Untangling myself from Brad's arms, I gave him a quick kiss on the lips. Stepping from the shower I headed towards the box containing the jeans and t-shirt I'd set aside. As I knelt I heard a low whistle and I turned my head, Brad grinning back at me as he stuck his head out from behind the shower curtain.
"Very funny, Brad. Are you going to get dressed or do you prefer walking around naked? I mean I don't mind but all the other survivors might." I asked, pulling the jeans on before I reached for the t-shirt. Pulling it over my head I didn't see Brad walk over until he knelt, reaching into the cardboard box for some clean clothes. "Before you ask I couldn't find any underwear. Guess I'm going commando." I told him and he sighed. After rummaging through the box for several minutes Brad settled on a pair of jeans and a very bright hawaian shirt with pink flowers on it. When he held it up I burst into a fit of giggles as he frowned at it.
"Hey it's the only one in my size." Brad protested, a tiny smile on his lips as he pulled it on over his head. Standing he carefully slid the pants on next and I grinned, giving the ZDC agent a good whack on the backside with my palm.
"Sorry couldn't resist. Not sure what the other survivors are gonna make of that shirt, Brad." I replied, standing and he rolled his eyes at me.
"It's not that bad is it?" Brad asked and I chewed my bottom lip, trying to think of an answer. "You know you're really not helping." He muttered and I shrugged, heading towards the door before I paused.
"I've been thinking. What happens once the ZDC create a cure? Don't they need to test it first, to see if it works?" I asked and Brad nodded, stepping past me to open the door.
"We'll need to test it on someone first." Brad explained as I moved through the doorway. "Not sure who though." He added, closing the door quietly behind us.
"You could test it on me, Brad. If that's okay with you and the ZDC of course." I replied. stopping in the middle of the hallway when he stared at me. "Geeze you don't have to stare at me like that." I muttered, feeling just a little awkward until he shook his head.
"You know that's twice in the past few days you've surprised me like this. I have to say I'm impressed." Brad answered after a long pause and I grinned at him, cheeks a little red as we continued towards the kitchen.
A few minutes later we made our way into the lounge, both grabbing a bottle of water and an apple each. Sitting on the lounge I sighed, resting my head as Brad took a sip from his bottle. I took a bite of my apple, chewing as I thought about being cured.
It would be nice not having to take a shot everyday. Still I wonder how they'll test the cure? Maybe a bloodtest?
Brad must have noticed my hands shaking because I felt him reach over, covering my hands with one of his own. "Don't worry, Bridget. William will just take a blood sample from you and use it to test the cure." He told me as I took a breath. "I'll be there too. Don't forget I'm infected too." He said and I shuddered, thinking about the way he cut his own Zombrex chip out.
"That must have hurt." I said and he blinked, eyebrow raised until I swallowed. "You know...cutting the chip out. Does it still hurt?" I asked, watching as he set down his bottle of water. "Sorry, shouldn't have mentioned that huh?" I mumbled when Brad lifted his hand, resting it on the bandage wrapped around his neck.
"It was really painful but it needed to be done." Brad answered and I grimaced when he rubbed the bandage. "Is something wrong, Bridget?"
"If it wasn't for General Hemlock you wouldn't have a scar." I complained, my food forgotten as I stared at the floor. "I would still have a family. Fuck, this sucks." I snapped, eyes narrowed at the floor.
"Do you have somewhere to stay after we're cleared to leave?" Brad asked and I shook my head, struggling to work out what to do next. "Maybe after you give that blood sample we can work on finding you a place to stay." He suggested and I raised my head, eyes leaking tears.
"I'm being a little emotional aren't I?" I sighed, wiping my eyes with my palm. "I wonder if I can find an apartment somewhere. Of course I'll have to get a job and...well that's going to have to wait until I create that cure. The ZDC of course not me." I said, not really sure why I was babbling. Maybe it had something to do with the fact Brad wouldn't stop staring at me, his lips curled into a smile. Or that his hands were now covering my own.
The very next day I sat on an office chair, supplied by the ZDC of course. Standing at my side were Brad and Nick, the latter with a bandage wrapped around his left arm. "Just keep still, Bridget. This will only take a few seconds." William told me and I swallowed, feeling a little self-conscious as my hands started to shake.
Without a second thought, Brad took my right hand in his and I looked up to see him smiling at me. "Just take it easy." He told me and I nodded, not caring if anyone noticed me staring at Brad. I felt the prick of a needle, making me flinch. I don't remember much after that, waking to find Brad hovering over me.
"I fainted again didn't I?" I muttered and Brad cracked a smile. "Why do I keep doing that? God I'm weak."
"I believe you mentioned something about having a fear of needles?" Brad asked, looking at me as I struggled to sit. "Here." He said, handing me a bottle of water.
"Thanks." I said, taking a sip from the bottle. Swallowing, I raised my head. "So how is the cure going?"
"It's only been a few hours, Bridget. The ZDC need a little more time." Brad chuckled and I blinked, taking another drink from my water to hide a blush. Sitting on the edge of my bed, I watched as Brad fiddled with the water bottle in his hands.
"Okay we need to find you another set of clothes. That shirt does not suit you at all." I said and he lifted his head, eyes wide as I giggled. "I mean the jeans I can deal with but that shirt...looks like something Gary would wear."
"You're lucky I dont mention the fact you're not wearing any..." Brad started until I quickly dived forward, clamping a hand over his mouth. Or at least I tried to, ending up facedown on the blanket inches from Brad's lap. Looking down at me, Brad couldn't help a smile. "I'm guessing you were trying to shut me up?" He asked as I sat, eyes narrowed at his face.
"Of course I was! Don't go around saying I'm not wearing underwear." I growled but Brad just laughed, moving so fast I let out a yelp. "Hey that was not funny." I muttered, staring up at him as he leaned over me.
"That wasn't what I was aiming for, Bridget." Brad answered, his lips pressing against my own before I could think of a retort. I reached up, wrapping my arms around his neck as I kissed him back. His hand slipped under my shirt and I arched my back, moaning as he scratched my spine.
It wasn't until Brad started to slide my shirt up that we both heard voices and Brad turned his head to see an older man with spiked blond hair and a beard staring at us. "Ever heard of knocking, asshole?" I yelled, quickly pulling my shirt down as Brad sat up. Glaring at the stranger I opened my mouth, about to unleash a few choice words when Annie and Nick hurried into the doorway.
"Calm down, Bridget. Dad, knock next time." Annie said and the man blinked as I sat, sitting beside Brad who was now glaring at our intruder. "Guys this is my dad, Chuck." Annie said to us this time, giving me a grin when I crossed my arms.
"It would have been better to meet in the lounge room, not the bedroom." I pointed out, climbing from the bed and Annie just laughed. Chuck, Nick and Annie left for the lounge room as Brad stared at me with his eyebrows raised. "I know they're a pain but we're stuck with them until the ZDC gives us the all-clear." I told Brad, who gave me a nod.
"This is going to be a long few days." Brad sighed and I giggled, holding out my hand for his. He took it, pulling me towards him before I could lead him into the hallway. "Just so you know; I blame you for this." He muttered, giving me a quick kiss.
"But I...oh never mind. Come on, Agent Park." I laughed, making my way into the hallway with a slightly amused ZDC agent in tow.
After a quick introduction I learnt that Chuck Green was Annie's (or Katey's) missing father. The same Chuck Green who survived the Fortune City outbreak which made him pretty impressive in my book. Well, him and Frank West the hero (apparently) of Willamette. That's what he always claimed anyway but I had yet to meet him.
Working for Chuck, Gary had spent a good amount of time searching for Annie. Long story short we all managed to escape Los Perdidos thanks to both Brad and Nick. It was nice to see Annie reunited with her father but I noticed that Chuck and Nick didn't really hit it off. Not surprising since he found out that Nick and Annie were a couple. Even though I was enjoying seeing Nick and Annie looking a little uncomfortable with Chuck around, I felt a little jealous that I was without my birth or adopted parents.
Something I would eventually have to come to terms with in the future.
Several months later...
It had been many months since the Los Perdidos outbreak. A few things had changed since then; important things like the cure for the zombie parasite for one. Since Nick Ramos' immunity had been discovered by Isabella Keys, a cure had been created by the ZDC. Now with the world immune, no one had to take daily Zombrex to stay human for another day. Which was good news especially for me and my boyfriend, Brad Park.
Ever since the Los Perdidos incident (as I liked to call it) we had become pretty close. I was enjoying helping him since he rejoined the ZDC though the one bedroom apartment we shared was kind of crowded. Not that I minded, especially since we shared the bedroom.
Originally we had started living in apartments one floor from each other but that changed quickly after the first night.
"Aggh! Stay away from me!" I screamed, eyes flying open to find myself alone. Shaking I lay there, blankets tangled around my legs before I heard hurried footsteps. Grabbing the baseball bat lying at the foot of my bed I gripped it tight, letting out a shriek as someone yanked open the door to my bedroom.
"Bridget, what happened?!" Brad shouted, wearing only a pair of dark blue boxer shorts and with a handgun clutched in his right hand. At any other time the sight would have had me laughing but the shock of my nightmare and his sudden appearance made me sob. Quickly setting the handgun down on the desk beside my bed, Brad sat beside me and I reached for him. Without a pause he pulled me into his arms, holding me as I tried to shake off the nightmare. "It's the same one isn't it?" He asked and I sniffed, nodding my head slightly.
"Yeah. I keep seeing Los Perdidos in flames and every time I run from the zombies they always catch me just before I reach you, tearing me apart. I know it's just a dream but..." I trailed off when Brad hugged me tighter. Just having him made me feel a little better and I soon started to doze, not seeing him give me a tiny smile. Finding him gone early the next morning left me a little sad until I read the note he'd left me, telling me to call if I needed him again. Which I did once the nightmare returned the very next night, leaving me shaken and crying. I felt awful when I noticed the dark circles under his eyes, the price he paid looking after me.
So on the third night I resolved to not let the nightmare affect me, choosing to take a sleeping pill instead. Unfortunately it worked too well and I woke late in the day, a dozen messages and just as many missed calls from Brad. Picking up the phone I dialled his number and after the second ring he picked up.
"Brad, what's wrong?" I whispered and I heard him sigh on the other end, making me chew my lip.
"I've been trying to call you for hours. What happened?" Brad asked and I paused as I tried to think up a convincing lie.
"I took a sleeping pill, just one to help me sleep. But I guess it worked too well." I sighed, fiddling with the edge of the blanket. When Brad didn't answer I stared at the blanket, worried. "Brad, are you mad at me?"
"Of course not. I was just worried when I tried to call you and you didn't answer. I know you're a sound sleeper but...look is it alright if I come to your apartment? We need to talk." He answered and I froze, my stomach dropping so fast as I gripped my phone.
"Oh okay. I'll be there." I told him, hearing him hang up before the phone slipped from my fingers.
What if he wants to break up? I know I've been a pain since I started having that stupid dream but I didn't think it was enough to...
I sat there, feeling my hands shaking until I heard a knock at my front door. Quickly climbing from the bed I hurried to the front of my apartment, opening the door to find Brad standing there. Dressed in his usual blue jacket, ZDC emblem on his left sleeve, and a pair of jeans he gave me a quick smile. Seeing me staring at him he blinked and I quickly moved back to let him into the apartment.
"Before you say anything I'm sorry I kept you awake with my stupid nightmares. I should have taken the sleeping pill sooner but I didn't think about it until I saw how tired you were." I said so quickly I had to take a breath. Holding up one hand Brad shook his head at me. "Please don't break up with me."
"When did I say I wanted to...Bridget, look at me." Brad said, cupping my chin when I turned my head fighting back tears. "I wanted to ask you something. Do you want to move in with me? Or I could move in with you?" Brad hurriedly said when I started to sniff, tears running down my cheeks.
"I thought you wanted to break up with me." I sniffed, burying my face in his chest as he slowly blinked in confusion. "Whatever you want to do. Here or there I really don't care." I added, giggling at the rhyhm. His smile growing, Brad kissed my forehead hugging me as I sniffed.
A few days later...
"Good morning." I whispered, my arm drapped over Brad's chest. Still half-asleep, he mumbled something. "You're really not a morning person are you?" I said with a tiny smile as he raised himself up by his elbows, rubbing at his eyes with the back of his palm.
"I was up all night going over paperwork while you were sprawled on the bed, snoring." Brad answered and I snorted, crossing my arms over my chest. "I'm just kidding, Bridget. You don't snore." He added when I raised an eyebrow.
"Huh that's pretty funny since I caught you drooling onto your pillow when I woke this morning." I pointed out and he narrowed his eyes, quickly grabbing my arm before I could move. "I was joking!" I giggled as he pulled me into his arms, tickling me until I couldn't breathe.
"I do not, Bridget." Brad replied, hugging me against his chest as I hiccupped. After a few seconds of staring at me Brad grinned, pressing his lips to my forehead before he pushed me onto the blanket. Lying on my back I smiled as he leant on, our lips barely touching before his mobile started to ring.
"Oh for the love of...had to be this very second didn't it?" I complained, Brad pulling the phone from his jacket pocket and I glared at it. "Can't you just let it go to voice mail?" I begged and he shook his head after glancing at the number.
"It's work. Look I'll make it up to you I promise." Brad said, cringing a little at my narrowed eyes. "Please stop looking at me like that."
"Alright it is work so I can forgive you, just this once anyway." I said, climbing from the bed before I started for the door. "Meet me in the shower in five minutes." I told him, laughing when his cheeks reddened.
Okay just letting everyone know I originally was going to write a second, separate story that continues into Dead Rising 4 but instead I ended up making it into one longer story. Just finished the newest game too :)