"Martha told you what had happened that night, right? Her experience with the treatment when her body was blasted upon wave after wave of gamma rays...?", Leslie gently asked. Alfred nodded, "Yeah...that it was agonizingly painful, even more than being in labor for hours and all.", with a weary look.
Leslie sighed, "You know that Martha had blood cancer, Alderson's Disease. It was 100% at maximum power for the gamma waves to destroy every molecule of the blood cancer...But now with Waylon, it only has been at least 12 hours since he was attacked, and that he's still a minor of the law...it would be possible that he only has 50% infection or whatever it is, and the gamma rays would be lowered to half power to cure all of that, and perhaps, less agonizing pain, with my calculations, but I need to be really sure, Alfred...Now, may you excuse me? I need complete focus on the lab work and everything to run this.".
"Right... right...", Alfred sighed as he left her to her work while his mind raced with just the thoughts of what might be necessary for Waylon. If need be, would he be able to even hang on like Martha did with her treatment? And was there a chance that he too might have some... serious side effects; perhaps a gamma powered transformation himself?
Alfred went to join the others in distracting Waylon as they talked, helping him catch up since the last call, lasting about 10 minutes before Leslie returned to the group.
"Thankfully, my equipment is still state of the art, and I don't need to worry about having multiple people running around trying to get information back to me.", Leslie said, and then she then took a deep breath, looking at her patient, the son of Alfred, "Waylon... I'm sorry to tell you this... but this is more than a simple infection and just getting some anti-biotics aren't going to be enough.".
Waylon's heart skipped a beat, and whispered, feeling Poppy's hand squeeze and clench into his good hand, "What did I get from that crocodile?".
"Honestly...", Leslie closed her eyes. "I'm not a hundred percent sure what it is; clearly some form of disease that had infected it. I'm sure those that are more familiar with the biology of reptiles would know, but it appears that it is a transmission itself from reptiles into humans... though from the looks of it; it doesn't seem to be spreading to any other humans... just... bad luck with your condition.".
Waylon took a deep breath, "How far am I along?", and Leslie replied, "The airplane medicine and the remedies you had has stabilized the disease, but it's a matter of time before your body doesn't work anymore with the remedies, like too much of the same would numb your body from accepting its potent antibodies...There are many different treatments to mix, to see if your body is compatible to work together to beat the disease...Heck, I don't know if your puking occurrences was rejecting the remedies or just booting out all the food you had.".
"Doctor, get to the point, please.", Waylon was pleading urgently, and Leslie sighed heavily, "With the fact that you were attacked in the bayou, and exposed even with tried clean bandages on your walk back to your home, and the time allotted now since, you are in the yellow zone of the infection getting to your organs, with the red zone on the horizon.".
"Red meaning practically on the verge of being fatal, right?", Waylon sighed as Leslie nodded. "I won't try to blur the truth or anything... if we don't take some... drastic procedures... you will, more than likely, die within a few weeks.", she told him.
Poppy gave a sob, crying as everyone else was shocked silent, and Waylon's heart seemed to clench as he looked at Poppy, and then looked at everyone else.
Waylon, on one hand, would want to reunite with his mother and baby sister, to know Thomas and his grandparents on his mama's side, but on the other hand, he is leaving this incredible group of people who is already calling him family...and he can't leave Poppy especially after he discovered how it finally felt to be kissed and held in bed, to recognize the growing feeling of intimate love...He knew his mama would be lecturing him not to give up, to fight, to live...
He knew how heartbroken Alfred was when he lost Caroline and Jane, next to him, and seeing how far Alfred would do to save Waylon, him, calling him son and everything...
No, he can't afford to break Alfred's heart for the third time, and for Poppy to experience actual heartbreak since she never knew Thomas as he got shot before she was born. Waylon set his jaw, and then looked at Leslie, "By drastic procedures, is the gamma ray waves one of them?".
Leslie gave a small nod, "That's really the only sort of treatment that we could have on the table... and I won't lie... there's a chance it might not work. I will admit, I would give the odds of success somewhat better than what Martha's odds were when I did the treatment with her.".
Martha replied, "Don't forget the potions...Just as bad as cough medicine...but effective to curb everything it did for me, preparing me to take the treatment...".
"That was a few weeks to get you back to full strength to handle it, Martha...But for you, since you came almost immediately within 12 hours of the attack, and since you're empty of food, but only water, and you're not in immediate danger as close as Martha was, Waylon, I could prep one major potion to prepare yourself tonight, if you really want this...".
"Are there any other options?", Alfred asked. "Just to be sure that all this is our only option and that we don't have much of a choice if we want Waylon to live...".
Leslie replied, "Alfred, I know it's hard to hear, but no simple antibodies or your remedies can't cure this, only slowing the progression, while the gamma rays cure everything of the disease...yes, I understand that there is a possibility of having a gamma alter ego like Kel here, but with Waylon's condition, and the disease, it would as well be something else, like say, actually making him look human again like he was when he was little before everything changed with this genetic condition...".
Waylon widened his eyes, "Wait, human again?!", having wished for it like a million times, but it has been a long time since he remembered being a normal boy without being bullied, taunted, and name-calling, and the pictures of his childhood was practically filled in a scrapbook, but since the condition changed everything, it was like he couldn't socialize, to be in pictures again, everything...
Poppy and the others remembered that first year of seeing Waylon having scraps of hair, more human-looking skin and features, but since then, it just disappeared...
"Perhaps... it might not simply cure your infection but also your genetic condition." Leslie explained. "But... I wouldn't hold out as much hope on that; as with the past, the rays seem to be more effective on combating and destroying conditions that poison and destroy the body, and your condition hasn't exactly been causing you much harm, has it?"
"Well... not exactly. Just played hell with me being able to go... anywhere, but it hasn't exactly been hurting me.", Waylon said as Poppy leaned against him.
Poppy replied, "Like I said, I don't care if you are human or not, bald or having hair again, it's you, Waylon, right here, in your heart, your soul, and your mind...I just want you to be happy with whatever happens, and that includes saving your life...We can't force you, only you can choose who you want to be...", looking into his eyes as she caressed his cheek with a gentle smile and a hand.
Waylon exhaled, hearing similar words of a memory that Caroline said, echoing in his mind, and listened to his heart, taking a deep breath as he spoke, "I choose who to be...I am Waylon Jones, son of Caroline and Alfred, brother of Jane, friend of Bruce, Martha, Kel, and hopeful boyfriend of Poppy, and I'm a fighter to the end.", with a determined, decided look.
The others smiled, their hearts swelling at the declaration of Waylon, and Poppy especially was the most obvious, smiling with wide, hopeful eyes, "That's the Waylon Jones I know...", kissing his cheek, and Waylon smiled, blushing softly before looking at Leslie, "Prep that potion, Dr. Leslie, I want to take the best chance to keep living.", with a nod.
"Alright then.", Leslie nodded. "What exactly do you want planned?", she asked the others. "Would you be willing to stay for a while or would you like to go back home and leave Waylon with me for the time until we proceed?".
"I don't think any of us are willing to go home, we can sleep here if need be.", Alfred said. Waylon gave a bit quirk of a smile, realizing that Poppy was right...They ain't going anywhere anytime soon. "Can they, Dr. Leslie?".
Leslie replied, "Good thing I had the sense to get one of the construction groups to build a bedroom of cots for the chance any of my people or I am needing sleep. Come on, all of you. ", with a gesture for them to follow her, and so, they did.
The family settled into the bedroom of cots, with Waylon shy again, but happy to have Poppy cuddling with him as they fell asleep since it seemed to make him feel a tiny bit better, and all.
Leslie worked on making the protein medicine to work together with Waylon's immune system for a few hours, glad that she had the template still in her very private hard drive, and finished it successfully, heading back to the cot bedroom, gently waking up Waylon to drink it as Poppy fetched some water for him to wash it down.
Waylon grimaced as he groaned, finishing it in one big shot, "Oh, God, that's even worse than cough medicine...", giving a small grateful smile at Poppy, "Thanks.", as he then sipped the water to wash it down.
Leslie replied, "So I've been told.", with a chuckle, "Give it at least 30 minutes to let it digest and work through you, and then you tell me how you feel if you are ready to take the gamma ray waves, alright, Waylon?".
"Alright... and thank you again, Dr. Thompkins...", Waylon said. "In the event of whatever happens...", with a light sigh. "Don't say that, Waylon... I got through it... if anything for the better... you will too, I think.", Martha tried to encourage him.
Waylon glanced at Martha, "You have faith?", and Martha replied, "Not as much as faith as I do more with belief. I do believe that you will get through this.".
Kel in her astral form nodded, "Me too. You deserve to live, to fight, to choose who you are, kiddo. You will always be family, and you gotta believe in that at least.".
"Thank you…", Waylon started to sniffle before he then walked towards Alfred who still was staying a bit quieter at the moment, but everyone knew why; what was at risk and such…
Alfred looked at his son, and Waylon spoke softly, "Dad...Those past four years were the best I had, and last year...I regret more about running away and not confronting my fears sooner...but having your forgiveness and yet you treated me still as your son since then, I hope I was at least a good one for you...".
"You are a good one, Waylon...", Alfred whispered as he motioned that he wanted to share a hug with him though they had to be careful with the injuries and such so it took a few moments before they found the right angle to hug.
Alfred's tears threatened to fall, but he held them back, praying with all his belief that his son would make it through, and whispered, "All those moments as father and son, I will never forget, as long as I live, and I know I was occupied often with your mother, but we never neglected you...You are one of the greatest gifts I ever had in this life, and I believe that you can do this. I know it's okay to be scared, son, and all...I will not blame you if it suddenly became too much on you, and I promise I'll try not to blame myself either...if it happens, I do hope your mother grounds you in heaven for a while, but do hug her and Jane for me, would you?", with a watery chuckle.
"Okay, I will...", Waylon chuckled as he teared up. "I do think you'll make it, Waylon... I feel you've got too much for you hear to be willing to let it all go...", Alfred told him.
"Yeah... if I never met any of you... if it was just Mama and myself, and when she died... honestly, I would've probably just been fine succumbing...", Waylon exhaled with a sigh.
Alfred sighed deeply, having a feeling that he might have been right about that scenario, and kissed Waylon on the forehead, "I love you, son. No matter what or how old you are, you will always be my son.".
Waylon sniffed, "And you will always be my father, Alfred Pennyworth...I love you, Dad...Keep living for Martha, Kel, Bruce, and Poppy, okay, until it's your time to go, okay?", and Alfred nodded before letting him go.
Bruce was approached next, and he warmly hugged Waylon with one arm like a brother, "Hey, bro...I'd buy anything to get a normal cure, without all this pain and fuss, you know?", and Waylon gave a watery chuckle, "I know you could...You remember everything I taught you, eh?".
"Waylon, I got them on file, and I practice almost every day, I'd honor part of my fighting protocol for you...Hell, I'd gladly clobber any mobbers who hurt single mothers with sons, just for you, and be the best detective to solve cold cases if I could...", Bruce replied with a determined look.
Waylon smiled, "You already are...Batman, the Greatest Detective of Gotham. You take care of all the girls including Poppy, and find a girl for yourself, hmm?", and Bruce blushed, smiling sadly, "You can bet on that. I really believe that you will get through this, but if it's too much, and something happens, say hello to Dad for us, wouldn't you, after you hug Caroline and Jane?".
"You can count on me there, Bruce.", Waylon smiled, patting his back, and Bruce smiled gratefully, letting go of him, and then he had two hugs by Martha and Kel, with kisses on the cheeks, treating him as a son-in-law, as they said practically they needed to say earlier, knowing that Waylon don't have to repeat his word on seeing Thomas after being reunited with Caroline and Jane if he couldn't take it.
Then finally, not last, but not least, he walked up to Poppy near the door of the cot bedroom, as Poppy's tears fell, looking at each other, before Poppy whispered softly, "You gotta fight with all the grit you got, Waylon Jones...There's so much I...I want to say, I want to know, having a future...I don't know if I could feel safe and happy with someone else like I do with you...".
"You really have your heart set on me, don't you?", Waylon asked as she nodded. "Yeah... maybe it might be just a schoolgirl crush, and I might grow out of it...", Poppy admitted. "But at this moment... I really just find myself...". She closed her eyes and teared up as she hugged him tightly. "Please, Waylon... don't leave me...", she whimpered.
Waylon hugged her back as just tightly as possible, without putting too much strain on his injured arm, and whispered, "Poppy...You are the most beautiful, wonderful, amazing girl who loves to play pranks and loves to help people, while keeping up your smarts in school I've ever known...It hurts me to leave you like this, but I need to take this chance...I swear I'd get through it with all the grit I got...I want to know a future with you too...".
Poppy sniffled, looking up into his eyes, "Wally...", and Waylon gave a soft smile, "I want you to be happy if something happens to me during this...I want you to know love...even if you want to be determined and single as a mother like Mama, or your mother and mama, in case if you don't find the next love, you deserve to know love in being a mother, either by donor or adoption...Ever since I got the talk and all from Mama, I had an idea of what to call my own child if it was a girl, I would be honored if you, by chance, get a daughter by adoption or donor, if you call her Daphne, to honor the day I saved you from the river...".
Tears filled Poppy's eyes even more as she gave a soft sob, "That's a perfect name...Daphne...I love it...You really were surrounded by girls almost all your life.", with a watery laugh.