A/N: I'm back! The next little arc may get a little confusing, but I will try my darndest to explain what seems out of place or just strange. The next chapters will be short, just as a warning.

Disclaimer: Sick is no fun. It rates right up there with getting an F on a paper and being fired.

Learning to Breathe

Chapter Thirteen: Outbreak!

The day after the handgun lesson, the kids had gathered in the rec room for a 'meeting' of sorts. Mainly, the team discussions consisted of what to wear, who needed uniforms, and how bad the cafeteria food was. However, Bryan brought something completely new to the table this morning.

"Is it hot in here?" Bryan groaned as Andi and Kristen played speed on a nearby table.

"Temp seems fine to me." Kris shrugged.

"You don't look so good." Andi said, looking up from her game long enough for her opponent to slap down the rest of her cards.

"Speed!" Kristen grinned.

"Whatever." Andi rolled her eyes. "I mean it, Ry. I think you should see the medic.

"Oh no." Kristen groaned. "You've got the spots!"

"The what now?" Mitch asked.

"Now you've got them too? Oh boy." Andi groaned.

"Oh no, no, no!" Neal paled. "Not again! No more hallucinations!"

"I don't think you can get it again." Andi said. "We would have all gotten it in the lab twice if that were true."

"Gotten what?" Regan asked, her face covered in pink and purple spots.

"Shit." Andi hissed.

"That's right, I forgot!" Kristen exclaimed. "You weren't in our block yet when it went around last time."

"What went around?" Regan asked. "What's wrong with us?"

"The ones in our block call it the Spots." Kristen sighed. "It comes in three stages of symptoms, and as far as we know, you can't get it again, but it spreads like wildfire among mutants."

"Which is exactly why I'm telling Zartan about this." Andi said. "I bet he knows exactly what's going on, and besides, we'll need his help when they reach stage two."

"Indeed." Neal nodded. "Be my guest!"

XXXXXXXXXXX

Zartan was looking over some of the team progress forms when Atlantis burst into his makeshift office.

"We got a problem!" She shouted upon entering.

"For the last time, I will not referee the battle for the remote!" He exclaimed.

"A serious problem." Andi said. "Ry, Mitch, and Reg have the spots!"

Spots? What the hell? He thought. "What?"

"Come on, we don't have a lot of time!" Andi said. "We gotta tranquilize them before they start tearing the base apart!"

"Take me to them." He sighed, rising from his seat. Following her to the rec room, he stepped through the doors, and then wished he hadn't.

"Oh dear lord, it's Mutant Pox!" He exclaimed.

"So that's what it's called." Kristen shouted. "I knew there had to be a better name for it than 'the Spots'!"

"You've had it?" Zartan blinked.

"Kris, Neal an' I all got it in the labs." Andi explained. "Regan wasn't in our containment block yet, which is why she didn't get it until now."

"Is this serious?" Mitch asked.

"Depends on your definition." Zartan groaned. "All three of you, to the medical wing! Move it! I'll tell the medics you're on your way."

"Okay." Ry moaned as he and the others walked out.

"Medical bay, this is Zartan." The lone adult shouted into the communicator. "We have three patients on your way."

"What is the emergency?" A female voice inquired.

"I hope you have plenty of tranquilizers handy." Zartan replied. "We've got Mutant Pox."