text messages you two write to one another. It's lucky neither of you plan to be politicians. The scandal!" he told her, Jess laughed while he smiled, "Stay safe, Morley." Bobby said in a serious tone. She nodded.
"I will, see you on the other side." Jess told him, they both waved at one another before he turned his back to her and walked away. She wondered if it would be the last time she saw him, she hoped not. Her iPhone toned as yet another email hit her phone. She sighed as she had a long day of work ahead of her.