Fibre Mortem: Rhesus Factor

10

"So what you're saying is that Nora broke protocol, walked into your cell and began kissing you while you were in a delirious state?"

I couldn't believe this. This was like one of my nightmares or something. My mind was reeling and quite frankly, I was exhausted from everything that had happened that day.

Nathan sat on his cot, shivering but he nodded. "I wasn't completely delirious. I knew what she was doing, I just didn't have the strength to stop her."

"I'm not saying I'm blaming you and maybe I should have tipped you off but your wild flirtatious streak is what got all of you into trouble. She's boy crazy...or was." I stare blankly at the sheet covered body before me.

I wait a few minutes before I start to speak again.

"I can easily determine why she turned, I overheard Mary asking her about her cold sore. It was obvious it was still open from looking at her, but what I can't figure out is why and how she turned so quickly and I'm afraid that I'm going to have to open her up and run more tests to figure this out."

"Has anyone ever told you how adorable you are when you're thinking. I like my women smart." Nathan coughs up more blood, and I just don't have the fight in me to be snarky with him.

"Nate, you should really lie down and conserve what energy you have."

"What? No sarcastic comments about my flirtatious nature? I find that almost offensive if you didn't look so damn sad." He coughs again and shivers.

"Yeah, today hasn't been that great. So, can you make things easier for me and just lay your ass down or do I have to come in there and strap you down?"

He shrugs and then shockingly lays down. "Who am I to argue? I kind of really feel like shit."

"I can only imagine dude. You got the mother of all viruses. If you have the strength, I wouldn't mind listening to your symptoms."

"Oh, that reminds..me. I had Nora write down some more information about my patient history. I hope you find it helpful." He waves his hand in a general direction.

"Oh, thank you. I'll look into as soon as I can and I hope you're right. I hope it's helpful."

"Can I ask you a question?" He's got his eye closed, just laying there. If I didn't know better, I would think he was dead, but I know better.

"God, Nate. Is that all you every think about? How about we use the brain upstairs mmkay?" I joke around, trying to at least be friendly while he waits to expire. I know this can't be easy and I'm sure he'd prefer that he was already dead.

He chuckles but shortly after has to stop. His discomfort too painful to bare. "No, though that put a lovely image in the head upstairs that wasn't it. I've just noticed there's a lot to you that I don't think anyone else stops to think about. Like I'm almost positive you aren't doing this research for your dad. Am I right?"

Part of me wants to tell him because I feel so bad for him. The other half is screaming not to do it. It might be the irrational part of me, I haven't spoken this to anyone and even though I suspect that Reese might be catching on, I don't want it getting out that I actually don't want to continue to kill zombies.

"It's okay if you don't want to tell me, I get it, although I'm gonna be a dead man soon so I don't think I'd have any reason to tell anyone."

I finish writing down possible hypotheses, and look at him, "You're right. I gotta trust someone and it might as well be a dying man. Dead men tell no tales and all that jazz, right?"

"Now you're talking! I like the way you think. So spill Lovely Lively."

I set out on telling him my entire thoughts about what I've been doing. I leave nothing to the imagination. I go about doing Nora's autopsy as I do, making note of things I see. So far, everything looked okay until I came across her pancreas.

"Oh man. That's a tough pill to swallow, I said mid-sentence of my story to Nate."

Intrigued he sits up a bit, "What did you find?"

"Well, our gal Nora here had pancreatic cancer. It's end stage. I don't think she even knew. I can't be certain," I say inspecting the the organs, " but I'm willing to bet that this is why she turned so fast."

"Well, if you're thinking that's it, who am I to tell you any different? You're the expert." He lies back down and covers up this time.

I write my findings down and then call for someone to notify everyone about Nora. It isn't long and it turns out to be Reese.

"I didn't think they'd send a Scavenger for this." I say finishing her stitches.

"Everyone else was preoccupied. What happened?"

Before I can answer, Nathan does. "Dude, you missed Lively's epic show of total badassery. I'd be worried if I were you, she knows how to handle herself."

Reese double takes and looks at me for confirmation, I answer by lifting up the sheet to reveal Nora's change in features. He closes his eyes apologetically, "Were you hurt?"

"No, luckily. I think I can thank you for that one."

"Oh la-la," snarks Nate.

If looks could kill, I think Nathan would have died in that moment. I've got Reese pegged as a ticking time bomb, and now it's worse knowing that our relationship has taken a turn in undiscovered territory.

"Reese, can you please go let her family know?" I try to divert the impending explosion of fury I am certain will happen at some point. I don't want it to be today.

"You better listen to her Lover Boy, wouldn't want her thinking you aren't whipped."

"You know what Nath--" He goes to shout but I cut him off with a kiss. I didn't know what else to do, and while I probably wouldn't have done this before, I don't think my other tactics at redirection will cut it.

It works, maybe a little too well, because I feel him soften against me. I also feel myself soften against him though and it takes all that I have to pull away. Breathless, "Can you please go tell her family?"

He nods and kisses my forehead, then just as fast as he blew in, he walks out again.

Nathan whistles,"Well, aren't things evolving between you. Never pegged you to fall for a guy like that."

"Yeah, well, last I checked it's the apocalypse, I don't think there are many options and who's to say he isn't my type?" I stare him down because now he's just being an asshole. A sick and dying one, but still, an asshole.

"Listen, Doll. That may be the case but I agree to disagree. He's not your type."

"Oh? and who then? You?" I challenge, growing angry myself.

"Well, actually...Yeah."

"You've got to me kidding me. Nathan, You're a flirt. That's SO not my type. Also, last I remember you're in that cell dying from the Fibre Mortem virus." I rush around trying to clean everything up. I really don't want to talk to Nathan. Not after that. Because I don't want to admit he's right. If he weren't dying, he'd totally be my type.

He quiets down, but I'm not ready to deal with him. I'm not ready to be cordial, so I start washing my hands to leave.

"What, you're not going to kiss me good night Lively?" Nathan snarks out. The tone is anything but playful.

I stop mid-dry, shaking I'm so angry. Angry at myself for letting him get to me, angry at him for being this way. Angry at Reese for opening a door I didn't want explored.

I turn around and calmly make my way to the window. He sits up, expecting me to say something I assume and I do, oh I do. It isn't what he wants to hear, "Bite me Nathan, you pompous ass."

I'm almost out of the lab doors when I hear him say, "Don't worry Lively, I'm sure I'm going to want to soon."