Contagion
When David entered the house, late in the evening, he found all ominously quiet. The fire in the hearth had burned down to glowing embers and all the candles were blown out.
Quietly, David went to the bedroom and found Gabrielle and Xena asleep on the bed.
He moved to Gabrielle's side and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Gabrielle's eyes snapped open in momentary fright, and then she blinked.
"Hi," she whispered groggily.
"Hey," David smiled. "You still mad at me?"
Gabrielle shook her head and pushed her hair out of her eyes. "No, not really. I'm too tired to be angry right now."
"I'm sorry," David said sincerely. "But I need your help. The guy we caught wants to talk to you."
Gabrielle yawned and then frowned. "Why me?"
"That's a long story," David admitted. "I could fill you in on the way back to town?"
"What about Xena?"
David shrugged. "We could drop her off at Lila's place for the rest of the night?"
David looked past his wife at the tiny figure sleeping under the blanket. He remembered Locarnos's description of mothers and infants during winter famine and a shudder ran up his spine.
"Are you alright?" Gabrielle asked, seeing his expression.
"Yeah," David replied quickly. "Yeah, I'm fine. Will you come and take a look at this clown?"
"I don't see why I should be the one to talk to him?" Gabrielle asked.
David sighed. "He told me to ask you about something called the Garou. He said, as an Amazon Queen, you would understand?" His voice faded as he saw the haunted expression appear on Gabrielle's face. Instantly, her sleepiness evaporated and she got out of the bed, rummaging about for clothing.
"Get Xena ready." She said urgently.
Locarnos had told David to drop the name if she was unwilling to come, but he hadn't expected the anxious response that he was seeing.
Quickly, he fetched a couple more small blankets. Xena made a few noises as her father gently lifted her from the bed and wrapped her comfortably, to protect her from the chill evening. Her blue eyes opened and she looked up at David in surprise.
"Hey pretty girl," David smiled down at her. "Go on back to sleep now. Everything's okay."
The tiny eyes fixed on him for a few seconds more, and then Xena yawned and drifted back into soft, quiet dreams.
Gabrielle settled on her simple Amazon garb. Halter, skirt, boots and the thick deerskin coat.
David was surprised when she took her sais out of the drawer and slid them into their usual places, within her boots.
Next, she grabbed her favorite traveling bag and loaded some supplies for the baby.
"Okay," she said at last, shrugging uncomfortably in her halter. "Let's go."
David saw her adjust the garment a second time and frown, mildly frustrated.
"Problem?" he asked knowingly, a smile forming on his lips.
Gabrielle was suddenly a bit self conscious. "No, not really. I just don't remember it fitting this tightly before," she said quickly.
David's grin widened as he followed her to the door.
Before they reached it, however, David paused.
"Hang on a second!" he said quickly. He handed the sleeping baby to Gabrielle. "I got an idea." He ducked back into the bedroom
David and Gabrielle arrived at the town jail a short while later. Lila and Beltanus had been more than happy to have their niece spend the remainder of the night, though Xena was most unhappy about being separated from her parents.
"Just remember," David was saying as they entered the building. "He's going to try and get into your head and mess with you. Watch out."
Gabrielle nodded. They stopped at the thick oak door and peered in through the tiny window.
Locarnos sat where he had been left, upon the stool, with his head down on the table, as if asleep.
Gabrielle studied his slim, ragged appearance and smiled grimly.
"What?" David whispered. "You've got that look?"
"If he is one of the Garou," Gabrielle replied, pointing at Locarnos. "Then he's the first one I've ever met."
David could almost see the eager curiosity in Gabrielle's eyes.
"Just be careful," David whispered emphatically. He opened the door and the two of them entered the cramped chamber.
David stood next to the door while Gabrielle seated herself on the small stool across from the prisoner.
Locarnos made no move, even though the two of them made enough noise to announce their presence.
After a few moments, Gabrielle looked up at David, her eyebrow rising slightly. David merely shrugged in response. Gabrielle cleared her throat loudly.
Finally, Locarnos looked up at her, smiled and then looked at David.
His eyes narrowed slightly and then returned to stare into Gabrielle's face.
"Queen Gabrielle?" he asked politely.
Gabrielle nodded.
"Excellent," Locarnos smiled. "It's most generous of you to take the time to see a lowly prisoner."
Again, Gabrielle remained silent, merely shrugging slightly to acknowledge the comment.
Locarnos paused, seeming to be a bit unsure about how to proceed.
"I understand that you recently had a child," He finally offered. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Gabrielle replied calmly.
Again, an uneasy silence fell upon the tiny room. Locarnos looked at David who was watching Gabrielle with equal curiosity.
By nature, Gabrielle was a communicator. She enjoyed talking. Indeed, she would occasionally get herself into trouble because she was known to talk too much. This stony silence was completely out of character for her.
Locarnos shifted in his seat. It was the first time duringhis incarcerationthat he actually looked uncomfortable.
"I assume you have questions for me?" He finally asked.
Gabrielle considered for a moment and then shook her head. "No."
"No?" Locarnos replied, his face lightening to an expression of mild amusement. "I would have thought-"
Gabrielle cut him off. "You thought wrong. This man said you wanted to speak to me, so?"
"You may as well call him your husband," Locarnos cut her off this time. "Since I already know that he is."
Gabrielle looked back at David, who merely shrugged his shoulders. "He's very well informed."
"Ah," Gabrielle nodded, turning back to the prisoner. She folded her hands before her and waited.
Locarnos matched her stare and then sighed. "I do wish to speak with you, Amazon Queen," he finally admitted. Then he looked pointedly at David. "Alone."
"Not going to happen, pal," David said evenly.
"Then I fear you have wasted both your time, and mine," Locarnos replied, looking at Gabrielle.
"It's okay," Gabrielle said suddenly.
"Hell it is," David replied. "I'm not leaving you alone in here with him!"
Gabrielle looked back at her husband. "It's okay."
"Scuse me?" David asked, not sure he had heard her correctly.
"I'll be fine," Gabrielle said. Her eyes flicked to the cell door.
"You sure?" David asked.
Gabrielle nodded.
Clearly displeased, David moved to the door and knocked.
"I'll be just out here," he said to Locarnos. "If you do anything – try anything – you'll be in a world of hurt, got it?"
Locarnos merely smiled. "Run along now," he mocked.
Gabrielle heard David growl as he withdrew. She smiled grimly.
"One thing that you should have learned," she said. "Is that provoking my husband could get you hurt."
"I wonder what could get me killed?" Locarnos asked, stroking his chin. He blinked and looked back at Gabrielle. "Sorry, just wondering."
Gabrielle met his gaze easily.
"It would seem that we have a problem," Locarnos said quietly. "The Garou and the Ahia have enjoyed peace for ages uncounted. You know our secrets, and we know yours. No Garou has harmed an Ahia for over three centuries now. We do not encroach upon your lands and you do not hinder our works."
"I remember what Melosa told me," Gabrielle replied.
"Yet, here you are, an Amazon Queen, not residing in the protected lands, and now, caught in the middle of our ways. Under these circumstances, I am well within my rights to kill you."
"Really?" Gabrielle replied.
Locarnos shrugged. "Yes."
Gabrielle folded her arms across her chest and raised an eyebrow.
Locarnos's eyes lit with predatory intensity and he leaned forward over the table.
"I could break these bonds and rip your pretty head off long before they could open that door and save you." He said in a low, menacing voice.
"Then why don't you?" Gabrielle responded coolly.
Locarnos's eyes never left hers as he settled back again, his bound hands resting on his lap.
"It's not the right time." He said.
The two remained motionless, eyes locked as they fought a subtle duel of wills. Even the air seemed to go still. The soft sounds of the cell fell silent as they stared at one another.
Suddenly, Locarnos's hands separated, the tough leather thong about his wrists, snapping audibly. The table clattered against the far wall, and the prisoner charged forward, his fingers wrapped around Gabrielle's throat as he pushed her against the wall. With his other hand, he grasped the handle to the door and held it fast as voices cried in alarm beyond the small window. The door shook impotently as David and the guard pulled against Locarnos's strength.
Gabrielle's eyes were wide with shock as she struggled against his grasp. His fingers closed about her neck with iron strength. His eyes were black, impassive, completely devoid of humanity.
Then he smiled in a way that made Gabrielle hope he would finish her quickly. There was something in it that spoke of anticipation. He gave her throat one more little squeeze. It was a slight increase in pressure, not enough to snap her neck and kill her, just enough to emphasize that he could. His left hand released the handle on the door and David came boiling into the room. He grasped the man's shoulders and flung him against the wall with a bellow of rage.
Locarnos bounced against the cold, unyielding stone and fell to the floor.
"You messed up," David growled. His entire being shook with barely restrained rage. "You messed up big!"
Behind him, Gabrielle croaked as she tried to speak. The guard ushered her quickly out of the cell.
David stepped back and then kicked viciously into Locarnos's middle, lifting the man from the ground with a grunt of surprise.
Locarnos rolled away from the blow, ending up face first in the wall. Then he rolled back over, his arms wrapped about his middle as he fought to get air back into his lungs.
David stepped over the fallen man and yanked him to his feet.
"No more games!" He snarled. "Tell me where those supplies are, or I will hurt you so bad you'll think it's a career!"
Locarnos looked up at him and actually smiled. "No more games?" he asked, as if he were waiting to be granted permission. "Are you sure you want to go that far?"
David's forearm came up in a vicious blow that sent Locarnos up off the ground.
As he floated through the air, a hideous transformation occurred. His limbs covered with hair and his face transformed into a fierce, dog like muzzle. His dark eyes went yellow. He landed in a crouch, snarling and snapping with sharp yellow teeth.
"Oh shit," David thought as he readied himself for the attack.
Locarnos fixed his rabid eyes on David and his sharp claws scraped the stones of the floor. With a roar, he leapt for David's throat.
There was a whoosh of pseudo motion, and a sound, like a saw blade. Something shiny burst through the oak door and caught Locarnos in the torso as he sailed towards his prey.
He let out a yelp of surprise and pain and fell to the floor. In a matter of moments, he had changed back into his human form. His eyes fixed on the door in amazement as if this was the last thing in the world he had expected.
The door opened, revealing Gabrielle, standing there with eyes as cold as winter seawater.
David looked down and saw Gabrielle's chakram protruding from the prisoner's chest. The circular weapon had sunk half way in and was bathed in dark blood.
He was in shock as he saw the slight cuts on either side of the small window in the door where the weapon had sawed its way through.
"Nice shot," he gasped without thinking.
Gabrielle stepped slowly over to the stricken form of Locarnos and knelt down.
"Want to tell me where our things are now?" she asked coldly.
Locarnos laughed a gurgling laugh as blood burst from his mouth.
"Well played, Amazon," he choked. His misshapen fingers clutched at the weapon as he tried to remove it. "Well played."
"My husband has a saying." Gabrielle smiled coldly. "Don't fuck with my family!"
The blood frothed in the dying man's mouth as he laughed.
"The abandoned retreats in the northern hills, Amazon," Locarnos gurgled. "Your food and supplies are there." His eyes fixed on her fiercely. "Retrieve them if you can! I will see you again!"
"I doubt it," Gabrielle hissed.
Locarnos convulsed suddenly and he looked up at Gabrielle in surprise.
"That weapon was given by Ares," Gabrielle explained. "It is one of a few weapons that can really kill your kind. It's killed Gods!"
In desperation, Locarnos lashed out at Gabrielle with one clawed hand. Gabrielle jumped back out of his reach and folded her arms across her chest.
"You feel that, Locarnos?" She taunted him with uncharacteristic amusement. "That's true death touching you. You won't ever harm another soul again!"
David watched his wife and felt a chill creep up his spine. He had never seen this side of her before. He hadn't even known she could be this ruthless.
Locarnos gave one more shudder, his eyes rolled back and the whites went dim.
Gabrielle looked down at the motionless figure for a moment before stepping out the door and returning with David's katana. She drew the blade, handing the scabbard to her husband, and stepped alongside the body.
With one swift slice, she severed the head from the body.
"Whoa!" David cried in revulsion.
She handed the bloody weapon to David and then freed her chakram.
Turning to the guard, her eyes cold and merciless, she indicated the corpse.
"Wrap him in cloth, take him out and burn him," she instructed. She stepped past David on her way out of the cell.
"Come on."
Still in shock, David followed mutely behind her.
Gabrielle stopped at the nearby well and drew a large pail of water, pouring it over the chakram to clean away the blood. Then she reached into her bag and began to oil it.
"What the hell was all that?" David finally managed to ask. The question came out sounding more severe than he had intended, and she glared in his direction.
"You think you're the only one serious about protecting our home?" She shot back.
David held up a hand. "Whoa there," he said more gently. He sat down next to her and cleaned the blood from the katana before sliding it back into its sheath. "It was a question?"
Gabrielle took a deep breath, the air coming out from between her lips in a misty sigh.
"Sorry," she acknowledged. She shivered suddenly in the chill night.
David drew the end of the sword sheath in the dirt at his feet, making slow circular motions while Gabrielle finished cleaning her weapon.
She separated the chakram into two curved blades and continued cleaning it carefully.
"Thanks for saving my ass," he said softly. A smile pulled at his lips and he looked sidelong at her. "Don't fuck with my family?" He finished with an amused grin. "Tell me you won't teach our daughter to talk like that?"
Gabrielle's stoic expression faded into something lighter. She shrugged, and her own smile began to reassert itself.
"What?" She asked.
David shook his head in appreciation, "I've just never seen you get so intense before?" His dark eyes looked at her thoughtfully. "Now I see you kicking ass and talking like a truck driver? Where did that come from?"
Gabrielle's eyes never left her task as she oiled the individual blades. "He made me angry."
"Well," David replied. "Here's hoping you never get that angry at me, babe?"
Gabrielle looked at him intensely for a moment. "Then quit getting into trouble."
She held the two halves of the chakram up between them and snapped them back together for emphasis.
David caught the hint and smiled. "Yes ma'am."
An orange light flared off to one side, and the two of them saw the wrapped corpse behind the jail house, burning as the two guards assigned to the task stepped away.
Suddenly, the flames erupted in a blue/green burst and the body seemed to dissolve to nothing in a matter of moments.
From the nearby hills, the sounds of mournful howling could be heard rising towards the night sky.
"They know," David said, ignoring the chill in his blood. He looked over at Gabrielle inquisitively. "So, what? We wait till daylight and go get our stuff?"
"Daylight?" Gabrielle asked. "What are you talking about?"
"Daylight." David repeated. "Werewolves only change at night, during a full moon, right?"
Gabrielle looked at him as if he had gone momentarily mad. "Where in the world did you hear that?"
"That's what all the legends say," David replied. "A person with lycanthropy changes into the shape of a wolf at the full moon?"
"Lycano-what?" Gabrielle asked. "David, have you looked at the moon lately?"
David looked up into the sky and saw that the moon, though brilliant, was only three quarters full and waning.
His eyes drifted to the smoldering ashes behind the jailhouse and then back up at the sky.
"Okay?" he muttered. "This is a bit awkward."
He puzzled over this new variable and then looked at her helplessly.
"I give up." He admitted. "Educate me."
Gabrielle's grim demeanor fell away and she smiled.
"What?" she asked playfully. "You don't know about this? I thought you knew everything?"
David's gaze went dark.
"Hang on a minute," Gabrielle said, sitting still and taking a few soft breaths. "I just want to relish this moment. Is this what it feels like to be you all the time?" She smiled. "Wow, this is incredible. I mean, it's like – "
"Gab!" David said sharply, though his own smile washed away any severity the tone conveyed.
"Okay, okay," Gabrielle laughed. She paused for a moment and collected her thoughts.
"For a very long time, the Garou and the Ahia have had an uneasy truce."
"Who?" David asked.
"The Amazons and the Werewolves, as you call them," Gabrielle explained. "Ahia is the ancient name of the Amazons. Long before we took the name 'Amazon', we were called the Ahia."
"And the Werewolves were called the Garou," David nodded.
"They've always been known as the Garou," Gabrielle said. "I've never heard the term 'werewolf' before?"
David shrugged and Gabrielle continued.
"I don't know the actual history," She confessed. "But Queen Melosa explained that the Garou had protected the Amazons back when we weren't strong enough or organized enough to protect ourselves. In return, we aided them as we could. Healing their wounded or sheltering them when they were being hunted. How the arrangement came to be, I don't know, but both sides have honored it up until tonight."
"So, what are they?" David asked.
"Skin changers," Gabrielle replied. "Or at least, that's what the legends say. They were priests who were granted the ability to change their skins."
"Skin changers?" David asked dubiously. "You're telling me that these boys were part of the clergy?"
Gabrielle nodded. "They had the ability to don the skin of a wolf or bear and become that animal."
David held up a hand to forestall her. "This might be a small point, but Locarnos didn't have an animal skin around when he changed?"
"I know," Gabrielle nodded. "That's the part that's confusing me."
"Neither did the other one?" David added.
"The survivor you told me about?" Gabrielle confirmed.
David nodded. "Something's changed, hasn't it?"
"Seems that way," Gabrielle agreed. "The Garou were violent, but reclusive. They stayed away from people. The only things they hunted were food animals. There are stories of the Garou finding game for Amazons in the longest winters? I don't understand this?" She looked at David inquisitively. "And why resort to these tactics? Believe me; the Garou could overrun Poditia easily. They wouldn't need all these games?"
David thought for a moment and sighed. "We seem to have a lot of questions. I think we should try and find some answers?"
He looked at Gabrielle. "What do you think?"
"Well," Gabrielle offered. "We could take a couple of troops with us and try and get our stuff? Maybe we'll find some of the answers on the way?"
David nodded and glanced past Gabrielle's shoulder. Standing nearby was the soldier that had been wounded in the attack earlier. His left arm was bandaged and hung in a sling. He stood with several of his comrades, talking about the attack, his good hand moving as he described the events.
Instantly, David recalled Locarnos's hints about an epidemic and he felt his blood run chill.
"What's the matter?" Gabrielle asked. She looked where her husband was and saw the men standing under a torch, talking.
"Hopefully nothing," David replied. He rose and walked over to the men.
"Hi guys," he said kindly. He looked at the wounded man. "Can I have a word with you?"
The wounded soldier nodded, his curiosity aroused.
"What's your name?" David asked as he led the man away from his comrades.
"Kastius," The soldier replied.
"Kastius," David repeated, placing his hand on the young man's shoulder. "I need to ask you a big favor?" He began leading the soldier up towards the jailhouse.
"What can I do for you, sir?" Kastius asked dutifully.
David looked down into the young man's clear eyes and sighed inwardly. Kastius was a man, slender and strong, about twenty years of age, with thick curly blondish hair and a hint of whiskers at his chin. His face was well defined and handsome, and his eyes were still full of the eager light of a man dedicated to serving others.
He winced inwardly. "I don't want to ask you to do this," he said. "But I can't take any chances."
He felt Gabrielle step up next to him, her eyes searching his face. She immediately knew something was wrong.
"What's going on?" She asked.
David looked at Kastius and nodded. "I'm asking you to volunteer, Kastius, but you really don't have a choice. I need you to spend a couple of days in jail?"
The eager expression on the young soldiers face gave way to confusion. "I don't understand sir?"
"You got any family, Kastius?" David asked.
"My wife, Ami, and I are expecting our first child any day now?" Kastius replied, still confused.
"And would you do anything you could to protect them?" David asked.
"Of course," Kastius replied without hesitation.
"David?" Gabrielle asked. "What's going on?"
David closed his eyes and sighed. "Kas, there's a chance that your wound is infected."
"The surgeon said it was a clean wound?" Kastius replied nervously.
"That's not what I mean," David said quickly. "I mean, there's a chance that you might – change."
Dawning appeared on the young soldiers face, followed by dread.
"You mean, like the survivor from the caravan?"
David nodded. "I'm afraid so."
To his credit, Kastius handled the revelation remarkably well.
"I think I'm going to be ill," he choked as his color paled.
Gabrielle and David helped him to a nearby bench and let him sit as he absorbed the information.
After a few moments he swallowed and looked up at David expectantly. "Okay? What do you want me to do?"
"We just need you to spend a couple nights in jail," David replied evenly. "Right now, you're the only one to receive a wound in the attack and survive?"
Kastius laughed nervously. "Couple of nights in a cell? Wouldn't be the first time."
The young man was obviously terrified, but he covered the anxiety better than most. David put a hand on his shoulder and gently led him up to the jailhouse.
Lieutenant Martus came out to greet them.
"What's the problem?" He asked.
"Sir," Kastius said before David could explain. "I fear that I may be a danger to the village. I request that I be confined immediately."
David nodded in agreement.
Martus looked at them and then turned to another of his men.
"Clean up a cell and put in new bedding, a chair and table." The guard nodded and vanished within the building.
"I may have to confine you," he said. "But you can at least be comfortable?"
Kastius nodded. "Thank you, sir."
The cell was made ready, and Kastius stepped within, staring out the small window in the door as it closed before him.
"I'm sorry about this," David said.
Kastius managed a nervous smile. "Better safe than sorry, right?"
David smiled and nodded.
"Do something for me!" Kastius said quickly.
"Name it."
"Let Ami know what's happening," Kastius requested. "I don't want her to worry."
"I'll take care of it myself," David nodded again. "You want anything? Drink? Food?"
Kastius smiled. "Somehow, I'm not that hungry."
David patted the door and turned away. After a quick explanation to the Lieutenant, he went in search of Kastius's small home within the village and delivered the news to his young wife. Like her husband, she put on a brave front, but it cracked eventually and she fell into tears.
Once Ami had calmed down, David met up with Gabrielle at Beltanus's little tavern. David's brother-in-law met him at the door and ushered him inside. Gabrielle sat at one of the tables, holding Xena in her arms, while Lila sat nearby, holding a quiet conversation with her.
"Got any of the rocket fuel that Alia sent to you a few months back?" David asked wearily.
"The Amazon Voodoo Juice?" Beltanus replied with a smile. He stepped behind the bar and lifted a glass bottle, setting it and a small cup on the bar.
"Help yourself," he offered.
David took the bottle and the cup and went to sit next to his wife. He looked down at his daughter as she lay nestled against Gabrielle's chest, feeding contentedly.
"I keep thinking about Kastius," he finally admitted.
"Don't," Gabrielle said quickly.
"Can't help it," David replied, pouring himself a drink. He sipped the liquor thoughtfully, feeling the familiar warm burn move down his throat. "You know we're walking into a fight tomorrow?" he said after a few minutes.
Gabrielle looked up at him and nodded. "I know."
"We both don't have to go?" David suggested, already knowing the response.
"Fine," Gabrielle replied easily. "You stay here with the baby, and I'll lead the party."
She looked at him and smiled.
"Yeah, right," David chuckled. "When pigs fly."
He looked up to see Beltanus coming in from the rear of the building, which served as he and Lila's home. He held a large bundle of blankets in his arms.
"You know you aren't going back out to the farm tonight," he offered. "Not with those monsters about." He gave an apologetic shrug.
"Sorry there isn't a bed for you," he continued. "But you're welcome to the floor."
"Hold that thought," David said with a smile. He rose and got a chair for Gabrielle. Then he took several of the benches and lined them up next to each other in the corner near the small hearth.
Once done, the benches made a sleeping pallet wide enough for the two of them.
Lila went and got the large basket that served as Xena's crib, setting it on a nearby table.
Beltanus smiled and nodded. "Well, we'll leave you to it, then. Just wake us in the morning?"
Gabrielle nodded. And bid them goodnight.
David sat down at one of the smaller tables and went back to sipping on his drink.
Gabrielle surveyed the makeshift bed and nodded in approval. "I love the way you think on your feet," she said with a smile.
"What?" David asked as he came out of his reverie.
Gabrielle pointed at the bed and then sat down across from him at the small table.
"Come on," she said knowingly. "You have that look. What are you thinking about?"
"Something Locarnos said," David answered. "He seemed to relish the idea of watching all of us starve and turn on each other. It was almost as if he were looking forward to it?"
"That's pretty sick, David." Gabrielle replied.
"Yes," David agreed. "He was also looking forward to watching the wounded turn and ravage the village."
"So," Gabrielle answered. "He was a twisted man with some sick ideas about entertainment."
"Then why tell us what we wanted to know?" David asked suddenly. "Why wait until he's dying to finally let us have what we want? It was pretty obvious that he was enjoying our angst, right?"
"Yeah?" Gabrielle answered.
"He also said that he looked forward to seeing us again, when we went to get the stuff," David continued.
"That was before he knew he was actually dying," Gabrielle replied. "He was probably assuming that we would toss his body in a shallow grave – " she stopped as realization came to her.
"He was lying?" Gabrielle asked.
"Why not?" David replied. "Tell me, how long would it take to get to where he was indicating?"
Gabrielle shrugged. "A few hours."
"With wagons?"
"Okay, a little bit longer," Gabrielle conceded.
"Figure we'd have to search to find the stuff, load it and bring it back here," David continued. "How long, if we only grab the essentials?"
"I see where you're going with this," Gabrielle nodded. "A trap?"
"A trap," David nodded. "Whether the stuff is actually there or not doesn't matter, because we'd be walking into a trap. Even if someone survived the attack, they wouldn't be able to get anything of value back here? If they were infected and went berserk?"
Gabrielle shuddered. "I hate it when you think like this."
"Ah," David grinned. "You're forgetting the most encouraging part."
"And that is?" Gabrielle replied. She didn't see anything positive in this line of reasoning.
"The first step in avoiding a trap," David said. "Is knowing about it."
"You have an idea?" Gabrielle asked expectantly. "I know that look, honey."
"I'm working on it," David replied with a sigh. His eyes roamed about the room, searching for inspiration. They fell on the makeshift bed that he had cobbled together and stayed there. For a few moments, he didn't know why, and then the idea came to him.
Gabrielle saw that familiar smile grow, and she felt hope grow in her at the same time.
She looked at the bed and then back at David.
"You can't be thinking about that!" She said.
"I always think about that, honey," David grinned. "I'm a guy and you're gorgeous, after all. But I'm not thinking about that at this particular moment."
He slammed the rest of his drink and jumped to his feet. "I need to talk to the boss!" He said quickly as he made for the door. "Be back in a bit!"
"But, what are you," Gabrielle started but it was too late. David was gone.
She looked back at the bed and tried to figure out what David had come up with, to no avail.
Sighing, she stared at the bottle of liquor and the empty cup. Her anxiety got the better of her and she poured a cup full and slammed it down, feeling the fire burn through her throat. It was as though her body temperature had risen a few degrees, and several of her muscle groups seemed to convulse in protest as she stood up and shook her head.
"Ugh!" she groaned hoarsely. "What in the world did I do that for?"
"Hey!" David's head poked back in just as she finished regaining control of herself.
He immediately saw the flush in her cheeks and the empty cup in her hand and he smiled.
"Knocks you on your ass, don't it?" he asked, smiling.
"What?" Gabrielle replied.
"Silver hurts the Garou, right?"
"Yes, but how did you know that?" She asked.
"Thank you!" David vanished again.
Gabrielle looked at the vacant space where her husband had stood and briefly contemplated another draught of the liquor, suddenly understanding why she had taken the first drink to begin with.