"Hey, it might just be a bad infection, just some simple anti-biotics...", Bruce tried to argue. "I hope it is that, Bruce, but as I said... all options.", Alfred sighed as Bruce gave a reluctant nod; hopeful that things might not need to go that far.
Martha exhaled, "Let's try to relax and check our luggage. We will wake them up five minutes before the plane lands, so we can be secured in seats then.", and both men nodded in agreement.
And so, 25 minutes passed for the family, and after Martha checked with the cockpit, she nodded to Alfred, and they walked to the couch bed to either side of the couple.
It didn't take much longer before finally the plane touched down again and everyone quickly got their things and helped Waylon off while still keeping him fairly hidden.
"How are you feeling?", Alfred asked him as they helped him towards one of the cars that was waiting for them. Alfred planned on taking it to Thompkins' labs within Wayne Entreprises.
"About the same...", Waylon admitted. "Maybe a tiny bit better...". Poppy had a small smile on her face by hearing that, that what she was doing perhaps helped in a way.
They were a bit embarrassed when they saw their parents waking them up, but they reassured them that they are fine with them just plainly sleeping and occasionally kissing.
Waylon still can't believe that he literally slept through no issues of puking, stomachaches, and such, all because he was content with Poppy in his arms like she wished for, and Poppy herself was happy that she wasn't pushed away or such but felt so safe and content in his arms.
They aren't entirely sure as the situation with Waylon is prominent than the situation of calling themselves as budding boyfriend/girlfriend or whatever, but they agreed to just be there for each other right now.
Bruce glanced at the car, "Well, don't worry, just a few more feet to the car, and then you can rest for a bit.", glad that Alfred's idea about Waylon wearing Thomas' old clothes and hoodie is helping hide him.
"Yeah... rest...", Waylon sighed as he closed his eyes before they finally reached it and helped him inside. "Would you like us to stay back? Get another car from somewhere?", Bruce asked Alfred. "Just let Waylon have the backseat all to himself while you and Mom take him to Dr. Thompkins?".
Waylon asked pleadingly, "Not wanna be alone...", and Martha replied, "Well, you heard him...", while holding the wrapped bundle of the chimes. And so, they piled in like before, with Bruce sitting up front with Alfred, with Martha on one side, while Poppy helped Waylon rest his head on her lap as he cozied up like a curled up little kid, stroking his head.
Waylon sighed contentedly, feeling safe in Poppy's arms, resting his eyes as Poppy kissed him on the temple, and so, the car left the airport, heading to Wayne Entreprises, to one of the sub-employee underground parking lots. Kel's mental voice replied, "It's almost scary, Martha, seeing us in Poppy and Thomas in Waylon when they do the embrace into sleep. I really hope Alfred is wrong, but we have to know thoroughly, and Leslie is the one to provide answers...".
"Yeah...", Martha mentally responded back. "Honestly, things feel almost too similar between them and Thomas and I... but at least with this case, maybe it's something that doesn't need to go too drastic with things. Just get Waylon some needed medicine and he'll be right as rain in some weeks.".
Kel mentally sighed, "I wish I could be sure, but I don't know at this point...", and Martha mentally nodded, "I know...All the same, we have to be there for Poppy and Alfred, with Bruce at our side. By now, Leslie would make sure that she's one of the very few late ones in Wayne Entreprises at this hour...like last time...God, has it been truly over 10 years now?".
"A bit more... the time's really been passing...", Kel mentally said as Martha looked at herself in the mirror. She was in her mid 40s now but still looked like she had barely aged a day since the treatment. Martha's mind was slowly starting to worry if folks would be asking questions. Right now, good genes could be a passible excuse but what happens in another few decades when she's in her 60s and still might look like she's younger than Bruce would be?
She would worry about it after she helps with Waylon's situation. After all, Alfred has been her oldest friend, her dearest brother-figure, and she owes him so much for being there for her, Kel, Bruce, and Poppy since Thomas' death. After all, Waylon is the only one left in Alfred's deeply involved heart after Caroline and Jane, and she can't bear seeing Alfred suffer thrice...It was one thing losing Thomas, but to lose Caroline, Jane in almost one shot, and then this...
"Are we almost there?", Poppy asked which brought Martha back to reality. "Almost, just a few more streets. I'm trying to put a bit of a hurry into things...", Alfred said as he turned another corner.
"First things first, we just find out what's wrong... does Aunt Leslie have the equipment to find things out fairly quick, especially if it's just herself?", Bruce asked.
Martha replied, "Of course she does. She's a scientist. She isn't just our family doctor, Bruce. And now with better technology and all, finding out what's wrong will be faster and easier with her help no matter what. You know we told her about Waylon often when she visits the manor, as after all, Waylon is going to live in the manor and the caverns to his wishes and personal space.".
Bruce nodded, "Yeah, you're right, you're right...I just...I just wanted to check double sure, you know?", and Alfred replied, "It's normal to be like that, Bruce. I had done that when I called her. It's Waylon on the line, and he's literally part of this family. Not far now, just one more block, and then into the sub-parking garage under Wayne Entreprises, just like last time.", gazing briefly to see his son slumbering as much as comfortable he could be on Poppy's lap, glad that he hasn't been puking thus far since hours ago.
"Will we need any distractions or need to draw attention away?", Martha asked as Alfred sighed, "No idea; Leslie didn't exactly mention anything about that, but I have to imagine that perhaps it might not be as needed this time around as opposed to all those years ago. After all, you're not having to watch your back like Thomas was with the members of the board.".
Martha sighed softly, "That's very true, but it's not me or Poppy or even Bruce, this is Waylon, your boy, but he's still conscious of his appearance. I hope Leslie saw to that the paparazzi is well off gone...I don't want that on you, Alfred, or on him...It's one thing that he's badly ill, but another thing if he was caught on camera.".
"Don't worry, Mom, Dad's clothes are more than enough to hide him, and it's dark...I mean, okay, I didn't get all the details of the story exactly, but it's going to be alright...We won't leave him alone, and he needs all the help he can get. I'm just shocked that he took Alfred's word to trust Aunt Leslie even if he never met her, even if we told stories of her at the shack and all with Caroline and him.".
Poppy replied, "Brucie's right, Mom. He got this, I know it...", before tenderly gazing at Waylon as she gently caressed his back, as Alfred replied, "Underground garage's in sight. We'll give him a couple more minutes as we check the coast around our parking spot and then wake him up. Bruce, you help walk Waylon with me and Poppy, you take the chimes as Caroline and Jane deserves to be here in a way from their spot in Heaven in presence as I am sure Waylon would want their observing support during whatever Leslie's doing, while Martha is in front with Kel out in astral form. Kel would warn us if anyone else besides Leslie is around, but I doubt it, yet to be safe all the same.".
"Alright then.", Alfred then took a deep breath before the final turn, and they made their way inside. After quietly parking, they got out and slowly helped Waylon into Leslie's lab.
"Easy, easy...", Leslie said the moment she heard the doors open and saw them. "Is this him?", she asked as they came in.
Alfred nodded, "Yes, this is my son, Waylon Jones. Waylon, this is Dr. Leslie Thompkins, the one who was behind the gamma transformation and cure for Martha and Kel.".
Waylon peered at her through the hoodie, "I honestly thought you'd be mean-looking and all...I guess I heard too many bullies' lies and such...", with a sheepish smile.
Leslie gave a warm, patient smile, "Oh, I am not offended...I got used to seeing Kel, and of course, Bruce, when he occasionally pops up in my clinic as Batman, through Martha grounds him afterwards. It's safe to talk of sensitive things. I disabled the cameras and all, running black for the security cop on the other side of the building. Let's get you on one of the counters, and do all the tests including the blood draw, like a hospital exam, and see how that arm is...I know you said it's bad, Alfred, but it couldn't be that bad, could it?", as Bruce helped Waylon to the counter that Leslie pointed out.
"Trust me, it's bad.", Alfred sighed. "I wished it wasn't but... he's in pretty rough shape...", with a frown. "Well, start getting most of his clothes off, so I can see as much as I can... and Waylon, I understand you have a rare genetic condition?", Leslie asked as Waylon gave a small grunting confirmation before he slowly started to remove his upper half of clothes.
Leslie's eyes widened the moment she saw him before she took a deep breath. Leslie replied, "I see what you mean by surviving a bite a normal person can't, Alfred.", before asking gently, "Had your mother said anything about her family and all?".
"Ma, she said that her parents were pretty much born Cajun and been outside almost all their lives under the sun, having sun-kissed skin and all...She didn't say much about the donor, just that he didn't want commitment, only making an agreement in not paying for childcare support and all as Ma wanted to be in charge on her own and all...", Waylon replied as he gazed at the chimes that was put up by one of the floor lights by Poppy.
Alfred replied, "Caroline had told me that the donor was from up north and that he was pretty much clean of his health from what the surrogacy center said to her.", and Leslie nodded, "So, must have skipped a couple generations then...Now, I'm going to unwrap those bandages from your arm and start the exam, alright?", stepping closer with no fear or disgust which Waylon was surprised to see, having half expected to see fear and disgust in Dr. Leslie's eyes.
"Alright... just...", Waylon groaned again. "It's pretty bad, ma'am.", Alfred told her as Leslie nodded. "I've seen bad before... trust me.", Leslie said as they nodded before she got to removing his bandages.
Leslie blinked in stunned astonishment, "By Jesus Christ...I have seen dog bites, occasional zoo bites, but this is putting a new record...Waylon, I'm going to see how far this guy went...Tell me when I ask at every point of the exam on this arm, and then we'll do a blood draw, alright?".
Waylon grunted with a nod, "Okay...", and Leslie went to prod the arm with her fingers, starting at the wrist to the hand, "Do you feel that?".
"Yeah... I mean, I can save you time... I still feel and can move my arm...", Waylon told her. "Very well, but let's be sure about this, okay?", Leslie touched another place which earned a nod from him and kept going. "What exactly bit you again?".
"Crocodile, a weird one too, he seemed like he wanted me more than the boar I had just killed and was carrying...", Waylon said with a frown.
Leslie nodded, "Huh...Most crocodiles are wary of humans until they step into their territory or accidentally step on their nest...", and Waylon replied, "Definitely a male, and almost as big as me...It happened so fast...Cuts, claw marks, this eye, and this arm...It hurt like nothing I'd had before...I think he was majorly hungry, maybe angry...He was heavy for a male too, but he was skinny, well, not healthy skinny, but like hungry or sickly skinny...I don't know...I just knew I had to get back home and call Dad...I walked for a couple hours between my bugout bayou shelter, and such to get to the shack, and then I lost time between trying to clean up everything off me and falling asleep or trying to drink water after calling Dad.".
"Skinny, sickly, you say?", Leslie raised an eyebrow as Waylon nodded, "Yeah... now that you said that... probably he had something, didn't he?". Waylon could practically hear the pin drop as everyone went deathly quiet. "We need to run that blood work very quickly then and see what it is...", Leslie commented.
Martha replied, "You might need to get one of the normalized special ones.", as Kel nodded, grimacing slightly at the memory of occasional blood tests from her and Martha, to compare, through Leslie burned the samples right afterwards, not going to betray her family as she saw Martha as a sister figure, and Kel as a dear friend, with Bruce and Poppy as nephew and niece, and Alfred as a cousin figure or something.
Alfred nodded, "Waylon's condition made his skin tougher than most people.", and Leslie hummed, "Right...", before moving to the desk nearby to get a normalized special needle and such.
"I hate blood draws...", Waylon complained, and Poppy walked to sit up and hold Waylon's good arm, squeezing his hand, "Hey, look at me, Wally...You're going to love your room in the manor, we all put some work into making it comfortable and you got a fabulous view of the woods as it would make you feel at home somewhat, and there's a perfect spot for the chimes on your own balcony.", intending to distract him.
Bruce followed her plan, nodding, "Yeah, and we got two pools, indoor and outdoor, so, when the staff is gone per week after their occasional few days of work per week, you can swim any time you want!", with a grin, and Kel chuckled, "And you could hike through the woods to check out the cavern shore by the bay, there's plenty of space where you could track animals for fun, through ask us if you want to have a hunting permit for the migrating herds of deer and such.".
"You all really do too much for me...", Waylon said as Alfred shook his head. "Waylon, you are family... we'd do anything for family; don't even forget that...", he told him as Waylon gave a small nod.
"Yeah... I suppose you're right... I just forget sometimes since it hasn't always been like this for much of my life... Just me and Mama...", Waylon sighed softly.
Alfred smiled sadly as he patted Waylon's knee gently, "I know...But Caroline and Jane are always with us, even if we can't see them anymore, and I know they would want you to get better from this, to be happy tomorrow and the rest of your life. They never will really leave us as long as we love them.", as Leslie wiped and prepped Waylon's bad arm, to inject into Waylon's inner elbow for a good spot to do the blood draw.
"And we ain't going anywhere, Wally.", Poppy nodded determinedly, and Waylon gave a small smile, stifling tears back as he focused on Poppy, ignoring the pain of the needle, whispering, "You especially aren't going to let me forget that, are you, Poppy?", intertwining gently of his good hand in her fingers, as Poppy raised it to kiss Waylon's knuckles.
"Nope, you're stuck with us, I'm afraid...", Poppy giggled at her teasing as Waylon rolled his eyes while Leslie finished. "Okay, finally got it... well, at least you're certainly human under the skin... looks like normal blood.", she said as Waylon sighed.
Leslie started to walk away while Alfred followed her. "What do you think?", he asked her when they were out of earshot of the others.
"Well, I need to quickly run my tests to be sure of what he might have. Could be a normal infection that some simple medicine would fix... or it could be something very serious.", Leslie admitted to him. "And I think I know what's probably on your mind, especially since we're here...".
"I know. It would be a very last resort, but I don't know if Waylon might have the time like Martha did with all her other treatments... if we could go almost a year at least trying all sorts of other things, then we could mostly forego your work until the end but...", Alfred sighed as he closed his eyes.