Hey guys! Long time no see am I right? XDD So yes. Sorry for taking so long to get the next chapter up. I've had a lot of stuff going on in my personal life. From my family starting a horse carriage business to us breeding out mare it's been an exciting summer. However I am all inspired and ready to get writing! I actually have the next chapter already started so hopefully you guys won't have to wait so long.

However like always I need to ask your opinion on something!
Lately I've been having to redo all my character profiles. My original laptop with all my story info on it actually crashed and I lost all of Morgans back story. -_- SO! While I was working on redoing all her info I found the Prototype Wiki. They have some really interesting stuff on there about Alex and his entire back story that I'm tempted to use but...here's the thing.

Is. It. TRUE?

If you guys would check it out I would be forever grateful. I want to make my readers happy after and so I don't want to put in backstory that's not true. So! Check it out, go to the wiki and tell me what you think! Should we take what is there as the truth or just stick to what we know from the game?

As always much love!

~Primal 3

Once the 7 nightmarish days were up a problem arose. Morgan was out of sick days and couldn't skip out on work without arising suspicion. To make matters worse she really hadn't made any breakthroughs in regards to Alex's condition which only lead to him throwing a bit of a 'hissy fit' come Monday morning.

"Alex you can't just keep me here locked up." Morgan reasoned as she finished getting ready. She came out of her bathroom, hair finally brushed and spotting the man by her dresser. "I have friends you know…a life. People will come check on me and Gentek won't let me just drop off the radar. I happen to be apart of several high up projects." She said with a rather snide tone. However she was a little surprised to see him smirk, even chuckle lowly before repeating 'high up' to himself. Morgan scowled, huffing then as she moved to head down and maybe grab a bite to eat. Alex blurred as he jolted to the door and blocked her path.

"Ug MOVE!" She growled, glaring up at him.

"If you say anything to anyone…."

"Psh, yeah right." Morgan laughed. "And even if I did, which I won't, it's not like anyone would believe me." She reasoned, pushing past him once he gave her enough space to do so. He would just watch her go, his glare still holding that irritated anger he had towards the whole situation. This women was supposed to be good at her job. Why was it taking so long! Below Morgan would throw in a hot pocket, heating it up before taking it with her to the couch. She settled for the time being then turned on the TV. When she hit the power button on the remote though nothing happened, the box in front of her just stayed black. Sighing she tried hitting the button again. Still nothing. She groaned some and then turned the remote over to check the batteries. They were still there and she had just put new ones in… Sighing she got up, deciding she could always turn it on by hand. She hit the power button before frowning.

"What the hell…" She hit the button some more before hissing and pulling the TV back from the wall to check the plug. It was hanging from the wall, the women's expression turning very un-amused.

"Oh Alex!" She called with an almost too pleasant tone. She quickly plugged the TV back in and moved to sit back down. He had been headed down and she had caught him at the bottom of the stairs.

"What?"

"Is there some reason you unplugged the TV?" She asked as she turned it on and settled back with her Hot Pocket.

"It was annoying me…plus there's never anything good on." He huffed as he came into the living room too.

"Psh…ain't that the truth…" She snorted to the second half. After channel flipping for a few seconds she stopped on the news and settled back. She didn't notice Alex tense to the side though, especially when the NYC report came on…

"In other news still no major progress to report in the clean up effort at NYC. Reports now are coming in that hordes of dead and mutated fish are starting to show up along the harbor shores. Experts believe this is due to the radiation emitted by the nuclear explosion some years ago…"

"No shit Sherlock!" Morgan snorted before throwing a hand at the TV. "Geez…a bunch of geniuses am I right?" She laughed as she looked to Alex. She raised an eye though, noticing that he was staring at the floor and those freaky tendrils were flicking around him.

"Er….are you okay..?"

"Turn it off….just…shut it off." He seethed, shaking some. Morgan blinked in shock at that and rushed to change the channel.

"Whoa. Whoa…just...calm down. Look the channel is changed…it's…Martha Stewart baking a cake…" She blinked before laughing some. What was the luck of finding that? She would sit back in the couch then, hurrying to finish her Hot Pocket. By the time it was done she looked back to check on Alex. He wasn't behind the couch anymore, rather he was sitting at the dinning room table. He wasn't shaking anymore but he did have his head in his hands and was breathing a bit heavily. Morgan just chose to leave this alone, rising and moving carefully through the house for the rest of the morning. When it was time to leave for work he was still there, sitting with his had down and his breathing heavy.

"I erm…I'm leaving for work…okay?" She said gently, waiting for some sort of response. He didn't move, he just continued to sit and breathe. "Well….right….bye…." She sighed as she headed away and to the door. She grabbed her keys, scarf and gloves before heading out the door. She shuddered some as she felt the air hit her face, shocked at just how cold it was out there. Had it always been this cold? Of course she hadn't been outside in a week…at least not far outside. Picking up the occasional take out delivery had been as far as she'd gotten.

Heading to work was sickeningly exciting, the women horrified that she was as thrilled to walk through those doors. She made sure to hang her coat by the door, nodding to several other people who greeted her and welcomed her back. Even the security guard at the front desk welcomed her back. Heading up to the third floor she changed into her lab attire, giggling stupidly at the geeky white coat she slipped on. She even tied her hair back and made sure to stuff a pair of gloves in her lab coat pocket. Strapping her goggles to her head she made sure to clip her ID card on as well. With the outfit complete she headed back out to find the second pair of elevators that took her up to the higher floors were the labs were.

"Morning….morning…" She greeted, nodding her head to a few people. Not moments later though all formalities disappeared when someone spotted her…

"Mmmooorrrgggaannn!" Cadence screeched as she came running down the hallway. Morgan just laughed, shaking her head some before pushing past a few people to be in the front of the elevator. After getting some angry comments shot her way she realized Cadence wasn't going to make it to the elevator before the doors closed.

"Hold the elevator!" She called, Morgan attempting to do so. However everyone else in the elevator began to shout and even toss a few foul words Morgan's way.

"Alright, alright! Geesh…" Morgan growled, stepping out and letting the elevator doors close on up. She shook her head, mumbling something about impatience before she realized how loud Cadence's footsteps were.

"Ohhh shit." She laughed, bracing herself as the girl came slamming into her and stole a hug. She almost ended up on her butt from the hit, the pair both stumbling back and hitting the elevator doors.

"I missed you so much! I'm sooo happy you're better! You look great." She giggled as looked her over.

"Well I may have some broken ribs now...maybe a punctured lung from that impact. Good god women." Morgan laughed as they both got settled on their feet again.

"Oh stop it…" She snorted before looking at the elevator doors. "Sorry for making you miss the ride up."

"Oh it will be back soon enough." Morgan reasoned with a wave of her hand. "Plus it gives me time to catch up with you." She pointed out, causing Cadence to giggle and hug her again. Oh yes…the girl was definitely going to be a blabber mouth...

Back at the apartment Alex was getting over the strange panic attack that had shaken him earlier. Why…why did seeing that, remembering the outbreak caused all those voices to start speaking? It never failed that every time the news came on and New York was mentioned they started…all those voices starting to talk, shout and scream. With Morgan gone plus the silence of the house he was able to recover and all the voices all hushed. When he was sure things were back to normal, or at least as normal as things could be for him, he rose and began to walk around once more. The house seemed different when she wasn't around, almost empty and without a life or purpose. After awhile he found himself by the goldfish again, watching as they swam about and danced. It wasn't fair how peaceful life was for them. Without a care or worry in the world except to keep swimming and maybe wonder when they would have food again. If they remembered at least. He smirked at the thought, finding it beyond pathetic that he was envying the small, insignificant fish. What he wouldn't give to just….forget.

With a snarl he moved away from the creatures, eyes looking around the hall of the apartment. Even though he had been there for a week now he hadn't actually explored it all that much. After all Morgan had to be kept in line and focused on her work. As he moved down the hall he realized the walls were thickly covered in framed photos. He snorted some as he began to look over a few. He never understood why adults kept pictures of themselves as kids, it was weird in his opinion. However Morgan did, a few scattered about of her with who he guessed were her parents. As he moved down the line she aged in the photos and soon it was a shot of her at high school graduation. Her diploma was beside and the school tassel was hanging by the frame. He let his fingers brush through the soft strings before taking another step. The next few photo's were more obviously ones of college, shots of her in a dorm and with groups of girls. One in particular grabbed his attention, enough so that he stopped in his tracks to look at it. Morgan was in the shot, she was the focus of it actually but it was the other person in the shot that drew his eyes. She was laying in the arms of a man, but not just any man but one in a very recognizable army uniform. She was laughing, an arm around his neck as he held her bridal style in front of some sort of brick building. He was smiling too, maybe even laughing. Beside that photo was another of the same pair. This time though Morgan was on her feet but tucked in close to his side. She had stolen his cap and had it on her head but pulled down as she looked up from under the brim suggestively. The man had his arm around her, an amused expression on his face and his eyes caught in a roll.

Who was this guy? Her friend? Boyfriend? Husband? He hadn't seen a ring on her hand…then again he hadn't really been looking. He sighed, looking between the shots as he tried to figure it out. Maybe this was the guy whose cloths she had loaned him so maybe they were still in touch. Sighing he moved on, trying to forget the pictures. He saw more of her on a campus, with friends and finally with another diploma. He was shocked when he saw a framed Ph. D by the diploma and another tassel. There was no way though! It took around ten to twelve years to get a Ph. D for most things but Morgan didn't look a day over 22...how was that possible?

"She can't be that smart…" He snorted to himself, rolling his eyes as he turned away from the pictures and headed back towards the living room. He took a seat on the couch, sighing as he looked around bored. He was tempted to go out but he was trying to keep his presence unknown to as many people as he could. After all the town was small and new comers were probably noticeable. His eyes soon scanned over the two file cabinets by the computer and desk. He had to wonder….did Morgan only keep work papers in there or could he snoop into her schooling too. After all…this was the women who was trying to cure him after all...

By lunch times things were just like normal. Of course Morgan was still a bit moody over how all her sick and vacation days were used up and cold season was still alive and well. After several co-workers made some jokes one could almost say she was in a bad mood. However Cadence offered to take her out to lunch and the prospect of that had her in better spirits. As the lunch period started Morgan hurried to go and change so they could head out. On her way there though she was stopped by the directors secretary.

"Mr. Donovan wishes to see you." She hummed happily. Morgan would sigh then before thanking her. She would have to message Cadence and let her know she could be late…

Mr. Donovan was, for a lack of fancy words, Morgan's boss. He ran the Maryland branch and signed everyone's paychecks. He was a nice enough man of 43 who was around 5' 11'' but his black hair had started to gray a little of late. Morgan hadn't actually seen the man since he hired her some years ago and her intuition suspected this would be about her sick days…

Taking another, special elevator Morgan would head up to the top floor. Still dressed in her lab attire she took a seat outside the mans office. His secretary, who had come up with her, had informed her he was in a meeting with a few 'important people' and would only have to wait for a little while.

Morgan planned on just waiting but as the minutes ticked by even her holy patience started to wear out. Leaning back in her chair she looked for a magazine but even those seemed to be missing. Sighing more heavily she crossed her leg and started to bounce her foot. She was going to miss her entire lunch break at this rate. When the door to Mr. Donovan's office finally opened she jumped and scrambled to sit up properly. She tried not to eavesdrop since who ever he had been meeting with was still talking but it was a little hard not to.

"We just wanted to let you know sir. The threat is probably minimal." Spoke a voice that sounded almost like someone on a radio. That had her interested so Morgan pretended to look at her nails while watching out of her peripheral vision.

"Yes well…tell your commander that I appreciate the notice. We'll keep an eye out and let you folks know if anything happens." Mr. Dovovan's voice replied. Finally the mystery guests exited the office and their appearance startled Morgan. Both were dressed head to two in black. Both covered in thick, armor like padding and wearing tough military style boots. What was more startling though were their faces that were covered by frightening gas masks that looked bizarrely modified. Who the hell were they! Why where they there talking to Mr. Donovan…

"Ah Ms. Miller! There you are." Her bosses voice snapped her eyes away from the disappearing men and focused on her boss.

"I came as soon as I was told sir." She said as she rose and offered him a hand. He shook it and smiled as he invited her into the office.

"So…this is just a minor inquiry I have so don't worry." He began as he sat back in his large plush chair. The office was lavish and just like the offices in movies. It was almost too cliché for Morgan. The overly tall ceilings and bookshelves that went to the roof, the large rug and even the glistening desk that was probably made out of some ultra rare Amazon tree were all in their place. As she moved to sit across from his desk she tried to believe what he said and just nodded. Her heart was still a little off as she waited and laced her hands in her lap.

"So I have here…" He sighed as he pulled some papers up and put on his reading glasses. "That you were just out sick for this past week?" He asked as he looked up over the rims of glasses.

"Oh yes sir." Morgan nodded. "I felt rather awful and I didn't want to spread my cold. In addition I didn't want to contaminate any of the projects." She added, figuring it wouldn't hurt to brown nose just a little. Mr. Donovan nodded then, putting his glasses back on top of his head before looking at her.

"Very well. I just wanted to let you know that you've used up all your sick and personal days for the year and considering it's January I would caution you." He explained. "If you miss any other days, regardless of the circumstances, you will have a pay reduction." Morgan nodded this time, having already known this.

"I understand sir." She replied, eyes still watching him.

"Very well then. That was all." He sighed, giving a wave of his hand. "Try to stay well." He added, offering her a small smile.

"Thank you." Morgan smiled as well before heading out of his office. Well that had been simple enough and completely without reason. Hell she had known that! Once outside she glanced to the clock over the secretaries desk.

"God Dammit!" She groaned, realizing that the whole affair had taken 40 minutes. She had ten minutes left to her lunch break now and there was no catching Cadence. Well…maybe she could find something in one of the vending machines that could hold her over. After all she only had…five more hours of work….

When work was finally over Morgan felt like she was dead on her feet. The snack machine had proved to be practically useless and the bag of Chex Mix had not been enough. When five o'clock rolled around she was rushing out of that building at top speed. However it was in the elevator that things slowed down again and this time Cadence managed to catch her before the doors shut.

"Hey Mor- Whoa you look…exhausted…" She laughed weakly as she came in and stood beside her.

"Tell me about it. Mr. D called me in to tell me something I already knew and I missed lunch. Sorry about that by the way." She sighed before offering her a weak smile.

"Hey it's okay. I figured he was going to call you up to talk to you." She reasoned with a shrug. "Oh! BUT! I have fantastic news!" She giggled as she faced her.

"Uh oh…what this time? Did Bradgelina break up?" Morgan teased.

"Uh, no." Cadence snorted. "Please…if that had happened do you think I'd be here talking to you?"

"Oh gee thanks." Morgan laughed, leaning back against the wall some.

"But no…you'll never guess…..Guess."

"Cadence come'on…I'm lucky I'm still walking." Morgan whined.

"Fine, fine.." Cadence paused then and Morgan guessed it was for dramatic effect but it was wearing on her.

"Cadence….this year please?"

"Heheheh sorry. I'm just…I'm excited!" She reasoned. "I got a Promotion!" She finally gasped then.

"Oh my god! Cadence I'm soo happy for you!" Morgan beamed as she moved to hug her tight. "When did this happen! What position do you have?" She asked as they separated.

"Well I'm no longer an assistant to you top dogs." She began. "But I'm actually an overseer to all Sector C projects." She beamed happily.

"Whoa…holy crap Cadence…that's huge." Morgan gasped. Sector C was one sector below the classified projects, it was the one that she herself worked in. "So are you like…my boss now?" She laughed.

"No not quiet. I'm just going to be in charge of making sure everyone is on track and doing what they're supposed to. I report to someone else…umm…I think Mr. D said I report to the Executive Project manager." She added with a shrug. "But I'll get to come in the labs and watch you guys work! I'm pretty excited."

"Just try not to break anything." Morgan laughed teasingly before adding a Congrats. "Ahhh man…I can't mess around anymore. Damn." She grinned.

"Nope. Sure can't." Cadence nodded before standing proudly. The pair both laughed then before heading on out of the elevator and starting for the front door.

"I'll see you later Cadence. Maybe we can go celebrate?" Morgan offered as she held her coat around her more.

"Why not go tonight?" Her friend asked then.

"I um…" She needed an excuse…and not a half ass one either. "I don't think tonight would be good Cadence…I'm still getting better after all." She figured that would work.

"Oh, well…okay." Cadence smiled. "Hey maybe I can come over to your place-"

"NO!" Well crap, she hadn't meant to yell like that. "No…erm..I still have nasty snot tissues everywhere Cadence. I have to clean and just…I don't want to get you sick." She offered with the best smile she could mange.

"It's okay. I understand Morgan." Cadence smiled. "I WILL see you later though." She said, pointing at her playfully. Morgan laughed some too before nodding.

"It's a promise." She agreed. The pair would go their separate ways though Morgan's mind was on food.

Considering there was a Subway on the way home she figured she would stop there. She almost took the sandwich to go but the idea of eating without piercing eyes staring her down was too nice to pass up. So she took her time, relaxing in the store as she ate and listened to the over played pop music coming over the speakers. Finally satiated she began the dreaded walk home. Really all she wanted to do was head home and collapse in bed but she had a feeling her mighty overlord wouldn't allow for it. As she began to think about him, that mornings events came back into focus. He sure had reacted so strongly to the news coming on…it had even been strange for him. Was it something a reporter had said or was it the topic in general. A shiver of unease passed through her then, starting to wonder and dread…was he….he wasn't a victim of the New York attack was he? What more was he a result of the radiation or the virus…? Either one terrified her, enough that as she neared her apartment she was tempted to turn and run. Why return in the first place! She was free, finally free….she could run right then and be rid of this whole mess. Of course she'd probably loose her home…and what if this guy couldn't be stopped? He was a god damn shape shifter after all. As these toughts vanished away she realized she was at the door. She pulled her keys from her pocket then and noticed her that her shaking hand was hesitating by the lock. Was she insane for going back? Well yes…but…did she have a choice?

No.

Groaning she went ahead and put her key into the door, unlocking it and heading in. She paused for a moment, looking around and wondering if he had maybe left. As nice as it would have been she doubted it was going to be that easy.

"Erm….I'm back!" She called, listening in then for any sign of him. At first there was nothing, more silence before she heard the rustling of papers. Raising an eye she started down the hall towards her living room. She noticed a low one that was on in the room as well as the TV.

When she first entered she saw that the screen was on but the sound was muted. However Alex was in an unusual place. The man was loaming over her dining room table which had been buried under piles and piles of paper and folders. At first she was at a loss to where it had all come from but then her eyes caught the mostly empty file cabinets beside her computer desk. He had SNOOPED! She had left him there alone and he'd broken into her personal files!

Giving a huff she started over, arms crossed as she mustered up some anger. How DARE he! However when she neared she realized her personal files were buried deep and what he was looking at were news articles. Dozens and dozens of clippings were spread around and were all about the same thing.

'New York suffers from Biological Terrorist attack'. 'Deadly virus continues to win in Manhattan'. 'Thousands suspected dead in NYC attack'. 'Island quarantined, Military forces take control'.

For a time Morgan had followed the attack with intense focus but as of late she had been less interested. One could only take so much the news after all. However her eyes soon looked up at Alex who still hadn't even acknowledged she had returned at all. He seemed a bit off, almost like a deer caught in headlights. How long had he been standing there like that?

"Alex…?" Morgan asked softly, hoping not to startle him. The gentle method seemed to work this time and he turned to look at her. His eyes seemed a bit unfocused though, as if he wasn't completely there. Morgan looked from him to the articles then, her own eyes widening some. He…she just…she had a feeling..

"You were there…you saw what happened….didn't you?" She asked softly as she moved over to look over some of the old stories herself. He watched her, eyes still clearing before he looked to the article he had in his hands.

"Yes...I was..."