Chapter 5: Love rhymes with fuck you

I am not hallucinating, I am awake and this is real, Hunnigan thought as she watched the soldiers make their way into the building through the underground parking garage. She typed in a few commands to unlock the doors and make their journey a bit easier.

Thirty-six days, that was how long the siege had lasted. The last two days she'd had company at least, but as much as she'd wanted to, she had not been quite able to shake the off her suspicions regarding Helena. Unfortunately, Hunnigan was terrible at hiding that fact too, Helena was more than aware of being watched with a suspicious eye. She'd tried pretending it didn't bother her –why would it bother her, she had nothing to hide... but even so, she hated having her motives questioned. It was beyond insulting.

"Leon..." Hunnigan muttered, reaching to put her hand over his forearm as she was being transported on a stretcher toward the triage despite her adamant objections to being hauled around. Yes, she was injured and yes it hurt, but she was able to walk just fine.

"What's up?" he asked with a tiny smile and leaned closer.

"I want you to download some files from my post. I've not pieced it all together yet, but I might have an idea of what happened and who was involved. I just need my files... I need to make sure they're... that nothing happens to them," she murmured and glanced at Helena who stood further away, helping the medical team set up.

"Sure," Leon nodded.

"Thanks. I locked it, but you should be able to figure out the password," she smirked before the two men continued moving her away. Leon headed upstairs and toward Hunnigan's post, randomly tapping at the various keyboards to bring alive the computer Hunnigan had been talking about. He moused over the password hint and frowned.

Your nickname for me followed by round numbers plus five.

"Seriously? You could've just told me," Leon muttered as he tried to solve the riddle she'd left for him. The first part was easy, it could be nothing other than "Hunny-Bunny", which was what he'd called her only once, not just because of her name but also because he'd witnessed her consume ridiculous amounts of dry roasted honey flavored peanuts when she'd quit smoking. She'd threatened to give his email address to every spambot in the galaxy if he ever called her that again.

The rest of the riddle made no sense whatsoever though.

"Unless..." Leon muttered quietly. It wasn't tens, hundreds or thousands Hunnigan had meant with round numbers, she'd meant the actual shape of the numbers. He typed out the password followed by a series of numbers that any adolescent was familiar with, 80085... also known as the code to spell "boobs" on a calculator.

Welcome, the computer screen read as the password was accepted.

"You have the weirdest sense of humor. I love you, Hunny-Bunny," Leon laughed a little and sought the files Hunnigan had wanted him to copy for her. As he was copying them, he took a moment to browse through some of them.

It was a timeline, extremely detailed, meticulously pieced together from scattered surveillance images across the country and from field reports. Incidents in contradiction with confirmed reports, such as the subjects reporting in saying they were at location A when they were actually at Z, highlighted in red. There were quite a few. Some could be mistakes, simple errors people were prone to make when disoriented and in the middle of chaos. But not all.

While he could see the intent behind the timeline, Leon couldn't quite interpret it. Looking at it, Leon felt the same way he felt like when he tried reading a foreign language he was kind of familiar with; he'd catch a few pieces here and there, but the ultimate meaning of the sentence eluded him.

Leon did notice a lot of familiar names. The ones that were in red or orange had little to no meaning now, the current status of those agents was listed as "deceased". But what really stood out was Helena's name. It had no color code at all.

Why? It's not that Hunnigan didn't have the time to code it, Leon frowned, leaning his chin into his fist as he stared at the timeline, trying to decode it in vain. Hunnigan was too meticulous and precise for it to be an oversight, there had to be a reason.

Might as well ask Hunnigan myself, he shrugged once the files were transferred. He logged out and pocketed the flash drive before heading out.

"These video files are from the locations of where the initial missiles containing the virus were launched. These are our agents in those locations, lying about their whereabouts during that time. Which explains how the virus was spread so widely so quickly, we're not talking about a group of disgruntled amateurs, we're talking about a well-funded and capable group," Hunnigan explained to the director as she guided him through the timeline she'd put together.

"I know. And if it weren't for your efforts, we probably wouldn't have a damn clue. You did good," he smiled and squeezed her shoulder a little.
"I don't need thanks, I just want to see that this won't happen again, I won't..."

"Hunnigan, trust me. It's being taken care of. Right now, you need to concentrate on getting better. You got shot, for Christ's sakes."
"I doubt I'm the only one who's gotten shot recently," she grumbled.

"Maybe, but you're one of our best assets and I need you functional, and to ensure that, I'm ordering you to take some time off," he said, his voice stern but gentle at the same time. Hunnigan sighed. She supposed he was right, and she didn't have much choice anyway. As much as she hated lying here, unable to do anything, she knew there wasn't much she could do. The director turned to leave, nodded a silent greeting to Leon as they passed each other when Leon entered the mess hall that had been transformed into a medical bay of sorts.

"How ya holdin' up?" Leon asked Hunnigan and sat down by the bed.
"I wish people would stop asking me that," she sighed.

"You should enjoy it while you can, lie back and relax a bit," he chuckled and she shook her head.
"Lying around doing nothing is the opposite of relaxing to me, especially when I know what kind of a clusterfuck we have to deal with."

"I get it, but give it a try. Once you gotta start dealing with that clusterfuck, you won't have another chance to take a break," Leon grinned and she let out a little laugh.
"I suppose you're right," she nodded, "Have you seen Helena?" she then inquired.

"Yeah, she's working with the medics, she seems to be doing okay."
"Hm."

"She's busy," he shrugged and Hunnigan offered a lopsided smile. They both knew that wasn't it. They both knew she was avoiding Hunnigan because she was more than just a bit upset with the older woman.
"So, why didn't her name have a color in your fancy timeline?" Leon inquired then.

"Because I couldn't confirm or deny anything. There were too many variables, too many unasnwered questions, it could've gone either way. Hell, I think it still could."
"You don't really believe that, do you?" he frowned.
"It doesn't matter what I believe."

Helena yawned deeply and rubbed her eyes. She'd been out the entire day, helping with the doctors and soldiers to set up a triage at the HQ and to spread the word of the vaccine, and then to help vaccinate the people who'd come over. The mess that had been a zombie apocalypse was being cleaned up quickly and neatly. Even the moles within the D.S.O. were being dealt with, thanks to Hunnigan's timeline. Not that there were many to deal with anymore, majority of the careless, greedy idiots had gotten themselves killed in the incident they'd helped make possible. When asked why and don't you care, the response was so unsurprising it was downright pathetic.

Why should I care, once I got paid, it made no difference to me what was done afterward.

It was over, things were getting back to normal. Helena knew she should've been glad. But she wasn't. She was agitated.

"I'm so fucking fed up with all the fucking bullshit and the fucking audacity of..!" she growled loudly and repeatedly punched her fists into the thin pillow on the bunk bed.
"Just ouf curiosity, have you ever been to anger management classes?" Leon inquired from behind her. She sighed loudly. She'd thought she was alone.

"No offense, but fuck off, Leon."
"I'll take that as a no," he commented cheerily and walked to stand by the bunk and leaned his shoulder against the wall.

"You need something or you just here for the show?" Helena quirked an eyebrow and he chuckled.
"Hunnigan asked about you," he shrugged.

"What does she want to blame on me now, the great Coca Cola-conspiracy?" Helena scoffed and fluffed the pillow agitatedly before tossing it back onto the bunk and slumping to sit down on the edge.
"If anything, I think she wants to apologize to you."

"Well, isn't that nice," Helena snorted.
"Considering how you were in such a hurry to get back here to her, I would've imagined you'd be more eager to spend time with her," Leon trailed off slowly.

"That was before she waved a shotgun at me and questioned me," Helena narrowed her eyes and Leon nodded, raising his hands a little in a surredering gesture.
"Yes, but in her defense, she'd been holed up here alone for a month, and she was right about our agents being involved," he said and Helena let out an exasperated sigh.

"That's not the point!"
"Geez, you're behaving like you've never had your feelings hurt before."

"This time I didn't deserve it."
"Well, I can't argue with the lack of logic in that," Leon commented sarcastically.

"There'll be an internal investigation and I'll be scrutinized again, and all just because Hunnigan questioned my integrity! And she had no fucking genuine reason to doubt me!"

"Helena, we're all being scrutinized because of the rogue agents. If not Hunnigan, then someone else would've put it together eventually and the situation would be the same, you shouldn't blame her. Why are you really so pissed off at her?" Leon questioned with a frown and crossed his arms over his abdomen.

"I'd be just as pissed off at anyone else," Helena shook her head.
"Really? Because from where I am standing, you appear to be taking this rather personally."

"Fine, maybe I am!" Helena spat furiously, "Out of all the people in the world, I thought she would have faith in me! I trust her with my life on a daily basis and realizing that she can put me up on a list of suspects without even batting an eye really fucking hurts!"

"You're not being fair, she put a lot of people on that list."
"Did she now? And what was your rank, did you make it to top ten?" Helena quirked an eyebrow. Leon's silence was an answer enough. She scoffed and rolled her eyes at him. Of course he wasn't on the list.

"That's different. We've been friends for almost a decade, that's a long time to have worked together and built trust. You on the other hand have been around for what, two years or so? And during that short time, you have been involved in a terrorist attack!" Leon argued and Helena narrowed her eyes at him.

"I was coerced, it's not like I fucking wanted it to happen!" she yelled at him and he sighed.
"My point is that contrary to what you seem to think, Hunnigan did have a legitimate reason to have some doubts. Frankly, I'd question Hunnigan's competency if she hadn't considered the possibility."

"What, so now you're doubting me too?" she scoffed.

"No, but I can see why she had to put you on that list. I would've done the same and if the roles were reversed, you would've too," Leon reasoned. Helena opened her mouth to continue arguing with him, but realized she had no more arguments left. He was right.

Hunnigan had to admit she was more than a little amazed to find her house still standing and apart from a couple of broken windows, undamaged. She made a mental note to give a praising review to the company that had installed and manufactured the safety bars on the windows and in front of the door. Of course, they hadn't kept the house from being broken into completely. With chaos and no need to worry about getting caught, someone had taken the time to force their way in through the front door. Hunnigan prepared to find chaos and destruction inside, but was once again taken by surprise. It wasn't anywhere near as bad as she'd expected.

I wonder if my insurance policy covers zombie apocalypses, she mused as she stepped in and pushed the door shut behind her. It didn't lock properly anymore, but she'd deal with that later. Aside from the thick layers of dust on flat surfaces, the house was surprisingly tidy considering the circumstances.

Strange, she thought and circled through downstairs to make sure it was actually empty. She passed the living room and into the kitchen, moving forward to take a look into the laundry room. Nothing and no one so far. As she turned back, she noticed the piece of paper on the kitchen counter. It was message left for her, written with a messy and hurried handwriting.

Dear owner, me and my husband Robert took refuge in your house after our apartment building was overrun. We didn't steal anything, but we did chase away some looters. I did have to break a window during a siege, sorry about that. I hope you'll get to read this and are okay. The soldiers are telling us to go to the triage at that government agency building near Freedom plaza. Maybe we'll run into each other there. Again, sorry about the window and thanks for reinforcing your house, it undoubtedly saved us. Regards, Steve Cortinas.

"Huh," Hunnigan let out a tiny laugh. While knowing that there'd been other people living in her house, essentially invading her personal space, made her a bit uncomfortable, she had to consider herself fortunate. Out of all the people who could've stayed here, she'd been lucky enough to end up having her house occupied by a decent couple whose worst indiscretion was breaking a window as they'd defended themselves.

"Well ain't that something?" she asked out loud from herself.
"Yes it is, other Hunnigan, yes it is," she nodded.

"Still talking to yourself. First sign of maddness, isn't it?"
"No, hearing voices in the night is the first sign of madness. Don't question me," she shook her head and grabbed the empty laundry basket before heading upstairs. She then proceeded to remove the bed sheets and pillow cases and threw them into the basket.

"Nothing quite makes things feel normal as having to do chores," she muttered as she headed back downstairs. Her side stung as she carried the basket even though it was rather light. She wondered how long it would take to recover from it fully. She'd heard stories of people needing years to heal... granted, the stories had been about people who'd suffered more serious injuries. Hers was a neat puncture through some flesh, no internal damage, surely it would not need months.

Hunnigan checked the lights and nodded approvingly when they lit up just fine, there was still power. She then checked the faucet in the kitchen. It made a bit of a gargling sound and the initial stream of water had a bit of a rusty color, but it cleared out after letting it run a few moments. She filled a glass and held it under her nose, inhaling deeply. Nothing. She wasn't quite brave enough to have a taste, for all she knew there could be bodies floating in the tanks at the water treatment plant where her tap water came from.

"Then again, let's be honest, that was a possibility even before the zombies," she shrugged one shoulder.
"...maybe, but I'm a lot happier not knowing for sure and would've appreciated being able to not think about it, thanks a lot, other Hunnigan," she sighed and poured the water down the sink.

Deciding it was good enough for at least washing up, she went to do the laundry and continued cleaning up. Having to be careful not to make too abrupt movements to keep from popping her stitches made the simple chores surprisingly time consuming, but it wasn't like she was in a hurry to go anywhere. When everything was done, she paused to examine her handiwork and nodded.

"And just like that, you'd never know the world was turned upside down until a couple of days ago," she mumbled and went to take a shower.

Helena eyed the house and contemplated on whether to knock on the door or not. She knew she needed to talk with Hunnigan and that she probably owed the intelligence liaison an apology, but at the same time, she felt awkward, a bit embarrassed and still slightly miffed. Although, now she was more annoyed at herself for getting so damn emotional in the first place. Helena squared her shoulders and knocked.

She paused for a moment when she was greeted by Hunnigan, her hair still dripping with water over the shoulders of her dark gray bathrobe.

"I can... come back later if this is a bad time," was all she managed to say. Hunnigan shook her head a little and stepped aside, silently inviting Helena in. The younger woman accepted the invitation.
"I came to, uh... apologize. And to bring some supplies, I wasn't sure if..." she trailed off, shrugging the backpack from her shoulder and proceeded to unzip it.

"I know you said you never want to see survival food kits again, but until your friendly neighborhood corner store is open for business again, this'll have to do," she said, offering a lopsided smile.
"I appreciate it," Hunnigan chuckled.

"There's potato soup... some mac 'n' cheese... broccoli and rice... and something that's probably meant to be like a milkshake, but I have some serious doubts about that," Helena listed as she rummaged through the backpack, kind of delaying having to start a serious conversation.

"Thank you," Hunnigan nodded again. They stood in silence for a while until Helena cleared her throat awkwardly and pushed the tips of her fingers into her pockets, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet as she tried to decide should she stay or should she go.

"I wanted to apologize. I was out of line getting so pissed off at you. You did what you had to do," she finally said.
"I did, and I took no pleasure in it, truly. For what it's worth, I'm sorry I doubted you. I was wrong."

"Okay. I guess it'll take more time for me to convince you that you can trust me."
"Continue proving me wrong and you'll have earned my trust in no time," Hunnigan jested a little and Helena let out an amused scoff.

"I'll do that. I should get out of your hair," she then said and took a step toward the door.
"Actually, I'd honestly rather not be alone right now. Would you stay with me for a while?"

"...sure," Helena nodded.
"Also, please don't take this the wrong way, but you reek."

"It's been a busy few days, excuse me for perspiring a little," Helena quirked an eyebrow and Hunnigan chuckled.
"You're excused, but what I'm saying is, feel free to take a shower. The water's lukewarm at best, but it's still pretty damn good," she smiled.

"An actual shower with warm running water, now there's an offer I simply can't refuse," Helena sighed dreamily.