Tobias stirred awake with a loud yawn, shifting his legs to relieve the ache in them. While he did he heard a faint sigh and he turned his head to the right to find someone lying beside him. Noting one bare arm drapped over him he stared at it, his foggy mind trying to make sense of who it belonged to. After a quick glance at himself he noted that he seemed to be naked and so did his companion.
"Did I...did we...?" He mumbled to himself, carefully shifting the arm off his waist and at his side Rachel sighed, moving to snuggle against his back. "Oh crap."
"Trying...to sleep here." I mumbled, eyes scrunched shut as Tobias extracted himself from my grasp before he climbed to his feet. "Better." Slipping back into a light doze I didn't see Tobias staring at me, a blanket lying on the floor directly in front of the couch.
"Rachel's going to kill me once she wakes up. Better make myself scarce for the next few hours." He muttered to himself, bending to retrieve his discarded clothes. Once he slipped his jeans back on Tobias noticed that Rachel had an arm curled around her chest the very same arm that he'd bandaged and he chewed his lips. "That cocktail really works wonders."
"Ugh...keep it down." Rachel muttered, rolling onto her back and Tobias blushed at the sight. Tiptoeing over to her, Tobias knelt grabbing the discarded blanket before he spread it over her naked body trying not to stare.
Grabbing a few supplies, Tobias moved to the table to grab the wrench he'd left there. Before he'd even taken a step towards the open window he doubled back, grabbing a piece of paper from his journal. Ripping it out he quickly scribbled a message to Rachel who didn't even flinch when he accidently dropped the journal on the floorboards.
Cringing he quickly set it back on the table before he left, leaving the note tucked into Rachel's pants pocket. Not too long after Tobias left, just over an hour later, I stirred opening my eyes to find myself lying on the couch.
"Hmm...Tobias?" I whispered, attempting to stretch until I remembered the bites on my wrist and the bullet wound. Instead I carefully rested my arms in my lap, my eyes travelling to the floor and as they did I discovered several items of clothing discarded on the floor. "Huh they look kind of familiar." I muttered to myself, leaning over as far as I could to retrieve one and as I examined a pink bra my eyes slowly widened.
"Tobias!" I shouted but he didn't answer and I groaned to myself, slipping the bra on once I noticed that aside from a blanket that had slipped off at some point I was buck naked. "I'm going to kill that idiot if the infected don't kill him first." I growled as I reached for the rest of my clothes, slipping them on before I sat back.
It wasn't until the sun had set before I heard hurried footsteps and I turned to see Tobias quickly moving through the open doorway, turning back before he shoved an empty crate in front of it. "That was bloody close." He breathed, sitting on the crate as he panted. It wasn't until he heard someone clearing their throat that he glanced up to see me staring at him, the fingers of my bandaged hand lightly tapping on the couch's armrest.
"Oh you're awake." He said and I narrowed my eyes at him as he crossed the room. "Just give me a second to unpack." He added when I opened my mouth. Shaking my head I waited as he dropped a couple of bottles on the table along with a handful of bars. Seeing the machete he set on the table I blinked and he turned back to me, giving me a weak smile. "Before you start shouting it was the cocktail that made you act like that."
"Sure blame it all on me. I didn't hear you complaining." I grumbled, laying my head on the pillow that had thankfully remained on the couch. "Though it wasn't bad from my point of view. Maybe you're a seven?" I admitted and Tobias coughed at me, eyes wide. "Okay maybe an eight but I'm being generous."
"Look I'm sorry if I did take advantage of you, sorta, but you came onto me first. Anyway I was going to say you were a nine but I'm not so sure now." Tobias shot back and I raised both eyebrows at him.
"Really? If I hadn't been drugged out of my mind I would have been a ten no question about that." I pointed out and Tobias gave me a tiny smile as I stretched my legs. "Now is it safe to eat anything you brought back?"
"Of course it is, Rachel. I was only trying to help you recover quicker." Tobias scolded and I sighed as he slumped into his desk chair, looking at me with a frown.
"Alright, Tobias. I'm just joking around. So can I get one of those bars...please?" I added and he gave me a grin that made his cheek scar stand out more. "See what you've turned me into? Making me beg."
"Since you asked so nicely..." Tobias trailed off with a smirk as he leant across, handing over a bottle of water and a bar that made my eyes light up. "I'm guessing you like chocolate chips?" He chuckled as I ripped open the packet, quickly taking a bite in case he changed his mind.
Swallowing the bite I couldn't help a sigh, a smile on my face and he chuckled making me raise my head with one eyebrow lowered. "What?" I asked and after he paused he just shrugged, unwrapping his own bar.
"I was going to point out that it's safe, mostly, if you want to go out hunting for supplies with me tomorrow. But only if you're well enough." Tobias added when my eyes lit up and I snorted at him, chewing on the chocolate bar as I thought about it.
"Okay if I'm well enough I'll go with you. But I don't know how helpful I'll be since I seem to attract zombies and crazy people." I replied and he chuckled, eating his own bar in the silence that followed. I finished mine before he did and he handed over another getting a raised eyebrow this time.
"You need your strength and no, not because of what we did. You still have two injuries that need to heal first and since I'm the one with medical training..." He trailed off when I rolled my eyes.
"You call the shots. I get it, Tobias." I sighed before I started on the second bar. As I munched on it I thought back to why I was letting him give me orders.
Maybe because he's the one whose saved my life twice now. That and he's given me more of his supplies plus there is the medical training I'm severly lacking.
"Something on your mind?" Tobias' voice pulled me from my thoughts and I shook my head giving him a faint smile before I resumed eating my bar. Once I finished it I set the empty packet on the couch before I reached for my bottle, flinching a little when my shoulder flared up. Seeing me wince he sighed before Tobias set down his half-eaten bar, climbing from his chair. Curious I watched as he moved to the back of the room again, coming back with that same first-aid kit.
Seeing him pull a syringe from the box I cringed and he gave me a lopsided smile, settling back in the chair again. "I know how this looks but you need another shot. Only because I can see you're in a lot of pain from those bites and that shoulder but in case you feel the need to jump me again...," Tobias paused for long enough to see my cheeks darken. "I can help you if you really need it." He finished and I growled at him.
"You're a...fuckwit. Asshole...I so hate you right now." I snapped at him, pulling the blanket around me when he pulled his chair close and he gave me a shake of his head. "How many other women did you use that cocktail on?"
"Hey I'm telling the truth when I tested it on myself. Besides you're the first living human I've found since I got bitten. Since then I've been trying to help anyone I can but it's hard when everyone you come across is an infected and too far gone to save." Tobias muttered and I sighed when his gaze moved to the floor, the syringe sitting between his fingers.
"Look I can't help being a bit of a bitch." I told him and he looked up, a sad smile on his face. "Alright a total bitch but I appreciate the care you've given me. Most people would have either left me as bait for the infected or...taken advantage of me being a woman."
"You're an attractive woman, vocabulary notwithstanding," Tobias began, getting a smirk for his trouble," but I'm not like that. I wouldn't take advantage of you especially not when you're sick or injured. Just getting that out into the air."
"I kind of figured that when you carried me back here even after I threw empty cans at your face. I don't think I messed it up...much." I replied and he pretended to be shocked though the silly grin he had on his face told me he wasn't seriously offended.
"A few women wouldn't say that about my looks, Rachel." Tobias countered and I snorted at him, a giggle escaping before I could stop it. "See, you agree with me."
"Yeah right, Tobias." I answered, a smile creeping onto my lips before I took another sip of my water. "Okay so I might as well get this over with. Give me the shot."
Giving me a smile, Tobias moved his chair close and I flinched as he took my hand in his. Cleaning my shoulder with another alcohol wipe he pricked the skin and I let out a gasp, eyes scrunching shut until I felt the needle withdraw. "All done. Just try to relax a little, Rach. You really shouldn't be exhausing yourself." He warned and I opened my eyes, giving him an eyeroll.
"That's pretty funny after we had sex but whatever. I guess you're the doctor here." I snorted in response and he chuckled as I laid back, getting comfortable in case I started feeling woozy. "What happened while I was asleep?" I asked to pass the time and he grinned, picking up the machete.
While he cleaned it with a rag he dug up from the box, Tobias hummed and I shrugged. After he finished he set the machete down on the table, dropping the rag beside it before he turned to me. "How do you feel now?" He asked and I just gave him a smile, rubbing at my tired eyes with the back of my palm. "Sleepy huh? You should rest for a while."
"I know but I don't feel like sleeping." I replied and he leant over, his fingers brushing my forehead. "No, I don't feel sick just..."
"Scared?" Tobias finished for me and I blinked when he cracked a sad smile. "I know that feeling, Rachel. I promise I won't go anywhere." He told me and I rolled my eyes though I couldn't help a tiny smile when his fingers briefly stroked my cheek.
After I started to doze, Tobias smiled to himself before he turned his attention back to his journal.
So far my efforts to find any way out of the city have proved unsuccessful. But I did manage to rescue a survivor who, at first, didn't appreciate my efforts. Though I think she's starting to warm to me after I saved her life and stitched up her shoulder, removing a bullet left by a crazed survivor. Hopefully when she's well enought to travel we can try and make out way out or at the very least meet up with other survivors.
Satisfied, Tobias set down his journal before he stifled a yawn. Noting that Rachel was sprawled across the couch he settled into the desk chair, closing his eyes to the sounds of her light breathing.
"Tobias?" I whispered and he blinked, waking to find me standing over him. Once he noticed my shoulders were shaking he rubbed at his eyes.
"Rachel, what's wrong? Are you feeling sick?" He whispered and I shook my head, stepping back so I could sit on the couch again. "Are you cold?" He asked and I nodded at him, trembling as he sighed. "I suppose I could sleep beside you but that's all I'm gonna do." He agreed and I nodded again, waiting until he lay against the back of the couch before I lay beside him.
Facing him I watched as he drapped an arm around my waist and I snuggled against his chest, his heart beat calming me. "Thanks." I whispered and I heard a faint sigh before I fell back asleep.
Tobias woke some hours later, bright light streaming through the only open window. He sighed, about to shift over onto he felt a weight lying against his chest and he cracked open an eye to find Rachel chest to chest with him.
"You're really cute when you asleep and not swearing." Tobias chuckled, reaching up with his arm to gently tousle her hair. As he did she groaned and he paused, his hand still resting on her head as she cracked open her eyes. "Rachel, what's going on?"
"Too hot." I whispered and his hand slid from my head. Moving his hand to my forehead he rested his palm against my forehead for a few seconds. "Feeling kinda...light-headed."
"You have a slight fever. I'll get you some water but I haven't got any painkillers except the cocktail but it's too soon to give you another shot." Tobias told me as I sat up, rubbing at the bridge of my nose. "Just relax okay? I'll be right back."
I watched a little blurry eyed as he headed towards the box under the table. Retrieving a bottle he returned to find me with my eyes drifting closed, face flushed and he sighed. Sitting beside me he gently tipped the bottle towards me and I reached up, gripping it weakly before I took a few sips. Just drinking exhausted me and when I yawned, my eyes staring to close he closed the bottle before he set it beside the bed.
"You really need to sleep." Tobias said and I nodded, staring at him until he sighed. "Okay I'll stay awake until you fall asleep. Then I should check our weapons." He agreed and I gave him a faint smile, waiting until he lay behind me before I lay back. Curling onto my side I felt Tobias drape an arm over my waist. Even with the fever making me uncomfortably warm being this close to Tobias helped me fall asleep.
Hours later...
"Rachel?" Tobias mumbled, shifting and Rachel sighed to herself curled up with her head resting on her knees. A quick check of her made me grin and he started to move until she made a noise, her hands gripping his hand. "Well at least we're both clothed. But now I can't move." He muttered to himself looking at Rachel who hadn't moved since she'd fallen asleep.
Gently, he tried to relax her grip but she just held on until he frowned at her.
She doesn't want to let go. Now what do I do other than push her off the couch. Which would be a very bad , you're not making this easy on me.
"Tobias?" I whispered, my eyes fluttering open when I felt Tobias shift beside me. Seeing him with his eyes on me I gave him a weak grin. "You wanted to move didn't you?"
"How did you know?" Tobias asked and I managed a weak laugh, sitting before I indicated the lack of space between us. "Yeah I wanted to go looking for more supplies but I didn't want to risk waking you either." He admitted, sitting up and I nodded.
"Yeah I kind of forget about personal space. Thanks for not pushing me out of bed." I replied and Tobias actually blushed making me giggle a little. Which surprised me since I'm not usually the giggling type. "Wait, you're going out again? Are you sure that's safe?"
"Harran's far from safe now but I need more food and water for us both, plus the medical supplies are running a bit low. I wouldn't leave you alone if I didn't need to but..." Tobias trailed off when I sighed, making him blink when I gave his hand a quick squeeze.
"I know you're doing this for both of us. Just...be careful okay? You're the first person I've met that's not trying to murder me." I answered and he gave me a grateful smile, the scar on his cheek making me smile. At least enough that him leaving me didn't sting too much.
As Tobias grabbed a bottle of water, an energy bar and the machete I couldn't help feeling a slight shiver, suddenly worried that Tobias would end up getting hurt. Or even worse though I kept a smile plastered to my face as I waved goodbye to Tobias, who climbed out the open window after making sure the barricade against the door held.
