Having a bit of fun with the dramatics here…hope you like it. This is mostly Tom & Anya, then Landry. Greg/Abby should be in the next chapter.

Disclaimer: Just a fan!

Tom and Anya were still in the small office. Tom's mind was set on working their way out of the complex. His survival instinct was strong and he was relieved to know that Anya was safe. While he played Landry's lab rat he had spent hours with her on his mind. He had tried to push away the thoughts, but being locked in that room with nothing to do was maddening. He didn't like being idle, it wound him up too tight. He needed the release of physical movement, it calmed him. Then there were all the hints Landry kept dropping to him about Anya leaving the group and being out there on her own. Tom hadn't wanted to believe him, thought he was bluffing. He still didn't understand what had happened to bring her here alone, but there was no time to talk.

What sketchy plans they had for escaping had changed with the list of Survivors they found. Once Anya saw that name, she could not let herself leave without looking for the woman. If it weren't for Anya, Tom would have left regardless of what the list said, but she felt an obligation and a need, especially since they had come so far. There was such an insistence about her and regardless of what happened between them when they last saw each other, he seemed to fall in synch with her. After all, she came all this way just for him and he wasn't about to just walk off and save only himself. He didn't understand this affect she seemed to have on him. He was upset that she had rejected him at the lab. She had been rejecting him over and over since the beginning, really. But the closer they became to each other, the harder the rejections hit.

They had no idea how they were going to find anyone in this place. Too much time had passed and they were sure Landry was recovered from his Taser jolt by now. Holding him hostage was no longer an option. Anya thought the building might be set up like her university buildings with the rooms along the outer edges and a courtyard like area in the center. They decided to cautiously navigate their way through the halls.

Silently, Anya hoped that their risk would be worth it.

Xxxx

Landry took a few moments to pull himself together. He poured a brandy and emptied the glass in one gulp. His head guard entered the room.

"Sir, the woman has not been found. James was found in a Lab room handcuffed to the bed. His access card is missing. "

"Ah, yes. Well, it seems then that she found what she came for. She is no longer alone. "

Landry took a moment to think about how to instruct his guard. He realized that he had not only underestimated Anya's resilience, but her bond with Tom Price as well.

"I don't believe they will be looking to stay. I don't see any need to worry the residents. Mass panic never does anyone any good. Focus on the exits. Let them get far enough away to keep the mess outside of the boundary." Landry instructed.

"Sir…" the guard hesitated. "Um…what about contamination from the virus?"

Landry took a step closer to the guard and put his hand on the man's shoulder. "No need for worry. They have both received the vaccination. You will be fine."

The guard looked as though he wanted to ask how Landry knew this, but he had been around long enough to know that he would only get answers to the questions he was 'allowed' to ask.

"When we find them, Sir, should we follow protocol?" the guard asked.

"No, I don't think so this time, "Landry spoke slowly as if the decision was being made as he spoke the words, "Ms. Raczynski is a skilled doctor. She helped develop the vaccine. Keep her alive….if at all possible."

"Yes Sir. And how should we handle the residents if they are seen?" the guard asked.

"I don't see any need to raise alarm to everyone. I will gather the Sovereigns and we will handle things from there."

The guard left purposefully. Landry still felt weak but he knew what he had to do. He picked up the phone and made a short call. "Gather the group. Meet in my office in 5 minutes."

This gave him enough time to have another brandy and to get his head back in the game. He had a rare moment of weakness with Anya and he wouldn't let that happen again. He couldn't. They had too much at stake here.

He had to carefully choose which information he would allow his chosen leaders to have. He feared the group's increasing hunger for knowledge would push him to the edge.