Scott decided to make a deal with Emma. He would bring her books and little "snacky things" as she called it, if she would help with the research for the team. She had told him that most of the "piggies" were fine, except for the baby she had called George. Apparently he had trouble walking, and when Scott saw which warthog she meant, he decided it was a result of the radiation. That was both fascinating and depressing to him. Not only for the hog, which would have a low chance of surviving on its own, but for Emma herself. From what he could tell she had been here for about three months already. She was blue with cold until Scott made her put on the socks and cover up, and looked a little thin. He vowed he would have to bring her food since she refused to leave with him. Three months in Pripyat, Scott thought to himself. He wondered if the radiation was strong in this area. Looking at the little girl asleep beside him, he worried. He thought of all the ways he could test it, or at least her. It was then that Scott got an idea. As he stood up, Charlie Bear fell out of his lap. Scott picked the bear up, dusted him off and put him next to Emma, who instantly snuggled up to the bear in her sleep. The team was to come back later that day to look for the warthogs again, and this time Scott thought he would insist they test the soil for radiation levels. He tiptoed out of the house and out of the plaza, all the way back to the bush he had fallen in, and his car. This time climbing the fence yielded better results, for which he was glad. As he got in his car, Scott found some paper and made a quick list of things he would have to bring Emma. A sudden idea struck him, and Scott wrote down a quick note for Emma. He had a plan that he hoped would work. Making his way back home, Scott fell into bed, exhausted, and looked at the clock. It was 2:30 AM. He groaned, knowing tomorrow he was going to be tired. But it was worth it, he thought, for Emma. Falling asleep, Scott's only dream was of falling snow.
Scott woke up the next morning to his alarm, and a nasty headache. Half asleep and in a zombie-like state, he got dressed, grabbed his keys and some coffee, and went to work. Scott thought for a minute and looked at his watch. He would have a little time before work, he thought he could get things for Emma from the store. The first thing he did was stop at a clothing store, trying to find some boots, a jacket, and maybe some clothes for her. He settled on some boots that might have been a little big, but he hoped she would grow into them. He also got a jacket lined with faux fur, hoping it would be warm. He got a few outfits for her, too. As the cashier rung up his items, she made small talk. "Buying clothes for your daughter for winter?" she asked casually. Scott looked up and thought for a minute before giving a half smile and nodding. It was easier to lie than to tell the truth. If he told people he was taking care of a girl in Pripyat, he would be arrested for trespassing, and Emma would have to go back to her aunt and uncle. He got a few more things from other stores on the street. A few books she could read, a pillow, some sweets, and another stuffed animal he hoped she would like. It was a pink rabbit, and he hoped it would replace Charlie Bear. The old teddy had seen better days, and was likely from the town when the plant had a melt down. Scott had to hurry to work but was still five minutes late. Anosova and Gusev were filling out paperwork before their expedition back into Chernobyl, and commented on Scott's timing. The team set off towards the gate, but found it strange when Scott decided to take his own car today instead of going with the team. They shrugged it off and told him to not be late this time. Scott stopped on the way and hid the packages for Emma behind the bush he had fallen in, hoping nobody would see them except for her. He met the team at the gate as they prepared to probe into the ruins a second time.
