A/N: The information about the green flu is what I found online. Any movies, bands and song lyrics mentioned throughout this story are not mine either. Just to put a little disclaimer there. As the story progresses there maybe a pinch of OOC-ness as a warning. Not too much. There will also be character development for Francis as well during this journey.

Also thank you for the favorites, follows and reviews so far! I appreciate it very much and I hope you continue to enjoy this story. So far I'm having a lots of fun with it!

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"Hold up. You're a father?!" Louis exclaimed, after recovering from a long pause of shocked silence, much like Bill and Zoey had.

"No. I'm not their dad. I didn't raise them on my own..." Francis sighed and rubbed his face. "It's a long story. A long, sad story."

"What happened?" Zoey asked in peaked curiosity. Bill just listened, too stunned to say anything.

Francis cast his eyes down and swallowed. "I went to high school with their parents. Where all of us met. Our friendships started out slow because we were so different from each other. Though we just eventually began to warm up with one another and started hanging out and talk. During three out of four years in high school, we had most classes together which helped in getting to know one another better until we became best friends. The three of us got into so many escapades and trouble, went out a lot like to bars and bonfires." Francis explained, as he could see the past running through his mind.

Bill nodded, and he continued. "I started growing feelings for their mother. She's such a kind, beautiful soul. You would know that immediately if you met her. She's the most wonderful woman I'll ever know. Always there for others, always smiling, and has lived through so much awful shit it's unbelievable. She's a soldier, I'll tell you that." He huffed.

"I never made the first move or said anything. I mean, I was gonna, but then I heard she wasn't into men like me. She didn't say that to me directly I overheard her in the halls one day."

"Oh." Louis and Zoey both muttered.

"Yeah I was a little saddened 'bout it, I still liked her but that was ok. She found someone else. That someone was their dad. Remember when I said we were best friends?"

"Yeah?" Bill replied.

"Ok I'm still friends with their mom, but after we graduated, their dad, he became someone else..." Francis' voice trailed off, his expression hardened at the memories before he took another breath. "They eventually had Kayla. Soon afterwards he was suddenly a Goddamn asshole. I'm not gonna go into the personal details but I'll just say they argued alot," he began holding his fingers up. "He stole from her, cheated on her…" he stopped, as his mind sunk back into darker times.

"What a fucking dick!" Zoey sneered as Bill shook his head, brow furrowed and arms crossed. "I don't know why people think it's ok to do that to each other…" Louis sighed.

Francis bit his lip. "I don't want to say what-"

"You don't have to," Bill reminded.

"Well, I'll say he did something really bad one night. Their aunt called the cops, but he took off and they couldn't find him for a while. I don't exactly remember everything what happened afterwards but when he came back, things were kinda-sorta alright for a while. Sometime later, I'm getting the news she was pregnant with Bethany."

Zoey's arms dropped to her sides, "even after whatever happened?"

"Mm-hm."

"What the hell." Bill shook his head again.

"She thought they were ok again. We all did. But we were wrong. He abandoned all of them before Beth was even born. Kayla was barely a year old."

Francis shifted on the spot. "She got alot of support from her family. Her parents and sister especially. So, being one of her best friends, I decided I would too. I supported her as much as I could and what do ya know? I end up helping her raise them. I hated it at first because I hate kids and babies-"

"But you love them since and now." Zoey added for him. Francis nodded in strong agreement.

"I sucked it up and did what I did. Hell, I even helped with paying for their college and deal with that shitty fafsa crap." He finished his sentence.

"Oh God fafsa." Zoey groaned. "I feel your pain."

"So, you're their stepdad then?" Louis guessed.

"Actually no. I was still a teenager when this all started for me, so I was referred as a big brother. Still am. And when I became of age to drink, when I wasn't at their home I was at the bars half the time with my gang. Or out riding the bikes I had, or hanging out with other friends and working. I stayed away when I was drunk because I can be a dick at times. Other than that...everything was fine."

"That's good," Bill commented.

Francis cleared his throat. "Sometimes I thought it wasn't going to be. Because I wasn't much of a brother to my own two brothers. And my dad's a prick. A real mean prick. I was always afraid I would be like him if I ever had my own kid. He's real abusive. But no," he shrugged his shoulders with lips pursed. "I guess I proved to myself I'm not."

"Alright, alright, let me stop you there for a sec." Louis smiled, holding a hand up and grabbing their attentions. "Francis, you can be an asshole, you really can be. But you ain't abusive. And I don't think you ever will be. You and your father may be family but you're two different people. You build your own path to who you become."

The biker blinked at his words. Then, he felt a light smile slowly grow on his face. "Thanks bro."

Louis nodded.

He rubbed his arm and took a moment to collect himself. "Um," a breath. "Anyway, their mother met another man several years later. He…" Anger suddenly filled his voice. "He was a monster."

The three were now completely silent.

"I'm definitely not going in details with this." Francis waved his hands at chest level. He looked angry and disturbed, but kept his voice calm. "For the longest time, all he did was hurt them. Did the worst things imaginable...much worse than what their real father did. I had them at my house with their animals for days at a time. I fought him numerous times to protect her and those kids. It was just..." He put his face in his hand. "It was horrific."

"Why didn't you just take the place then? Instead of going back and forth?" Zoey asked. Francis shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "I-I don't know." He replied quietly in a breathy tone, a hint of guilt. "It got to the point where Kayla grew and still has bad, bad trust issues. Sometimes I felt she forgot she can trust me. She hates being touched." He closed his mouth and eyes.

"Well that hug said otherwise," Bill said to the last sentence.

The biker opened his eyes and nodded. "It finally ended recently. Before this apocalypse I mean. I think Beth healed a little better than Kayla did. But she gets real angry at the mention of his name. Also the answer to your questions of why Kayla won't warm up to you for a while. Unless you can prove to her she can honest to God trust you. On the bright side though, she may not like being touched, but, she does like head rubs." He said with another shrug of the shoulder. "And tolerates hugs."

The trio chuckled.

Francis sighed. "Kayla and Beth have never once in their lives seen their biological father. Or heard his voice. He just left their mother, wondering what she did wrong. When she hadn't done anything. He did even more dumb shit so I've heard over the years; but she didn't keep 'em away from him. She tried to include him in their lives. We both tried. He just didn't come back...it's better off that way. They know what happened and never asked about him, or want anything to do with the asshat either. They've done good and grown strong without him. This isn't everything with what happened but it gives you an idea. May sound harsh to hear, but it's safe to say both of those 'men' are dead now." He motioned quote fingers around the word men.

"Aw Francis," Zoey adored. He didn't hear her.

"...No one deserves them. Not even me." Francis concluded.

All three watched him in silence, as he slightly bowed his head.

…

"So you mean during all the abandonment and hurt, Francis was the one who pretty much subconsciously adopted you as his own?" Ian specified while pointing a finger towards the bedroom door.

"Pretty much." Beth nodded. Keirstan's jaw was slacked. She has been true friends with the two for many, many years and knew a lot about them. But did not know everything about the dark past they had survived. Although whenever she heard any part of their story, she felt awful. Absolutely awful for what they had endured. At least both were alright now. They have someone, even if they weren't his blood. He loves and protects them when no other man did. She was very glad they got a happy ending after all.

"Wow guys. I-I didn't know that much."

"Yeah. Good Lord," Amber muttered. She gazed at Kayla who was sitting by Jordan. "Now I know the origins to your personality," she stated. The oldest of the young bunch cocked her head and squinted an eye as they laughed warmly together.

"He may look rough. He may have lots of tattoos but guys, you can trust him." Beth assured everyone.

"Good to know." Ian nodded confidently.

Kayla leaned on her side as Jordan spoke up next. "It still hurts to hear the story hun." He slapped Kayla's foot away when she slowly lifted it to poke the side of his head with her toe. "You all deserved so much better than what you lived through. As we can see it didn't beat you. Though it's important to never let your past become your anger. Or define you, but to use what you've learned from it."

Kayla poked his head again. He sighed deeply, "even if you're a pain in the ass." He gave her a side glare.

When hearing the last part, a tongue blep occurred.

"You both are tough that's for sure. It's like the same thing with your fears. Don't ever let anyone use them against you. Make your fears as your advantages and they'll have nothing to beat you with. If that makes since with what we're talking about." Keirstan said.

"That makes perfect sense. Thanks you guys." Beth smiled as Jordan reached and gently pulled her over to him. She sat on his lap and kissed her head, resting his arms around her waist. "As a reminder, we won't ever abandon you guys. Ever. We all love you and we're family, even after the end!" Amber smiled as Ian grinned.

"That's right," Keirstan nodded, also smiling softly.

Kayla thoughtfully took in all what everyone was saying. It warmed her heart, even though she didn't know what to say. So, she poked Jordan's head once more, resulting in him snapping at her with the most intense look in the history of intense looks.

"WILL YOU CUT THE SHIT?!"

"Shh Jordan. You'll attract something." She calmly put a finger to her lips.

"Way to ruin the moment." Amber half-closed her eyes as Keirstan just laughed.

…

Bill carefully pulled dark curtains apart to look outside. From what he could tell, there wasn't any infected aside from a single common who wandered around aimlessly from across the street. It stopped to stare up at the moon. He withdrew the curtains and walked away, all the while hearing the kids upstairs laughing about something. Louis was busy investigating if the flat screen TV still worked as Francis and Zoey stood side-by-side against a counter downing cups of water. The college student swallowed while gazing at the floor. "That was one hell of a life story."

"Hell of a time living it."

She turned to him, eyes looking him over before meeting with his. "Well," she quietly began "you're the better man. You didn't leave."

"I will never abandon them." He cast his eyes towards the living room. "Long as I'm breathing, I'll fight to keep 'em safe."

"You did a wonderful job. They're beautiful."

"Thanks Zo."

They stood in silence. Zoey softly smiled at him again until noises from the TV broke the quiet. "Yes! It works!" Louis cheered, only to have Bill swat his hand at the air and loudly shush him. So the analyst rushed for the remote to turn the volume down with a deep, gaping frown and worried eyes. "I'm not sleeping in these beds until the sheets are replaced," Keirstan's voice wafted down the stairs. "God knows what's in them." The rest of the group soon stampeded down the stairs, as the biker and college student entered the living room to see Bill helping Louis rearranging some furniture to settle down on. "Got the TV going!" Louis announced.

"We heard."

"Hey, is the water still working?" Beth asked.

"Yup! Still is." Zoey replied. "I checked."

"Awe thank God, I'm taking a shower!" Beth exclaimed. "I shall join you!" Jordan shouted in glee, as both rampaged for the staircase. "Wait you guys are dating or something?" Louis guessed, pointing at the two. "Happily," Jordan answered with pride. He gazed over at Kayla when he caught her staring right as Francis did, and she squinted her eyes. Jordan returned the look before they vanished up the steps; "how long have they been together?" Francis asked, pointing a thumb over his shoulder.

"A year."

"Oh!"

"Yeah."

"How do you feel about that?"

Kayla shrugged. "I'm perfectly fine with it, I just like being a nuisance." He smirked, "something you're a master of."

"I'm a Goddess." She corrected, placing a hand on her chest.

...

For the next while, the survivors went on a scavenger hunt around the house for supplies to take and worked on fixing and cleaning themselves. The washing and drying machines still worked, so they searched through the clothes hanging in closets and dressers while their own were being washed; and picked a new outfit for each. All the girls took tomboyish clothing; there were even clothes in Francis' size luckily. They put on some comfortable wear for the night and each waited for a turn to shower. Waiting for the next person to get their asses out, though some took far too Goddamn painfully long. Especially Louis. Who was yell-moaning obnoxiously loud and leaning back against the shower wall, with his head hung back and arms spread out on some shower railings. The hot water hit his body and steam heavily engulfed the whole bathroom to the point where inside could barely be seen. He was very suddenly startled, and even screamed sharply when violent beating came from the door.

"Will you fucking hurry up and stop wasting the hot water? Have yourself a solo porno another night I can hear ya from down the damn hall!" A grouchy Bill's voice boomed from the other side. Steam was leaking out around where the veteran stood from underneath. Louis hollered something but he couldn't understand what. For some reason he sounded far away, it also sounded like panicked gibberish.

"Oh my GOD! Whoever's house this was had kickass taste in music!" Amber shrilled. She excitedly scanned through albums, holding them way too close to her face. Breaking Benjamin, Disturbed, Muse, Slaves, Five Finger Death Punch, Starset, Red, Bad Wolves, Imagine Dragons, Avenged Sevenfold, Fall Out Boy and many more were part of the previous owner's collection. Ranging from each band's oldest and newest albums. Including a band called Midnight Riders. Whoever they were. She observed the case curiously, and flipped it over to read the list of songs. In the background, everyone was doing their own thing. Jordan was chasing Beth around from the second floor causing them both to laugh and such, until she slipped and fell down the stairs. "Oohh! Are you ok?!" Jordan cried as he ran down the steps after her. Amber paid no attention as she discovered a song called "All I want For Christmas (Is To Kick Your Ass)." She decided to put it in and play it.

The sound of a guitar ripped through the air from the television.

"~Haha hoho. Alright.

Merry Christmas.

Yeah I'm naughty, not so nice.

Someone who wants you dead.

Know when you're sleeping and I know when you wake.

Got a sock full of bolts and I'm hiding under your bed. Got your cookies, got your milk.

Got my shotgun trained on the chimney.

Stole my woman and all I want for Christmas is to kick your ass.

All I want for Christmas is to kick your ass!~"

"The hell is this?" Keirstan turned to the TV sharply. "It ain't Christmas."

Zoey laughed and Ian praised Amber about the music choice. She was now reading the band's description inside the cover on why this song was written. The paragraph ended with a few years later, the Riders grudgingly agreed to participate in a 1998 Christmas album in exchange for not having to do 30,000 hours of community service. "All I Want For Christmas Is To Kick Your Ass" was written, recorded and mailed in less than one hour.

She nodded as the music kept going. Seemed reasonable.

Francis side glanced at the noise strangely and headed down to the man cave. He hasn't seen it yet, though had already taken it for himself to sleep in. Looking around, he saw a pool table, recliners, a nice couch with blankets and pillows thrown all over. Alcohol bottles of every kind thrown in a corner and overflowing a recycling bin, gym equipment, a smaller flat screen TV. Books scattered the floor and there looked like more dry, old blood staining different spots on the light blue carpet. The biker wondered who lived here. Strangely they haven't seen any family portraits. He pushed the thought away then glanced at the entrance leading into the basement, when he saw movement from the other side of the room.

Startled he turned his full attention on it. His body bristled for a fight, immediately thinking it was an infected that was missed during the sweep.

But how could they? There was someone in each room...

It moved again and he stormed forward with the decision to sneak up, break its neck and chuck the body outside. However, he instantly stopped once getting a better look. It was just Kayla rummaging through a box of old magazines. She held one, stared at it for a moment then tossed it carelessly over her shoulder. He watched until the girl noticed him from the corner of her eye and jumped absolutely startled.

"Heh," he snickered as she held a hand up half way, taking a breath. "You good?" He added after she held her fingers together, mouthing the word 'why'. It was quiet, the only noises coming from upstairs. Francis felt another small smile grow on his face and opened his arms when Kayla looked at him and made a small, weak noise.

She swiftly leapt into them again and wrapped hers around his neck once more. "I missed you too hun," he said softly. Pulling her closer and holding her tightly in his large arms. One around her waist, the other across her shoulders. His face buried in the crook of her neck with the heavy feeling of relief washing over him as before. "I can't stress how scared I was for you both."

"I was scared for you too. But deep down I knew you'd be ok. Because you're 'indestructible'."

"Damn right I am."

Both laughed softly. Then just held each other for a while. He felt her rise and fall as she breathed in his hold, he moved his hand to rest it on the back of her head. She had her chin resting on his shoulder gazing off to the side, an arm also draped over his shoulder.

"You…" Francis' voice trailed off when he suddenly heard a soft, content rumbling. It took a few seconds for his brain to process what he was hearing. He looked forward perplexed. "Are you...purring?"

"Mm-hm."

"What?" They finally pulled away, as he looked at her curiously. "Since when can you purr?"

"Since always I guess."

"Do it again?"

So she did, inhaling and exhaling with her mouth closed. It went from soft to loud and sounded just like a Cat's. He listened in surprise, "how the hell are you doing that?"

"No idea. I found out in the beginning of the school year. Don't feel anything either. Weird right? So I looked it up a bunch of times but couldn't find the right answer. What's cool though I can do it whenever I want too. It freaks people out."

Francis glanced to the side and smirked again quite impressed. "Well shit, guess you really were a Cat in a past life." He said, thinking back to all the times he and friends had called her one, or commented she must have been the feline once because of her unintentional acts.

"I know, I...mm..."

He looked back at her when her voice faded. Seeing her downcast at the ground. A frown etched on her features. He blinked, he knew what she was thinking. He leaned a little closer from where he sat against the couch.

"What happened?" He asked gently.

She sat down. "It was so bad."

He nodded.

She took a large breath and sighed deeply. Holding and rubbing her face with both hands. Francis waited patiently for her to begin. Kayla remained quiet for another minute, her eyes still low while feeling his on her until she finally began to explain.

"What was the last text I sent you?"

"Oh...um, I think the last one was you said everyone's getting sick."

She didn't answer immediately. And was quiet when she did. "It was getting so bad I wondered if it was even safe to leave the dorms...sorry."

"It's ok."

"It just happened so suddenly. In the middle of the night."

"Mm."

"I was doing homework and listening to my scary stories on youtube like I do, when I heard some weird noises outside. I thought it was just guys being idiots again, when I heard bunch of students under my window passing by or whatever...they sounded worried, and when I heard what they were saying, I looked outside."

She looked disturbed from her own memories.

"There was a guy who staggered from outta nowhere. Probably from the woods nearby. He walked around strangely on campus. Really, really strangely. Then, even from where I was, I could see he was twitching. A couple of public safety officers were trying to talk to him but he didn't say anything. When he came closer in the light, I saw he had dark red all over the front of his clothes and skin." She motioned to where it was on her own. "It was blood."

"I heard sirens in the distance and everybody down below growing more nervous, one of the pub safety officers radioed for backup while the other instructed the kids to get inside...and then...he looked at them and screamed this ungodly scream. It-it was…" she shuddered, as the scream once again echoed through her thoughts. It was a sound she would not forget.

"He sprinted rabidly and tackled one of them. That's when everyone starts screaming. And you know, pub safety don't have actual weapons," she smiled nervously. It disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "This guy just starts wildly beating him. They were about the same size so he just couldn't push him off. The other officer went to help him, but the crazy fuck quickly reached up and tore his throat out," She made a yanking motion with her hand as she talked. "Then went straight back to beating the first guy. He even picked up a rock nearby and…"

"Kayla…" Francis sadly whispered, he could only imagine what she saw.

She took another breath. "I was too scared I didn't look away. More were running out from the dark. When he was done, He almost instantly shot his head up to where my window was. I pulled back as fast as I could. I didn't know what to do. But then thought 'I have to find Beth, I got to find Beth.' My phone's going off with all sorts of texts from everyone, and at this point, I could hear complete panic out there. I grabbed my measly pocket knives 'cause that's all I had, grabbed a bag and shoved whatever I could inside and went on my way. I can't even begin to stress how insane it was."

"...Yeah." He murmured, his hands held together.

"People were running, people were being attacked. There was so much going on at once it was too much. I ran into my friend, Tark." She let out a small laugh "I called him Tartar Sauce. He called me Squish…" Kayla trailed off again, her eyes full of fear and sadness now. "H-he helped me through it; and gave me this." She unsheathed her trusty hunting knife that Francis stared at solemnly. There was a long, quiet pause before Kayla continued. Looking over the weapon while speaking. "...We...went on our way. To find Beth and the others. More like, were about to." Her voice was quiet and distant, thinking of what happened.

"You were close." Francis said. He knew all too well she saw him die by listening to the experience. He didn't dare ask how.

Kayla nodded.

"I'm sorry hun."

"Eventually, I found Beth and our friends." She pointed to the stairs. "We made a break for the parking lot. We had to fight to get there. I almost got bit a couple times, but only got some scrapes and bruises. We could hear multiple gunshots from town." A pause to clear her throat. "There were people...there were people running others over while speeding away. Never heard bones break so loudly before in my life." She looked at him, the stress from hearing all of this clearly visible. His body stiff and eyes full of concern. He felt scared just listening to it.

"We got to the parking lot right as Keirstan was driving up. She was like 'come on! Move!' We scrambled inside and took off. It was hard getting out of town. Later we all get messages from our families telling us not to go home. They packed up all of our animals and told us what evacuation center to go to. Luckily, I left my Fish I usually have in my dorm at home this time." She smiled lightly.

"Ironically, all of our families told us to go to the same evac. So, we collected what we needed, stole the guns and headed over to where it was. When we arrived everyone was already gone. Eventually, we lost contact with them. We tried to find ways to contact you, contact mom, or someone...now all we can do is hope and pray they're somewhere safe. Same with our friends we have left that got away."

Francis was silent.

"Been by ourselves since."

He was too shocked to say anything. She could see it too. Guilt was twisting and tearing him apart inside. It was overwhelming. While he was up on a roof drinking and shooting a horde down with his buddies from the bar and having a good time, they were out there fighting for their lives. Impossibly afraid, confused and watching their friends die. They didn't even know if their mother was still alive…he could only do the same. Pray that she was ok.

He suddenly found staring at the floor was more interesting. Too ashamed to look at her. Why in the hell didn't he go out looking for them right from the beginning? What was he thinking?

Before he could say something, the sound of footsteps marching down the stairs met their ears. Francis looked at Kayla as she stared pass him; the lights from above reflecting in those striking heterochromia eyes of hers. "Oh hey!"

He turned seeing it was Ian. "We found something decent to eat tonight guys." He reported proudly. Right after, Kayla's stomach loudly growled. She showed annoyance at the sound before rising to her feet and stretched. "Alright."

Francis got up to follow. He made it to the top of the stairs and saw everybody eating tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches; with various bite-sized sides like carrots and chips. Most of the group were inside watching a show called Ghost Adventures. The title appeared on screen right as he checked.

Someone bumped into him. "Excuse me tree!" Beth exclaimed when she turned and came face to chest. He just pushed her away playfully. But He couldn't stop feeling horrible for what they went through. Alone.

He was going to get them out of this shit hole to safety. No matter what happens.

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A/N: Well that was a longer chapter than expected. Least I got a lot of what happened out of the way before the two groups met up right?! Also! The names mentioned that are not in the group are friends of Kayla, Beth and the other four from their college. Just to make that a little clearer. Thank you for reading!